The Current Situation

Over the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the volume of passport applications was relatively low, due to a reduction in travel following the imposition of public health restrictions and travel advisories. With the easing of restrictions and the resumption of travel, Service Canada has experienced an increase in passport applications across the country.

In the first two years of the pandemic, only 20% of normal passport volume was received (from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021- 363,000 passports, and from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 - 1,273,000 passports issued).  Since April 1 2022, over 302,000 applications were received. As a result, Service Canada is experiencing increased passport processing times, and is required to prioritize those travelling imminently.

What We Are Doing

Service Canada has put a number of measures in place to make it easier for Canadians to access passport services, and to improve processing including:

• A simplified renewal process for any adult passport issued in the last 15 years.
• An appointment booking tool at canada.ca/reservation that directs clients to the right location for service.
• Additional processing hubs across the country and more than 500 additional employees to support passport processing.  Service Canada will continue to add passport officers in addition to working overtime every day and on weekends to process applications.
• Adapted hours of service for clients who cannot be accommodated during regular hours.
• The re-opening of most client counters in Service Canada locations across the country.

What Canadians Need To Do

• Passport applications must be submitted well in advance of making travel plans.
• Anyone travelling within two business days must go to one of the 35 passport offices (Service Canada Centres – Passport Service) for urgent pickup service. No appointment is needed, and a proof of travel is required.
• Anyone travelling within 25 business days must go to one of these specialized sites with a proof of travel. Although walk in service is available, appointments are recommended.
• All other clients should apply at any of the over 300 Service Canada Centres. Mail is also available.
• Information on how to apply and obtain a passport application form can be found online on Canada.ca.

Common Errors To Avoid When Applying for a Passport:

• Indicate the requested passport validity - 5 or 10 years - on the form.
• The Guarantor must sign the back of one photo for Child and Adult General applications.
• The Guarantor must sign and date a copy of the applicant’s ID for Adult General applications.
• When completing a child form, the relationship between parents must be indicated and Section 5 must be signed.

 Checking on the Status of a Passport Application:

• Due to the high number of status requests, it takes three or more days to process a request.
• Canadians who applied for the 10-day service should be advised that over 90% of applications are processed within the standard and to contact the program only if travel plans are imminent.
• Canadians who applied for the 20-day service should be advised that processing times are significantly longer and that status checks should be limited to those with imminent travel plans. 
• Anyone not traveling should be asked not to contact the program for the status of their application. 
• A status request can be submitted online on Canada.ca.
• If a request has already been made, Canadians should not submit another one.

If you require assistance with your Passport application, contact our constituency office at 604-501-5900 or by email at [email protected].