Canada Launches 30-Day Passport Guarantee to Speed Up Processing

Ottawa is introducing a “30 days or free” guarantee for Canadian passport and travel document processing effective April 1.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the new policy in a March 31 press release.

“If processing exceeds 30 business days, refunds will be issued automatically,” the statement said. 

Processing time begins when a complete application is received by the Government of Canada Passport Program and ends when the passport or travel document is printed and verified, but does not include mailing time, the government said.

A complete application includes a filled-out form, all required documents, such as a passport photo, and the full payment of fees.

Service standards for passport applications typically range between 10 and 20 business days plus mailing time, depending on the type of Service Canada Centre the applicant uses, or if the customer applied at an embassy or consulate or through the mail.

The “30 days or free” guarantee is part of ongoing efforts by the immigration department to improve passport and travel document services as well as provide a more “consistent and predictable experience” for passport seekers, the statement said.

“Canadians expect reliable services from their government. While most passports are processed within our service standards, our new refund policy reflects our commitment to maintaining excellence in our passport delivery system,” Diab said. 

This policy does not apply to some administrative services, such as replacement, transfer, or true certified copy fees, or to child refugee travel documents and child certificates of identity, because these are considered low in value under the Service Fees Act, the press release said.

It also is not applicable to urgent and express services, because they have separate, shorter timelines and applications processed in exceptional circumstances that may impact operations.

The policy change comes a few weeks after Ottawa announced it was increasing most passport and travel document fees as of March 31 to keep pace with inflation and rising production costs.

The fee for a 10-year regular adult passport rose from $160 to $163.50, while a five-year regular adult passport increased from $120 to $122.50. A five-year regular child passport went from $57 to $58.50.

The government said the cost increase was the first since 2013.