Immigration Announcement
Canada Promises Passports in 30 Days or a Full Refund to Fast-Track Your Travel in 2025
The Canadian government is introducing a major update to passport services, ensuring faster processing times with a new 30-day money-back guarantee. This initiative, set to begin in 2025, aims to streamline the passport application process while addressing previous delays caused by overwhelming demand.
What’s Changing with Canadian Passport Services?
Service Canada expects to process nearly 5.74 million passport applications in 2024-25. To manage this growing demand, the agency has announced that completed applications—submitted online, by mail, or in person—will be processed within 30 business days. If the application isn’t processed within this timeframe, applicants will receive a full refund of their passport fees. However, mailing time is not included in this guarantee.
Currently, the standard processing time for passports is 20 business days. For those needing expedited service, a 10-day processing option is available at over 60 Service Canada passport centres nationwide. According to Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech, most applicants who apply in person receive their passports within seven days, with 99% receiving them within 10 days.
Online Passport Renewals to Expand Nationwide
In another major update, the Canadian government plans to roll out online passport renewal services to all Canadians by 2025. This follows a successful pilot project launched in late 2024, allowing select applicants to renew their passports online with a 20-day turnaround. Around 1,000 people participated in the pilot phase.
The goal of online renewals is to reduce administrative costs and free up Service Canada resources. By eliminating the need for in-person or mail applications, the government hopes to make the process more convenient for applicants.
Why These Changes Are Being Implemented
Service Canada’s passport processing system faced severe challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions initially reduced applications, but as restrictions eased, demand surged by 45%, causing significant backlogs. By doubling its workforce, Service Canada managed to clear the backlog, issuing 3.3 million passports in 2022-23 and 4.8 million in 2023-24.
Anticipating another increase in applications, especially as 10-year passport holders approach renewal, Service Canada has expanded its operations. Today, 60 service locations across Canada offer 10-day expedited passport services, including new locations in Iqaluit and Yellowknife. A full-service passport office is also planned for Charlottetown, P.E.I.
New Digital Tools for Passport Services
To further improve efficiency, Service Canada has introduced several digital tools, including:
- Online Passport Status Checker: Since mid-2023, applicants have been able to track their applications online instead of calling Service Canada. Between April 2024 and January 2025, over 833,000 users performed more than 5 million searches.
- Online Appointment Booking: Applicants can now book passport appointments up to 60 days in advance, reducing wait times and preventing long lineups at Service Canada offices.
- Published Wait Times: Since January 2025, estimated wait times for all passport service locations have been available online, allowing applicants to visit less crowded locations.
What Are the Current Canadian Passport Fees?
Passport fees remain unchanged, with the following costs:
- Five-year passport (ages 16+): $120
- Ten-year passport (ages 16+): $160
- Child’s passport (ages 15 and under): $57
- Standard 10-day pickup: Additional $20
- Express pickup (2-9 days): Additional $50
- Urgent pickup (next business day): Additional $100
With the introduction of a 30-day money-back guarantee and the expansion of online renewals, Canada’s passport system is undergoing a significant transformation. These updates aim to improve efficiency, reduce waiting times, and enhance overall convenience for applicants. As demand for passports continues to rise, these changes will help ensure a smoother and more accessible process for all Canadians.
