Canada has released a new design for its passport, and later this fall Canadians will be able to renew their passport online.
The new Canadian passport has been “redesigned from cover to cover with state-of-the-art security features and new artwork,” according to a news release on Wednesday.
The new design features a polycarbonate data page with an embedded electronic passport chip to keep Canadians’ identities safe, a technology similar to Canada’s driver’s licences and laser engraved information instead of ink printed to make the data page more durable and resistant to tampering and counterfeiting.
New and improved passports will also include a Kinegram over the main photo, a custom see-through window with a secondary image of the passport holder, a variable laser image, and a temperature sensitive ink feature.
The new passport celebrates Canada’s heritage with a new cover design including an outline of a maple leaf.
The current version of the Canadian passport was released in 2013. The updated travel document will start rolling out later this summer.
Canadians with valid passports will only need to renew them nearing their normal renewal date.
Along with the new design, the government announced that starting this fall Canadians will be able to renew their passport, pay their fees and upload their photos online.
Today’s announcement was made by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser, and Karina Gould, minister of Families, Children and Social Development during a press conference in Ottawa this morning.
“The new Canadian passport is more than a travel document; it is a representation of our national identity and values. It is a reminder of the beauty and diversity of Canada, and it reflects the country’s commitment to welcoming people from all around the world,” Fraser said during today’s announcement.
Gould added,”The Canadian passport is a fundamental document of citizenship, recognized around the world. The Government is committed to ensuring passport services are quick, efficient and modern. We are working hard to give Canadians a seamless experience, from the moment they apply until the moment the passport arrives in their hands.”
Canada is among the first in the Commonwealth to introduce a travel document series with reference to King Charles III as the latest version was approved after the multi-year process began.
Canada’s passport ranks fourth globally in the Passport Index and offers Canadians visa-free or visa on arrival access to over 170 countries.
