Canada Passport : Fees, Application Steps & Processing Time  

The Canada passport is a travel document issued by the Government of Canada. It is one of the most sought-after travel documents due to its global mobility and business opportunities. 

The Canadian passport ranks 13th on Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, offering visa-free, ETA, and Visa-on-arrival access to 182 countries.  

Looking to get your Canada passport but don’t know where to start? Or maybe your old passport got lost, stolen, or damaged?  This guide will show how to get a Canadian passport, including collecting all necessary documents, and other factors to consider, such as processing times. 

Canada Passport – Key Takeaways

Only Canadian citizens can apply for a Canadian passport. Permanent residents need a PR Travel Document, PR card, or their home country’s passport instead.

Adults can choose a 5-year (from $122.50) or 10-year (from $163.50) ePassport, while children’s passports are valid for 5 years and cost $58.50; fees rise for applications from outside Canada.

The application requires a completed form, a guarantor, two references, proof of citizenship, ID, and passport photos meeting strict specifications, submitted in person, by mail, or (if abroad) through a Canadian embassy or consulate.

Standard processing takes 10–20 business days in Canada, express takes 2–9 days, and applications from the US or elsewhere abroad take 20 business days.

Since 1 April 2026, the “30 days or free” guarantee automatically refunds the passport fee if a complete application takes longer than 30 business days to process.

A Canadian passport is a document that verifies the nationality and identity of Canadian citizens. The official Government of Canada issues a valid Canadian passport for international travel. 

As of 1 July 2013, every new passport issued is an electronic passport, also known as a Canadian e-Passport. Adults can choose between a five-year or ten-year ePassport, whether they’re applying for the first time or renewing. For children, ePassports are only valid for five years. 

ePassports have enhanced security features, like microchips and biometric data. The passport or travel document includes personal information, such as name, date of birth, passport number, photo identification, etc. Only individuals with Canadian citizenship can get a passport. Permanent residents (PRs) cannot apply for a Canadian passport. 

If permanent residents prefer to travel outside Canada, they must get a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) or a valid permanent resident card. Permanent residents rely on the passport of their country of citizenship to pass border control. 

The Canadian passport offers many advantages, such as:

• Visa-free-travel: The Canada passport provides visa-free access to 108 countries. Canada consistently performs well in the Global Citizens Solutions Global Intelligence Unit across all three spectrums: Enhanced mobility, investment, and quality of life. 
• Social benefits: Canadian citizenship has extensive healthcare coverage, welfare programs, child benefits, student aid, pensions, and other types of finances. 
• Job prospects: Canadian citizenship provides easier access to government-funded programs. Canadian citizens can quickly obtain a work permit or resident status in many foreign countries, providing them with opportunities to work across international markets. 
• Diplomatic ties: Frequent travelers between Canada and the US benefit from having a valid Canadian passport. Canada has a stable political environment and international relations with many foreign countries. The Government of Canada has diplomatic and consular offices in more than 270 destinations. 
• Voting rights: Canadian citizens with a passport can vote in provincial, federal, and municipal elections. 
• Generational benefits: Canadian citizenship can be passed down to your children. You can also use it to sponsor family members who live in a foreign country. 
• Dual citizenship Canada: The Government of Canada enables dual citizenship, which means you can keep your Canadian citizenship and that of a foreign country. Not all travel documents permit dual nationality. 

Canadian passports and other travel documents, such as visas or electronic travel authorizations (eTA), are essential when crossing international borders. The Canada passport offers access to 182 countries. These include destinations you can visit without a visa, with visa-on-arrival, and with eTAs. Citizens need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to any destination country. 

Canadian citizenship provides access to many visa-free countries. Canadian citizens can freely enter the Schengen area, many parts of Asia, and Africa for business and tourism purposes. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) demands that travelers from the US and Canada show a passport or other travel documents that confirm their identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Our article on Canada passport visa-free countries provides a detailed guideline for all the destinations to which to travel. 

When you enter another country, you often complete a customs and immigration declaration, and your Canadian passport may be checked for clearance. If your passport is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the Government of Canada and apply for a replacement to avoid travel delays. Only Canadian citizens are eligible for full passport services. 

Note: Before booking your trip, review the passport and travel information for your destination, including visa rules and entry restrictions. 

Depending on your status and home country, you may need various types of passports and travel documents. Canadian citizens can apply for a Canadian passport, while permanent residents require different travel documents.

These types of passports include:

• Regular passport: This is a standard (blue) passport for Canadian citizens. You need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada, book vacations, or make business trips.
• Diplomatic passport: This is a high-ranking (red) passport for Government of Canada officials. Diplomats use it for conferences and diplomatic travel.
• Special passport: This is a specific (green) passport for official purposes. It is reserved for citizens hired by the Government of Canada, such as members of parliament or senators.
• Temporary passport: This is a limited-time (white) passport for Canadian citizens who need urgent travel documents. They can use this document to leave or enter Canada while they wait for the standard, diplomatic, or special Canadian passport.

Other types of travel documents

People can obtain various travel documents in Canada. Most circumstances require visitor to provide birth abroad certificate and other documents for identification to carry out their travel plans.

These travel documents can include:

• Certificate of identity: The Government of Canada can provide a certificate of identity to individuals with a permanent resident card who are not Canadian citizens. This document ensures that a permanent resident can return to Canada.
• Refugee travel documents: Convention refugees or those with a protected person status may be eligible for refugee travel documents. The documents allow them to travel in and out of a host country without fear of deportation. They add a layer of safety and security.
• Emergency travel documents: Canadian citizens who appear to be outside the country, for whatever reason, cannot obtain a temporary passport book can apply for emergency travel documents. These documents allow them to return to Canada or travel to a Canadian government office in a foreign country.

Note: If you’re flying to Canada from another country, you must show a valid Canadian passport to board the aircraft, even if you have dual citizenship.

To get a passport, applicants must have Canadian citizenship. The three main ways to citizenship are Canadian citizenship by birth, descent, and naturalization. 

Even though there is no official Canada citizenship by investment, program, foreigners can apply for business/entrepreneur immigration programs such as PNP, Start-Up Visa that provide permanent residency (PR). A permanent resident card could eventually lead to citizenship. These programs attract foreign entrepreneurs eager to invest in Canada. 

To start the process for passport Canada: 

1. Find out if you are eligible. You must be a Canadian citizen to apply. Thanks to the recent Bill C-3 update, Canadian citizenship by descent is available to people born abroad to a Canadian parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent. This is subject to a 1,095-day physical presence rule for the Canadian parent if the child was born on/after Dec 15, 2025.  
2. Collect the forms, photos, and documents. Fill out a passport application form and provide the necessary paperwork. The documents to include are identification documents, birth certificates, proof of citizenship, and other supporting documents. 
3. Submit your application. Lodge your application with the local passport office or at a Service Canada Center. 
4. Pay the passport fee. Pay a fee for the type of passport you apply for. 
5. Wait for processing. Your application will be processed, and you will receive a notification when the passport is ready. 
6. Pick up your passport book. You can visit the local passport office to receive the travel document or mail it to your home without scheduling a Canada passport appointment. 

When it comes to documents applying in Canada, you need original or photocopies of forms, photos, and documents for passports and other travel documents. If your documents are not in English or French, you will need a certified translation.

The documents to include are:

• Application form: General application forms for passports collect detailed personal information from all applicants. They ensure that the information you fill in matches your other documents.
• Documents to verify your identity: This can be an original or photocopy of your identification documents (ID), driver’s license, military ID, employee identification card, etc.
• Proof of citizenship: This can be a Canadian citizenship certificate or a birth certificate.
• Take a passport photo: You will need to present photo identification when submitting your paperwork in person. You must take a passport photo facing forward with a plain expression. The forms, photos, and documents provide a secure mechanism for official identification.

Canadian passport photo requirements

You must apply with the correct forms and photos that meet official requirements to get a passport. You must have a natural expression, face the camera, and use a simple, plain (or light-colored) background. Photos that appear to be outside may not meet the official requirements and can delay processing. 

The photo must be: 

• Taken in the last six months. 
• Taken by a commercial photographer. 
• Done in a way that depicts your facial features without any alterations. 
• Sharp, clear, and in focus. 
• In a full-frontal view of the head without coverings, tinted eyewear, or glare on glasses. Head covering is acceptable for medical and religious reasons. 
• Measuring 50 mm wide × 70 mm high (2 in × 2¾ in) 

The Government of Canada offers detailed passport and travel information to ensure applicants are well-prepared when submitting their forms, photos, and documents. Canadian passports include advanced security features to protect against fraud. If you need quicker processing times, you can request that your travel documents get urgent processing, provided that you submitted the correct paperwork and passport photos.  

When applying at a passport office, bring all required forms, photos, and documents. The steps below can walk you through the application process.

• Step 1: Fill out the application forms for passport. Use the official Canada application form, type in your details, and print it.
• Step 2: Select a guarantor. This person can verify your identity and sign the application form.
• Step 3: Provide two references. They must be 18 or older, have known you for at least two years, and agree to you using their name and contact information for your application. Your references cannot be your guarantor, a member of your immediate family, your spouse or common-law partner, your child or grand-child or other members of your extended family. Note: Please ensure your references are available when we need to contact them, as their unavailability may delay your application.
• Step 4: Collect the following documents and send them to Passport Canada. The documents to include are proof of citizenship (e.g., Canadian citizenship certificate or birth certificate), identification documents, and two identical photos.
• Step 5: Submit your application to Passport Canada. You can submit the forms, photos, and documents in person or by mail. Use a trackable mail service like the Canada Post Xpresspost or a courier like FedEx and Purolator.
• Step 6: Pay the fees. When you submit the application for passports and other travel documents, you must pay a fee. The fees will vary depending on the service and type of passport you need.
• Step 7: Submit the receipt. Take the receipt with your documents and submit them at your local Embassy or Canadian consulate.
• Step 8: Wait for processing time. Depending on the service you selected, you usually wait 10 to 20 business days to get a passport.
• Step 9: Receive your passport book. You can retrieve your passport in person or mail it to your home.

If your passport is expired or soon-to-expire, you need a new one. To renew your passport, fill out the Canadian renewal application form and provide proper identification, like your old passport, new photo, birth certificate, or Canadian citizenship.

You can renew your passport card in person or by mail. Include the entire photos and document list and schedule an appointment to renew the passport.

Canada passport renewal is a simpler process than getting a passport for the first time, especially if your old passport is still valid or recently expired. Make sure to provide the correct passport and travel information on your application form.

How much is a Canadian passport?

A Canadian passport costs starts from $122.50 for an adult and $58.50 for a child. This price goes up depending on the passport type (10 or 5 years), where you’re applying from (in Canada or abroad) and any additional expenses.  

You can’t pay online for a passport book when applying for a standard passport in person or by mail. Instead, you must use a certified cheque or money order. You can expect to pay additional fees if your passport is lost, stolen, or if you get urgent or express service. 

Standard processing is the cheapest option, but it takes the longest time. Expedited passport services, like urgent pickup, can speed up the process but cost more. You can choose an express service or find a local office that processes passports faster. 

Travel documents get urgent processing for different reasons, such as medical emergencies, last-minute business trips, and lost, stolen, or damaged passports.  

Below are the costs for passport services in Canadian dollars. 

Some additional costs

• Standard pickup: $20
• Express pickup: $50
• Urgent pickup: $125.75 

Note that passport fees now adjust annually under the Service Fees Act tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  

How long does it take to get a Canadian passport?

The processing time varies based on the passport services and travel documents you select. You can access various passport services a Canadian Embassy, including renewals and emergency replacements. You must also consider whether you submit the documents in person or by mail. 

Urgent pickup offers the fastest turnaround, and the passport book is ready by the end of the next business day. 

If you lose your passport while traveling, Canadian embassies and consulates abroad can help issue an emergency replacement. Passports and other travel documents are critical documents to renew. Make sure to provide the necessary identification documents to re-enter Canada. 

30 days or free guarantee 

Effective 1 April 2026, applicants will receive a full automatic refund of the passport fee if processing of a complete application exceeds 30 business days. This excludes mailing time (urgent/express) and some administrative services. Note that the processing time starts when a complete application is received and ends when the passport or travel document is printed and verified. 

Canada passport processing time inside the country 

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.