In December 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) initiated a phased roll-out of online passport renewals for select adult applicants in Canada. This new system allows some Canadians to complete their application, pay fees, and securely upload a professional digital photo through Canada.ca/passport from their computer or mobile device. The gradual introduction of this digital service enables IRCC to monitor, refine, and ensure efficiency before making it more widely available.
This move aims to significantly reduce wait times at Service Canada locations while offering Canadians the convenience of applying anytime, from anywhere within the country. With passport offices experiencing high demand, the ability to complete renewals online is expected to streamline processing and alleviate congestion at physical locations.
Expanding Access and Enhancing In-Person Services
To further improve accessibility, Service Canada has expanded its 10-business-day passport service to the Service Canada Centres in Iqaluit and Yellowknife. Similar to other locations offering this expedited processing, applicants in these communities can either pick up their passport in person or have it mailed to them (mailing time is not included in the 10-business-day service standard). This expansion strengthens Service Canada’s commitment to providing essential services in northern, rural, and remote regions.
Additionally, as of January 20, 2025, Service Canada has increased transparency by publishing estimated wait times for all Service Canada Centres on Canada.ca. Previously, this information was only available for 60 offices that provided the 10-business-day passport service. Now, walk-in clients can check wait times at all locations in their area before visiting, helping them choose the most suitable office based on their needs.
A digital queuing system is also in development, as announced in the Fall Economic Statement. This system will allow clients to join a virtual queue from home or upon arrival at their selected Service Canada Centre or passport office. By minimizing in-person wait times, this initiative aims to enhance service efficiency and improve client experience.
Enhancements in Passport Processing and Delivery
To improve efficiency and security, new passport intake and processing systems have been successfully implemented across all Service Canada points of service. These upgrades help to streamline operations and reduce potential disruptions. In cases of system outages, IRCC and Service Canada work swiftly to restore stability and minimize inconvenience to clients.
Another major improvement set to be introduced soon is a new policy ensuring that passport applications will be processed within 30 business days—or applicants will receive a full refund of their passport application fees. This guarantee applies to complete applications submitted online, in-person, or by mail, though mailing times are not included in the 30-day processing window. This policy is designed to modernize passport services, improve service standards, and compensate Canadians if the government fails to meet its commitments.
To support the growing demand for passports, a new Passport Production Centre was opened in British Columbia last fall. This facility is the first of its kind in Western Canada, increasing national print capacity and strengthening business continuity for passport production.
With increasing demand for passport services, these improvements are expected to make the application and renewal process more efficient and accessible for Canadians. The gradual roll-out of online passport renewals, expansion of in-person services, and new processing guarantees reflect the government’s commitment to modernization and service reliability.
