Welcome to the 21st century: Every Canadian can now renew their passports online.
Federal Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed Tuesday that online passport renewal is now available to all eligible adult Canadians, following a phased rollout that began in late 2024.
All Canadian travellers can now submit their application, payment and a digital photo entirely online, which is a long‑awaited shift for an increasingly digital customer base.
The phased rollout was done to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada "to carefully monitor, adapt and refine the process to make sure it works as intended before making it available to more Canadians over the coming months," they said in 2024.
"Canadians expect passport services that work for their lives. Expanding online renewal gives eligible Canadians a simpler, more convenient way to renew their passports, without unnecessary barriers or delays," said Metlege Diab.
Service standards are tightening, too. Online renewals carry a 20‑business‑day processing target with real‑time status updates, and Ottawa is introducing a 30‑day service guarantee for complete applications submitted online, in person or by mail, with a full refund if the deadline isn’t met. (Mailing time not included.)
Meanwhile, in‑person service is getting a boost nationwide. Employment and Social Development Canada noted that Service Canada has expanded its 10‑day passport pickup to Iqaluit and Yellowknife, improving access for northern travellers. The agency also recently began publishing estimated wait times for all Service Canada Centres, and is developing a digital queuing system so clients can join lines remotely.
A new Passport Production Centre in B.C. is now online to increase print capacity and support nationwide demand, Metlege Diab added.
The feds also noted that to keep pace with demand, they've expanded their use of automation tools that help passport officers verify routine adult renewals against previous passport files.
However, complex cases, first‑time applications, child passports and any decisions involving refusals or cancellations remain fully in the hands of human passport officers.
