Question: What do I do if I have technical problems when applying online?
Answer: Here are some solutions that could help you with technical issues.

Problems downloading, opening or uploading a PDF form
We have some answers that could help.

How do I download and open a PDF form from IRCC’s website?
I can’t open my application form in PDF format. What can I do?
After I click on the Validate button on my application form, nothing happens, and I don’t see the barcodes. Why?
My documents are too large to upload. How do I reduce the file size?
I don’t see the option to upload documents in my account, even though IRCC has asked for them. What do I do?

Find more answers about technical issues with PDF forms and other aspects of applying online.


IRCC secure account – While you’re applying
Technical problems – Filling out an application or trying to upload documents
If you can’t find a solution in our answers about technical issues

Use the Report a technical issue button at the top of your account to share the issue with us.
			
An agent will respond to you as soon as they can. Our response time can vary depending on overall volume of enquiries.



If you’re in Canada and applying to work or study
In some cases, you need to follow special instructions to complete your application, or you may need to apply on paper. Find out if this applies to you.


All online applications – While you're applying or after you submit your application
This includes the IRCC secure account, the IRCC Portal, the online citizenship application, the Permanent Residence Portal and all other types of online accounts with us.
If the technical problem is not addressed by our answers about technical issues

Use our web form to report a technical problem.

To help us find and solve the issue as fast as possible, follow the steps below.


Personal information and description of the issue
Include the following details on the web form:

surname (last name)
given name(s)
date of birth
country of birth
the type of device you were using (PC, Mac, iPad, etc.)
the browser you were using (including version)
your general location (Africa, Asia, Europe, etc.)
description of the problem or error message, including the date and time (including time zone) it happened
screenshots of the page where you had the problem
a copy/paste text of the full URL of the page
as much information as possible about the steps you took before you had the problem



Additional details about your application
If you have any or all of the following, also include them on the web form:

Unique Client Identifier (UCI)/Client ID Number
				
If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.


application number
				
If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.


personal reference code
current status in Canada and the date of expiration
the date you applied



Screenshots or other documents that show us what the problem is
Showing us what the technical issue is (for example, the messages you may have seen on screen) and when exactly it happened will help us better understand what you experienced and will allow us to provide the right solution.
For technical issues uploading a form or document, include

a copy of the form or document you’re trying to upload (with all fields completed), and
all your answers to the online questionnaire
					
To do this
							
choose “Modify my Answers” at the top of the page
save your answers into a document by
									
taking screen shots or
copying and pasting the text







For technical issues linking your application to a new account, include

all your answers on the “Link an existing application to this account” page. Save them in a document by
					
taking screenshots or
copying and pasting the text



For all other technical issues, include

screenshots showing the full browser window of the
					
page where you’re having problems or trying to sign into your account
error message(s) you got






If you need to send many documents and images, find out how to combine documents.


We’ll try to answer within 10 business days after you contact us. Our response time is dependent on the volume of enquiries we receive.
Please do not send your question more than once. It can delay our answer.

Make sure that your enquiry is as complete as possible before you submit a web form.