Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Passports and travel documents
We’re experiencing very high call volumes right now. Wait times are longer than usual. If you do not have travel plans in the next 2 weeks, we suggest you wait to call us.
Find out which passport and travel document services are available, including how to
- apply
- check the status of your application
- contact us
Floods in British Columbia
If you’re directly affected by the floods, you may be able to get
- free replacement of documents that are lost, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible due to the floods
- urgent processing and a refund for an application you’ve submitted because of the floods
This page has information about the services we have available and how to access them.
Before you travel
- review the travel requirements that are still in place
- Some Dual citizens need a valid Canadian passport or special authorization to board their flights.
- get your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination from your province or territory. New
Passport services
We’ve put measures in place to protect both you and our employees’ health and safety. These measures have affected how quickly we can process applications. If you need to contact us, fill out our form and we’ll get back to you.
If you need to renew your passport, you may have extra time.
Always check the latest official travel advice before travelling abroad. You may need to provide proof of vaccination and COVID-19 tests, depending on where you’re going.
If you’re able to get vaccinated, we encourage you to do so, whether you plan to travel or not. Health Canada-approved vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19.
In Canada
Passport services are available. We’ll tell you how to apply based on how soon you need a passport.
In the United States
Passport services are available. You must apply by mail.
We may request additional information from you.
If you need a passport urgently
Contact the nearest Government of Canada office in the United States.
Outside Canada and the United States
Passport services are reduced. You need to apply at a Government of Canada office abroad.
Before you apply, contact them by telephone or email.
We may request additional information from you.
If you need a passport urgently
Contact the nearest Government of Canada office.
How to apply
Find out how to apply
- to renew an adult passport
- You may be able to renew your passport if it expired within the past 15 years. New
- for a new adult passport
- for a child’s passport
- to get certified true copies
- to change a name
We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
We aren’t liable for any losses if we can’t deliver your passport in time.
Check your application status
You can check your application status if you submitted it more than 20 business days ago.
If you just applied, wait at least 20 business days before contacting us.
Refugee travel document or certificate of identity services (available for urgent travel only)
You can only get travel document services in Canada if you have a valid reason to travel urgently.
Valid urgent travel reasons include if you’re travelling
- for a medical reason because you have a serious illness
- because of the serious illness or death of someone you know
- because you’ll have financial problems from the loss of a job or business
- to support an essential service
- for humanitarian reasons
- You need a letter from your organization that lists the humanitarian reasons.
The loss of airfare or other travel expenses is not a valid reason for urgent travel.
If you submitted an application in person or by mail and you don’t need to travel urgently, we’ll process it when normal services resume.
If you don’t need a travel document urgently, wait until normal services resume.
We suggest you don’t apply if
- you don’t meet the above criteria for urgent travel
- you have symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing or a fever
- you’re in isolation
Get urgent refugee travel document or certificate of identity services
Fill out the IRCC web form:
- select the category for a certificate of identity or a refugee travel document
- include your travel date
- include the reason you need urgent services
Passport and travel document fees
COVID-19 is causing disruptions to our services that are beyond our control. As a result, we may not always meet our passport and travel document service standards.
If you submit a passport or travel document application between April 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.
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