Canadians will find renewed convenience in the passport renewal process thanks to the Government of Canada’s new online system. Now, it is possible to renew passports from home, avoiding the traditional in-person requirements.
Key Details for Online Passport Renewal in Canada
Before submitting an application, applicants need to understand the specific requirements necessary for the online process.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be renewing their own passport.
- The individual’s home and mailing address must be in Canada.
- Current passport must have been issued when the applicant was 16 years or older.
- The passport qualifies as a regular blue passport, valid for either 5 or 10 years.
- It must have been issued within the last 15 years.
- Your passport must either be expiring within the next 6 months or currently expired. Renewals are not available for passports over 6 months from expiration.
- Applicants should not need a passport for the next 20 business days, plus mailing time.
- No observations should be noted in the current passport.
- The passport must not be lost, stolen, or seized.
Digital Photo Requirements
Upon creating an account with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal, applicants must provide a digital passport photo. This photo should meet the following criteria:
- Taken by a commercial photographer.
- No more than 6 months old at the time of application.
- Not a scanned version of a printed photo.
IRCC suggests having both a digital and printed photo on hand, allowing flexibility in the application method.
Application Process and Timeline
Once the application is submitted online, processing may take up to 20 business days, excluding mailing times. Due to this timeline, applicants are encouraged to plan their applications ahead of any travel.
It is important to remember that the current passport will be cancelled upon application for renewal and will no longer be valid.
For further information, please visit El-Balad.
