Does Changing Your GC Key Affect Your Visa Application? Full Guide by Globexa Immigration
When dealing with Canadian visa applications, the GCKey (Government of Canada Key) is a critical login system used to access various immigration services. However, many applicants and their family members are often concerned: What happens if I change or lose access to my GCKey? Does it impact the application negatively?
At Globexa Immigration, we’ve helped hundreds of applicants navigate this confusion. This blog will clear all misconceptions around GCKey changes and guide you step-by-step on how to retrieve or link your ongoing or old visa applications with a new GCKey.
1. What Is a GCKey?
GCKey is the official portal used to submit and track Canadian visa applications including:
Canada study visas
Spouse or family sponsorship visas
Work permits
Temporary resident visas
Permanent residency (PR) applications
GCKey allows users to log in securely and view the status of their immigration file. However, it’s important to understand that the GCKey is just a viewing platform—your actual application is not tied to it.
2. Common Misconceptions About GCKey
Let’s address the most frequent myths we hear from applicants:
1. Changing GCKey will negatively affect your visa application.
Wrong! The visa application is processed by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) based on details like your UCI (Unique Client Identifier), passport number, and application number, not your GCKey login.
2. You can’t submit a new application without the previous GCKey.
False again. You can submit multiple applications using different GCKeys. Even family members can have separate GCKeys for their applications.
3. You must use the same GCKey for all applications.
Incorrect. Each application can be submitted using a new GCKey. The system doesn’t link or require continuity through one account.
4. Losing your GCKey access means your application is lost.
No. Even if you lose access to the GCKey, your application continues processing as normal. The visa officer does not check whether you have access to your account.
3. When Do You Need a New GCKey?
You might need to create a new GCKey if:
Your consultant didn’t share login credentials with you.
You lost or forgot your username/password.
Your account got locked due to repeated incorrect login attempts.
You’re unable to recover access through the security questions or email.
At Globexa Immigration, we always share the GCKey credentials with our clients to maintain transparency. Unfortunately, that’s not common industry practice.
4. Will Creating a New GCKey Impact Your Application?
No. Creating a new GCKey has zero impact on your:
Current application
New application
Family member’s applications
The application is tied to your identity and application details—not your GCKey.
You can even submit a study permit extension, work permit, or spousal visa through a different GCKey than the original one.
5. Can You Link Your Old Application to a New GCKey?
Yes, absolutely. You can retrieve and link your current or even old visa applications to a new GCKey. Here’s what you need to do:
Step-by-Step Guide to Link Your Application to a New GCKey
Create a New GCKey
Go to the official GCKey portal and sign up with a new email ID. Set your username, password, and security questions.Log In and Click “Link Your Application to This Account”
After logging in, look for the “Link application to this account” option.Choose Application Type
Select the category based on your situation. For most users, it’s:Temporary Residence
Sub-category: Study permit, Work permit, Visitor visa, etc.
Provide Required Details
To successfully link your application, you’ll need the following:Application number
UCI number
Full name (given and last name as submitted)
Date of birth
Passport number
DLI number (for study permit)
Program start and end date (if applicable)
Submit the Information
Once submitted, the system will search for your application. If the information matches, your application will appear and get linked to your new GCKey.
6. Final Thoughts: What If You Can't Link It?
If you enter incorrect details or don’t have accurate immigration form data, the system won’t retrieve your application. In that case, request your GCMS notes or CAPs notes to access your file history, or work with a consultant like Globexa Immigration to guide you.
7. Summary: Key Takeaways
Changing your GCKey has no effect on your visa processing.
Each visa application is tied to your UCI, passport, and application number.
You can submit multiple applications with different GCKeys.
You can retrieve and link old or current applications to a new GCKey.
Losing GCKey access does not delay or cancel your application.
Need Help?
If you’re struggling with your GCKey, or if your consultant didn’t provide credentials, reach out to Globexa Immigration. Whether you’re inside or outside Canada, we assist with:
Study permit applications and extensions
Spouse open work permits
PR applications and PNPs
Family visas for parents and children
WhatsApp us today and let us take care of your immigration journey.
