What to know
- Eligible Canadians can now renew their passports online instead of mailing documents or visiting a Service Canada Centre.
- The federal government says the change will improve access for people in rural and remote communities and those with mobility challenges.
- Online renewals follow the same 20-business-day processing standard as simplified adult renewals submitted through most Service Canada Centres and by mail.
- Canadians needing passports urgently must still apply in person through locations offering express or urgent services.
Eligible Canadians can now renew their passports online following an announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab.
The federal government says the expanded online service is intended to make passport renewals simpler and more convenient by allowing applicants to submit their forms, photos and payments digitally instead of mailing documents or visiting a Service Canada Centre.
“Canadians expect passport services that work for their lives. Expanding online renewal gives eligible Canadians a simpler, more convenient way to renew their passports, without unnecessary barriers or delays,” Metlege said in a news release.
The minister added that the change is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize passport services and provide public services that better meet the needs of Canadians.
Online renewal expands access to passport services
The government says the new option will also help Canadians who face barriers accessing in-person services, including people living in rural and remote communities and those with mobility challenges.
Before the change, Canadians could only renew their passports online if their passport was set to expire within six months or had already expired.
Online renewals will follow the same 20-business-day service standard as simplified adult renewals submitted through most Service Canada Centres and by mail, according to the federal government.
Canadians who need their passport sooner will still need to apply in person at a Service Canada Centre or passport office offering 10-business-day, express or urgent services.
More passport service changes introduced
The online renewal option builds on several recent passport service improvements, including the online passport application status checker and expanded access to 10-business-day passport services at select Service Canada Centres.
The government also continues to offer its passport service guarantee, which states that applications will be processed within 30 business days or the passport fee will be refunded.
