How long does it take to get a passport canada

Before heading to the airport to begin your vacation, it’s important to make sure that you have all the important documents you will need to travel abroad. Double checking that your passport is up to date and valid for crossing international borders, will alleviate stress in preparing for your trip and allow you to travel with as little worry possible.

Table of Contents Show

Key Points
Overview
What are the Changes?
Looking Ahead
About the Author

All travelers, including infants, must have their own passport. For those who do not yet have a passport, make sure to apply for one several months in advance of your trip to avoid delays in receiving your documentation. The average processing time for a Canadian passport depends on how you submit your application. The processing time for any application submitted in person at a passport office is typically 10 days. When applying through a Service Canada receiving agent, or applying through mail, the processing time is typically 20 days.

Applying for an Adult Passport

In order to apply for a passport for the first time, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 16 years old. Below are several things you will need to do in order to apply for a passport:
● Complete the Adult General Passport Application Form (PPTC 153).
● Provide proof of Canadian citizenship (original documentation only).
● Provide identification.
● Provide two identical passport photos. The name and address of the photographer as well as the date that the photos were taken must be on the back of one of the photos.
● Provide any valid Canadian travel document that is issued in your name.
● You must have a guarantor sign your passport application, one of your passport photos, and all copies of supporting identity documents.
● You must also have two references on your application that have known you for at least two years. These references cannot be family members.
● Submit application and pay fees.

All documents submitted must either be in English or French. Extra documents may be needed when applying for a passport if you want to change your name, replace a lost or stolen passport, wish to omit your place of birth, or want to update your gender identifier.

Applying for a Child Passport

If you are getting a passport for your child, below is a list of things that a parent or guardian will
need to provide:
● A completed Child Application Form (PPTC 155) filled out by a parent or guardian.
● Proof of Canadian citizenship for your child (original documentation only).
● Two identical passport photos with the name and address of the photographer as well as the date that the photos were taken must be on the back of one of the photos.
● Proof of parent parentage or guardianship.
● All documents that refer to the custody of, mobility of, or access to the child.
● Any valid Canadian passport or travel document issued in the child’s name.
● Application fee

Renewing Your Passport

For those who already have a passport, check to make sure that your passport will be valid for at least six months after returning home from your trip. If not, it is recommended that you renew your passport several months before your trip departure. To renew your current Canadian passport, follow the guidelines below:
● Complete the Adult Simplified Renewal Passport Form (PPTC 054).
● Submit your current passport.
● Provide two identical passport photos with the name and address of the photographer as well as the date that the photos were taken must be on the back of one of the photos.
● Include two references on your application.
● Submit your application and pay fees.

Protecting Your Passport

During your trip, we recommend that you take several steps to ensure the safety of your passport:
● Carry your passport on you while traveling through airports, and between different destinations. Do not put it in your checked luggage.
● Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a separate concealed place in your luggage.
● Use a passport cover to keep your passport concealed at all times.
● All travelers should carry their own passport. If you are carrying multiple passports, try not to keep all of them in one place to minimize the impact of a single theft.
● Try to carry your passport in the same place to avoid losing track of your document.
● When in private, check regularly to make sure that you are still carrying your passport.

To view detailed instructions and guidelines on how to apply for or renew a Canadian passport, visit canada.ca.

If you live outside of the United States and Canada, you may require further documentation for traveling such as a visa. Check with the nearest embassy of the country you are traveling to in order to determine whether or not this applies to you.

This article was originally published on 24 May 2022 and was updated on 17 June 2022 and 18 August 2022 to reflect new information.

18 August 2022 Update: The government of Canada added 12 new electronic entry gates (eGates) to the Toronto Pearson International airport, and 30 new primary inspection kiosks (PIKs) in an effort to reduce airport delays and entry wait-times.

This article was originally published on 24 May 2022 and was updated on 17 June 2022 to reflect new information.

17 June 2022 Update: The government of Canada introduced an approximate passportwait time service for clients to prepare for their visit to a passport office and view approximate processing times. Generally, passports are processed and received within 40 days.

Key Points

New measures introduced to reduce processing delays in the issuance of new or renewed passports for Canadian citizens traveling abroad

Overview

The government of Canada is experiencing an increase in demand for new or renewed passports, resulting in longer processing times for Canadian citizens. In response to these delays, the government has prioritized the processing of travelers with urgent needs and introduced several steps to reduce the delays. These steps include:

Reopening all passport service counters across Canada and increasing service capacity by 40 percent by hiring more employees;

Expanded capacity in waiting rooms to accommodate increased volume;

Introducing measures to simplify and expedite passport processing. These measures include a simplified process for renewing expired passports that were issued in the last 15 years and simplifying procedures for obtaining new passports if the previous one was lost, stolen or damaged. Applicants also do not need to have a guarantor or provide their original documents (such as proof of citizenship or photo identification) and instead only need to provide two photos, two references, their completed form and pay the application fees;

Expanding operating hours of passport offices and call centers;
Launching Service Canada to provide a 24-hour online tool for booking appointments
The government estimates that most individuals will receive their new or renewed passport within at least 10 business days.

What are the Changes?

The government of Canada has introduced several measures that aim to reduce processing delays for issuances of new or renewed passports. Some of these measures include introducing new staff to passport offices throughout the country and offering simplified procedures for making appointments and submitting documents. Canadian citizens should ensure that they hold a valid passport before traveling outside of Canada.

Looking Ahead

Continue to check the government of Canada’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.

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Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.