How Long Does it Take to Get a Canadian Passport

How Long Does it Take to Get a Canadian Passport.

A Canadian passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world, sitting in the fourth position (out of 95) according to Passport Index. The strength of a passport is calculated depending on how far its visa-free access expands.

As such, there are three reasons you may be wondering how long does it take to get a Canada passport:

You are a Canadian citizen, and you’re about to apply for your first Canada passport.
Your current Canadian passport is about to expire and you want to renew it.
You are a foreign national and you want to get Canadian citizenship (ie. the rights to a Canadian passport).

This article will answer how long a Canada passport takes to process in three of the aforementioned situations.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Canada Passport?

The Canada passport processing time depends on the manner in which you applied for it. As such, if you applied:

in person at a passport office, the processing time is 10 working days.

in person at a Service Canada receiving agent, the processing time is 20 working days.
by mail, the processing time is 20 working days.

In addition, if you applied by mail, take into account the time it will take for your passport to be mailed there and then back to you.

If you’re going to pick your passport up yourself, the pick-up date will be written on your pick up service receipt.

How Long Does it Take to Renew a Canada Passport?

The Canada passport renewal time is the same as the processing time for a new passport – it depends on the manner through with you applied.

In-person applications at a passport office are processed within 10 working days.

In-person applications at a Service Canada receiving agent are processed within 20 working days.
Mailed applications are processed within 20 working days, excluding mailing time.

Urgent and Express Canada Passport Pick-ups

If you need to have your passport ready quickly, you can opt for applying via the urgent and express service. However, check with Canada Government Immigration website to see the locations of passport services, as not all of them offer urgent and express services.

The processing times for the urgent and express service are as follows:

The urgent passport pick-up: by the end of the following working day.

The express passport pick-up: within 2 to 9 working days.

Keep in mind that urgent and express processing services are only available if you apply in person.

How Long Does it Take to get a Canada Passport as a Foreign National?

If you are a foreign national who wants to obtain Canadian citizenship, and this way, a Canadian passport, you can do so through naturalizations.

How long does it take to get a Canada passport through becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen? Well, roughly speaking, about ten years.

For one, you cannot apply for Canadian citizenship through naturalization if you have not lived in Canada as a Permanent Resident for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the 5 years preceding your citizenship application.

Additionally, you cannot apply for Permanent Residency if you have not lived in Canada as a Temporary Resident for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the 5 years preceding your application.

Then, also take into account that Canadian citizenship applications take 12 months to process.

What do You Need for a Canada Passport Application?

When applying for a new Canada passport, you should have the following documents with you:

Completed passport application form, available on the Government of Canada Immigration website.
Proof of Canadian citizenship, such as your birth certificate or certificate of citizenship.

An identification document (ID).

Two passport-size pictures, with the photographer’s name, address, and the date you took the pictures written on the back.

Any valid Canadian travel documents you have received.

If applicable: Documents related to:

Changing your name

Wanting to remove the place of birth from your passport

Wanting to replace lost, stolen or damaged passport

Wanting to change the gender identifier on your passport

Additionally, you need a guarantor (can be your family member or anyone living with you). Your guarantor has to:

Complete and sign the “Declaration of Guarantor” section of your application.

Sign the back of one of your passport photos, and write “I certify this to be a true likeness of [your name]”

Sign and date all the documents you have submitted relating to your identity.

You also need two references, who must fulfill the following conditions:

Known you for at least two years.

Six months, if you are applying for Certificate of Identity or Refugee Travel Document

They are not a close family member

Neither of them is your guarantor

They are 18 years old or older

If you are applying to renew your Canadian passport, you need the following documents:

Passport Renewal Application Form, available on the Government of Canada Immigration website.
Your current passport

Two passport-size pictures, with the photographer’s name, address, and the date you took the pictures written on the back.

Any additional documents related to changing your gender identifier or removing the place of birth on your passport.

You also need to have two references, who:

Are at least 18 years old

Are not any of your close family members

Have known you for at least two years

You must be at least 16 years old if you want to submit a Canada passport application in person