The Canadian government has introduced a redesigned passport with advanced security features and a new look to better reflect the country’s diverse population and natural heritage. The redesign, initiated in 2013, aims to prevent counterfeiting and ensure that the passport remains a secure and reliable travel document.
The new passport features a polycarbonate data page with laser-engraved personal information, making it more durable and tamper-resistant. Other security enhancements include a custom see-through window with a secondary passport holder image, a variable laser image, and temperature-sensitive ink. The artwork in the new passport showcases Canada’s landscapes, wildlife, and people.
The production of the new passports is set to begin this summer, while online renewal applications will be available starting in the fall. Canadians who receive the old-style passports during the transition period can rest assured that these remain valid and secure. As of May 5, 2023, Passport Canada has received 209,548 applications and issued 210,171 passports for the year.
According to Passport Index, the Canadian passport ranks 4th globally, allowing visa-free entry into 115 countries and visa-on-arrival in 51 countries. Last September, Canada tied for eighth place in Henley & Partners’ Global Passport Ranking report, with Canadian passport holders being able to enter 185 countries without a visa.
How to get the New Canadian Passport
To obtain the new Canadian passport, applicants must complete a passport application form and submit it along with the necessary supporting documents. These include proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate or citizenship certificate), any valid Canadian passport or travel document previously issued, a document supporting the applicant’s identity (e.g., a photocopy of an identification card), and two identical passport photos with the applicant’s name, address, and the date the photos were taken written on the back. All documents must be in either English or French, and if a document is in another language, an official translation must be provided. Applicants must also include two references who have known them for at least two years and are not family members.
The new Canadian passports will be rolled out over the next year, with production beginning this summer. Canadians can continue to use their current passports until they expire, as both the old and new designs are secure and valid. Starting in the fall, the federal government will enable online applications for passport renewal, making the process more convenient and accessible.
