New passport but your Canadian visa is in the old one? What IRCC says about travel, eTAs and permits

Key takeaways

A valid visa in an old passport may still be used to travel to Canada. You need to bring both the old passport with the visa and your new valid passport
You may need to explain why your old passport is not valid
IRCC recommends a new visa in your new passport to avoid delays at the border. It does not say this is required
IRCC does not describe a way to move a visa into a new passport. The option it names is to get a new visa
An eTA is linked to your passport. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA
IRCC cannot issue a work permit, study permit or visitor record valid past your passport expiry date. If you get a new passport after you arrive in Canada, you can apply to extend your stay

Valid visa in an old passport: bring both passports

IRCC’s Help Centre answer says you can travel to Canada with a valid visa in an old passport. You need to bring both: “your old passport with the valid visa (You may need to explain why your old passport isn’t valid.)” and “your new valid passport or travel document”.

IRCC adds: “Even though you can use a valid visa in an old passport, we recommend that you get a new visa in your valid passport to avoid delays at the border.”

IRCC’s passport and travel document page says: “If you have a valid visa in an old passport, you may still be able to use it to travel to Canada.” If you need a visa, you need at least 1 free passport page for a new visa.

Can you transfer the visa to the new passport?

IRCC does not describe a process for moving a visa into a new passport. The only alternative it names is to get a new visa. We did not find an IRCC sentence that says “no transfer”, so we do not claim one.

Getting a new visa is recommended, not required, while your old visa is still valid and you carry both passports. You need a new visa when the old one expires. IRCC’s visitor visa page says a visa is valid “up to 10 years or until the expiry date of either your passport or biometrics, whichever comes first”. Your visa cannot last longer than the old passport’s expiry date. That date is already on the visa.

To apply for a visa, your passport must be valid at least 6 months from your planned travel. Renew your passport first if needed.

eTA: a new passport means a new eTA

An eTA is different from a visa. IRCC says (eTA answer): “If you get a new passport, you will need to get a new eTA. Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport.” The eTA page says an eTA is valid up to 5 years or until your passport expires, costs CAN$7, and airline staff scan your passport at check-in.

If you are a permit holder from a visa-exempt country, IRCC says (permit holder answer) the eTA issued with your permit “is electronically linked to the passport you used to apply for your permit”. If you got a new passport since the permit was issued, you will need to get a new eTA.

If you are already in Canada: permits and your new passport

IRCC’s passport page says: “We can’t issue you a work permit, study permit or visitor record that is valid past the expiry date of your passport. If you get a new passport after you arrive in Canada, you can apply to extend your stay.”

For International Experience Canada (IEC) participants, IRCC’s IEC answer (modified April 17, 2026) says: “Your work permit is still valid even if it is attached to your old passport number.” If you already have your port of entry (POE) letter, travellers who need an eTA or visa “will need to get a new eTA or visa”. Bring a photocopy of the old passport and the new one, and tell the border officer. Before you have the POE letter, send a scan of the new passport using the Web form, with the old passport number and your application ID.

Where IRCC is not explicit: the statement that a permit stays valid with an old passport number appears only on the IEC page. Do not treat it as a rule for every permit. Read your own permit and the IRCC page for your program. IRCC is also silent on entry stamps in an old passport, so we give no advice on them.

If you have a pending application, update your information with IRCC. We explain the web form and online account route in our guide on updating IRCC records after a name change.

What this means for you

Visitor visa still valid: carry both passports. Think about a new visa to avoid delays
Visitor visa expired: you need a new visa in your new passport
eTA holder: get a new eTA for your new passport
In Canada with a permit: a permit cannot run past your passport expiry. You can apply to extend your stay
IEC participant: follow the IEC steps above

What to do next

Check the expiry dates of your visa, eTA and permit.
Pack both passports for travel.
Apply for a new eTA if you use one.
Read the IRCC pages linked in the sources below.
See our guide to work permits and our document checklist generator.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my valid visa in my old passport?

IRCC says you may. Bring your old passport with the visa and your new valid passport. You may need to explain why the old passport is not valid.

Do I have to get a new visa?

IRCC recommends it to avoid delays at the border. We found no IRCC rule that forces you to while the old visa is valid.

Can IRCC move my visa to my new passport?

IRCC does not describe a process for this. The option it names is a new visa.

Do I need a new eTA with a new passport?

Yes. IRCC says an eTA is linked to your passport, so a new passport needs a new eTA.

Is my work permit still valid after I get a new passport?

IRCC says this on its IEC page. For other permits, read your permit and IRCC guidance. A permit cannot be valid past your passport expiry date.

Sources

Facts as provided in our research brief dated October 12, 2026.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. For your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.