Canada is changing its passport rules and you could get yours for free

If you're planning a trip but need to renew your Canadian passport, there's a new federal guarantee that might interest you.

Starting this year, if your complete application takes more than 30 business days to process, you'll get a full refund on the fees.

The March 7 announcement was made by Minister of Citizens' Services of Canada Terry Beech as part of the first State of Service Report, aimed at improving efficiency in government services. And after the chaos of the 2022 passport crisis, when massive lineups formed outside Passport Canada offices, the news is sure to be a relief for many travellers.

Here's how it works.

Whether you apply online, in person, or by mail, your passport should now be processed within 30 business days. If it's delayed, you’ll get your money back in full. However, the mailing time of your application and passport is not included in the 30-business-day period.

While the new measure is expected to roll out later this year, the exact start date hasn't been announced yet.

According to the government, the cost of a passport renewal depends on the validity period and the service chosen:

• 5-year passport: $120
• 10-year passport: $160

Additional fees apply for faster processing are as follows:

• 10 business days: +$20
• 48-hour service: +$50
• Same-day or next-day service: +$110

These prices apply to applications made within Canada and may differ abroad. You can also use the online Passport Status Checker to track your application.

The federal government also announced that they are planning to expand access to online passport renewals for more Canadians in the coming months. Since December 2024, only a select group of eligible adults have been able to use the service.

"Our government is working to make services more efficient, affordable, and better suited to the needs of Canadians," said Stéphane Lauzon, parliamentary secretary to the minister of citizens' services.

"We are modernizing service delivery and improving the passport program to reduce wait times and costs," Lauzon continued.

While it pays to have your passport delayed, let's be honest — it's still probably better to get it on time.

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