Checked against IRCC and Government of Canada sources on September 27, 2026.
IRCC gives a direct answer for eTA holders who get a new passport.
Short answer: if you get a new passport after receiving a Canada eTA, IRCC says you need to get a new eTA because the eTA is electronically linked to your passport. Keep that eTA/passport record separate from your visitor-status dates and Canada tax-day records.
Jetseen helps you track days - always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. For immigration-status questions, use IRCC and speak to a qualified immigration professional.
Do you need a new Canada eTA after a new passport?
Yes. IRCC says that if you get a new passport after receiving an eTA, you need to get a new eTA.
The reason is simple: IRCC says an eTA is electronically linked to the traveller's passport.
That means passport renewal is not just an administrative detail. If the passport changes, the travel-authorisation record connected to the old passport should not be treated as reusable for the new passport.
What should you check in the eTA approval email?
Government of Canada eTA material says the passport number in the eTA approval email should match the passport exactly. A mismatch may prevent boarding.
Before travelling, check:
- name
- passport number
- passport country
- passport expiry date
- eTA number or reference
- eTA approval date
- email address used for the eTA record
If the approval email does not match the passport you will travel with, do not hide the mismatch inside a generic "eTA approved" note. Treat it as a record issue that needs official review through IRCC or Canada.ca.
Where should you apply or check current eTA guidance?
Canada.ca is the official web page to apply for an eTA to travel to or transit through Canada.
Use the official Government of Canada eTA page for applications and current guidance. Do not rely on old screenshots, third-party fee pages, or a prior eTA note saved against an old passport.
For your private records, keep:
- official eTA application date
- eTA approval email
- passport used for that approval
- date you renewed or replaced the passport
- new eTA application date
- new eTA approval email
- first trip planned with the new passport
This creates a clean chain from old passport to new passport.
Is a Canada eTA the same as visitor status?
No.
An eTA is a travel-authorisation record connected to a passport. It is not the same as the authorized-stay record made at entry.
A Canada trip may involve several records:
| Record | What it answers |
|---|---|
| Passport | Which travel document you used |
| eTA | Whether the passport has the required electronic travel authorization |
| Entry record | What happened when you entered Canada |
| Visitor status | How long you are authorized to stay, if applicable |
| Visitor record | A document that may set or extend status in some cases |
| Canada tax-day record | Whether physical presence may matter for tax-residence review |
Do not collapse those into one note called "Canada visa." The eTA belongs to the passport. Visitor status belongs to the stay. Tax-day records belong to a different analysis.
Does a new passport or eTA reset your Canada stay days?
No. A new passport and a new eTA do not erase prior Canada trips.
Keep one continuous travel history across:
- old passport trips
- new passport trips
- old eTA record
- new eTA record
- Canada entries and exits
- visitor-status deadlines
- Canada tax-day records
If you are also tracking Canada tax-residency exposure, do not use the eTA date as a tax clock. Canada tax-residence questions can depend on physical presence, residential ties, deemed-resident rules, and treaty questions. Bring the timeline to a qualified tax professional.
What should you track after passport replacement?
Use a short passport-change record.
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Old passport | country, number, expiry date |
| Old eTA | approval date, email, expiry if shown |
| New passport | country, number, issue date, expiry date |
| New eTA | application date, approval email, reference |
| First Canada trip after renewal | planned entry date, route, airline |
| Actual trip dates | entry date, exit date, status notes |
| Visitor-status record | any stamp, visitor record, or deadline note |
| Advisor file | Canada day count and tax-residence notes |
The goal is not to store sensitive details casually. Store only what you need, keep it private, and make sure each record matches the document used for that trip.
What if the passport number is wrong?
The Government of Canada eTA material warns that the passport number in the eTA approval email should match the passport exactly.
If the passport number is wrong, do not assume the airline or border process will fix it at the last minute. Use official Government of Canada eTA resources to check current instructions.
For your own record, keep:
- incorrect approval email, if one exists
- passport number shown in the email
- correct passport number from the document
- date you noticed the mismatch
- date of any new application or correction attempt
- date of the next planned trip
That record may help you explain what happened later, but it does not replace the official eTA process.
Where Jetseen fits
Jetseen is the private record layer beside IRCC and Canada.ca systems.
Use official Government of Canada systems to apply for an eTA, check eTA status, and review visitor-status guidance. Use a qualified professional for immigration or tax advice specific to your situation.
Use Jetseen to keep:
- Canada entry and exit records
- passport-change notes
- eTA approval and renewal reminders
- visitor-status deadline notes
- document attachments
- Canada day logs
- CSV exports for advisor review
Jetseen does not apply for a Canada eTA, validate an eTA, check IRCC systems, guarantee boarding, guarantee entry, decide visitor status, or determine Canada tax residence.
Related Jetseen guides
- Canada Visitor Status: The Six-Month Stay Is Not Your Visa Expiry Date
- Canada's 183-Day Deemed-Resident Rule: Why Residential Ties Come First
- Canada Digital Nomad Visitor Status: What Remote Workers Should Track
References
- 1IRCC Help CentreWhat happens if I get a new passport after I have received an eTA?
- 2Government of CanadaElectronic travel authorization
- 3Government of CanadaeTA approval PDF
- 4Government of CanadaValid passports and other travel documents needed to come to Canada
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax residency rules change frequently. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
