Every year, thousands of eager travellers face unexpected delays or denial of boarding at airline check-in counters due to simple, avoidable errors made during their online Canada eTA application.

1. Mistyping the Passport Number (The Number One Error)

The most frequent error is entering the letter "O" instead of the number "0", or the letter "I" instead of the digit "1". Because airline systems scan the machine-readable zone (MRZ) on your physical passport, any discrepancy between the passport number on your eTA and the real passport will prevent airline staff from verifying your boarding authorization.

Warning:

If your passport number has even one wrong digit, the eTA cannot be amended. A brand new application must be submitted immediately with the correct number.

2. Confusing Country of Nationality with Country of Issue

Many applicants mistakenly select the country where their passport was printed or delivered instead of the country of their legal citizenship. For British Citizens born or living abroad, selecting the correct nationality code (GBR) is vital for automated clearance.

3. Entering Incorrect Names or Leaving Out Middle Names

Always enter your given names exactly as they appear on the biographical page of your passport. If your passport includes two middle names, include them in the given names field in the identical order.

4. Submitting Expired Passport Information

If you renewed your passport after obtaining an eTA, your old eTA is automatically void. An eTA cannot be transferred from an old passport to a new one; you must submit a fresh application for your new passport.

How Our Review Team Protects You

When you apply through our service, experienced document specialists cross-reference your passport data, issuing country codes, and dates against international standards to detect errors before submission to IRCC, helping you travel with total confidence.