Step-by-step guide to IEC Canada work permits — International Co-op, Young Professionals and Working Holiday applications

Creating your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada account is a two-step process:

• Step 1: Create a Government of Canada login (GCKey) or, if you’re already in Canada, you can use a “Sign-In Partner” (i.e. your Canadian online banking login info). Chances are you don’t have a bank account in Canada yet, so we’re focusing on the GCKey login method here.
• Step 2: Create your account, providing the requested personal info.

Step1: Creating a GCKey

Click “Create an account” or sign in. Click “Continue to GCKey.”

On the next page, click “Sign Up” on the right.

Take a moment to read the terms and conditions of use and click “I accept.” Then, pick a suitable username. Make sure to write it down; you’re going to need it every time you log in to your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada account.

Make sure you meet the requirements described in the checklist on the right—your username must be between 8 and 16 characters, no special characters, and it can’t have more than 7 digits. Write it down (yes, we’ve just said it, but trust us!) and click “Continue.”

Now it’s time to create a password.

See the checklist? Yep, it’s even longer this time—your password must be very secure. If you miss one of the requirements, you’ll see a small X beside the requirements. If your password meets the requirements, you’ll see a green checkmark.

Write your password down or memorise it. Keep in mind that, unlike your email, you probably won’t log in to your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada account every day, so it’s easy to forget what seems unforgettable now. You can always email yourself your account info or use a password manager.

The Government of Canada expects that you might forget your password (Canadians are practical people…) so the next step is to create recovery questions, answers and hints in case you need to reset your password. Choose your questions and answers carefully to be able to work out the hints several months from now—there are no recovery questions for… well, recovery questions.

Click “Continue.” That’s it, you’ve now created your GCKey! Next, you will be redirected to the “Create an account” page.

Step 2: Creating your Immigration account

Okay, guys—this is not a fantasy football account. You actually have to provide your real personal info, i.e. the info as it appears on your passport. Enter your given name and last name exactly as they are written on your passport. Don’t use a comma between middle names; leave a space instead.

Enter your email address (check to make sure you typed it correctly!), choose your preferred language (English or French) and click “Continue.”

Now you have to create four security questions and answers. You can choose your own security questions.

You will have to answer one of these four questions every time you log into your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada account.

Click “Continue.” That’s it! You’ve just set up your account.

You should now be on your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada account homepage. Take a second to make sure your names and email address are spelled properly.