The cost of obtaining a Canadian passport is set to rise soon, with significant changes on the horizon. The Canadian government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, has enacted a new order-in-council that will tie passport fees to the consumer price index (CPI), indicating a systematic approach to future price adjustments.
Upcoming Fee Increases
Effective March 31, the price of Canadian passports will increase by 2.7 percent. This adjustment correlates with the expected CPI increase in April 2024.
- The cost of a five-year passport will rise to $123.24 for applicants within Canada.
- A 10-year passport will increase to $164.32 for Canadian applicants.
- For those applying from outside Canada, a 10-year passport will now cost $267.02.
Reasons for the Increase
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stated that the current fee structure does not adequately support the program’s operational costs. Over recent years, inflation has surged, with the CPI increasing by 14.5 percent since the last fee adjustments. This has resulted in expenditures exceeding revenues by approximately $121 million for the fiscal year 2024-25.
The IRCC highlighted that many operational costs, such as salaries and processing expenses, are not reflected in the current pricing. In fact, about 85 percent of operational costs remain unaccounted for in the fee structure.
Concerns from Officials
Political figures are voicing concerns about the increasing costs. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan pointed out that many Canadians are already struggling to afford passports, making the situation more burdensome. She noted that the government’s reassessment may signal further cost increases for everyday citizens.
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner expressed frustration over the processing difficulties many Canadians continue to experience. She questioned why Canadians should pay more for what she described as worsening service.
Demand and Delays
The Canadian government has faced challenges in processing passport applications, particularly after demand skyrocketed post-COVID-19 pandemic. Long lines of applicants outside government offices have been common. Although service has improved recently, refunds totaling $40 million were issued due to failures in meeting processing standards between January 31, 2023, and March 31, 2025.
Current policies state that a refund of 25 percent will be provided if the processing time extends beyond set service standards. If it takes longer than 11 days, the refund increases to 50 percent.
Future Commitments
Previous commitments were made by Liberal MP Terry Beech to improve service standards and reduce passport delivery costs, promising that passports not processed within 30 business days would be free. However, a clear implementation date for this promise has yet to be established.
According to a recent Global Affairs order, compensation for delays in travel document applications is set to take effect on April 1, 2026, alongside the total refund for passport delays. The concern remains whether the government will fulfill its commitments to enhance passport services and manage fee adjustments effectively.
As the government prepares for these changes, Canadians await clarity and assurance regarding the future of passport pricing and processing standards.
