Canadians warned to renew passports 'at least 6 months' ahead due to a little-known rule

Planning a summer or fall trip abroad? A little-known Canadian passport rule could affect your travel plans.

If you're heading to the beach or exploring a new city this summer or fall, make sure to check your Canadian passport expiry date — a lesser-known travel rule could prevent you from flying if you don't renew it in time.

Passport Canada is advising Canadian travellers to renew their passports at least six months before the expiry date. For example, if your passport expires in December 2025, you should ideally begin the passport renewal process as early as July 2025. While that might seem like a long lead time, there's a practical reason behind the recommendation.

Many countries around the world — including popular vacation spots like Thailand, Turkey, China, the Dominican Republic, and Singapore — enforce what’s known as the "six-month rule." This means your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date to enter the country.

If it’s not, you could be denied entry at the border or even stopped from boarding your flight.

More than 70 countries follow this rule, which is designed to protect travellers in case of emergencies, delays, or unexpected changes in return plans.

So, what does that mean for Canadian travellers? If you're planning to leave the country in the coming months, it's best to check your passport's expiry date now. If your destination follows the six-month rule and your passport doesn't meet the requirement, you'll need to renew it before your departure.

If your trip is still a few weeks or months away, you can apply to renew by mail or in person at a Service Canada Centre. However, keep in mind that processing times can vary depending on demand, especially during peak travel seasons.

Important update: Possible delays at Canada Post

There may be disruptions to mail services due to a potential labour dispute at Canada Post. If you plan to apply by mail, the government now recommends using an alternative courier service or applying in person at a Service Canada Centre or passport office.

In anticipation of the disruption, passports will be delivered through another courier, but some delays may still occur — so plan accordingly.

For anyone travelling within the next two weeks, it's best to go directly to a passport office that offers urgent or express services. You'll need proof of travel, and additional fees may apply, but it's the fastest way to ensure you receive your passport on time. Full details are available on the Government of Canada website.

You could get a refund if it takes too long

Here’s a bit of good news: if your complete passport application takes more than 30 business days to process, you’ll now receive a full refund on your fees.

This change was announced on March 7 by Minister of Citizens' Services Terry Beech as part of the federal government's first-ever State of Service Report, which aims to streamline services following the passport backlog crisis of 2022.

A quick passport check now can help you avoid stressful delays later. Whether you're heading off to relax on the beach or explore a new city, make sure your passport is ready to go well ahead of your departure.

Love this? Check out our MTL Blog noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!

AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.