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Have an Approved eTa but denied boarding the plane

Judithpo

Newbie
Jul 18, 2023
1
0
My husband was denied boarding our flight to Toronto yesterday because they said he did not have an eTa. He did have an approved eTa, he showed them the email he received and they checked it, all the details matched, but for some reason in their system it still said he didn't have an eTa. The airport staff called Canada and they were told he was not to board this flight. No explanation was given. The staff at the airport said that perhaps his eTa was declined at a later date, and he received an email about it.
We checked the status of his eTa on the official website, and it still said it was APPROVED. We looked to see if maybe we missed something, if there was perhaps some comment, some condition to his approval, but there was nothing. The website just says APPROVED.

We are both just shocked and confused that he can be denied boarding a flight with an approved eTa without any explanation.

My husband and I got our eTas a long time ago, almost a year ago. I received mine right after applying, but his took almost 6 months to get approved, because he lived for a few years in Canada when he was a minor. But if that had been a problem he wouldn't have been approved in the first place.

There is no one we can contact that can help us, we have been trying to call every possible number, most numbers are unreachable, others say they can't help us, that they don't have access to this kind of information. We just don't know what to do.

My husband also has an employer who is waiting for him, with an approved LMIA. We were going to apply for a work permit when we reached Canada.

If anyone can help, or knows someone we can call...We're just at a loss
 

Shmiler

Star Member
Oct 19, 2020
134
102
In order to resolve the situation quickly, I would advise flying into the US and then going via the land border to Canada. An eta is not required via this method. Once inside Canada then you can try and find a resolution to the eta issue.

Sorry that you've had this stressful experience. I hope you have a positive outcome.
 

scylla

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Jun 8, 2010
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My husband was denied boarding our flight to Toronto yesterday because they said he did not have an eTa. He did have an approved eTa, he showed them the email he received and they checked it, all the details matched, but for some reason in their system it still said he didn't have an eTa. The airport staff called Canada and they were told he was not to board this flight. No explanation was given. The staff at the airport said that perhaps his eTa was declined at a later date, and he received an email about it.
We checked the status of his eTa on the official website, and it still said it was APPROVED. We looked to see if maybe we missed something, if there was perhaps some comment, some condition to his approval, but there was nothing. The website just says APPROVED.

We are both just shocked and confused that he can be denied boarding a flight with an approved eTa without any explanation.

My husband and I got our eTas a long time ago, almost a year ago. I received mine right after applying, but his took almost 6 months to get approved, because he lived for a few years in Canada when he was a minor. But if that had been a problem he wouldn't have been approved in the first place.

There is no one we can contact that can help us, we have been trying to call every possible number, most numbers are unreachable, others say they can't help us, that they don't have access to this kind of information. We just don't know what to do.

My husband also has an employer who is waiting for him, with an approved LMIA. We were going to apply for a work permit when we reached Canada.

If anyone can help, or knows someone we can call...We're just at a loss
I would recommend applying for the work permit from your home country as soon as possible. I would also have your husband apply for a new eTA.
 
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YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,449
2,912
My husband and I got our eTas a long time ago, almost a year ago. I received mine right after applying, but his took almost 6 months to get approved, because he lived for a few years in Canada when he was a minor. But if that had been a problem he wouldn't have been approved in the first place.
What was his status when he lived in Canada for a few years? Was he a PR (he can't there as visitor for a few years... ) or did he get study permit?
If he was a PR, maybe his is still considered as a PR until it's been revoked or reannounced?

If he was on study permit, then just apply for the work permit and the eTA since he has approved LMIA.