A Canadian passport is a document passport issued to either the citizens or immigrants which allows them to enter, leave and re-enter the country. A Canadian passport given to immigrants is usually times i.e it has an expiry date either for five or ten years. The Canadian passport is given by the Canadian government via the Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) program. If you’re considering moving to Canada and either you have applied or not for visa application – this is for you. In this article, we will break the ice for you and spill the water; explaining all you need to know about Canadian passports.
Types of Canadian Passport
The type of Canadian Passport you will receive as a non-citizen of Canada is different when you are a citizen of Canada which usually depends on your reasons or purpose of request. The type of Canadian passport include the following:
- Regular Passport: This Canadian passport has a navy blue cover and this type is issued to citizens who are going for vacations or for the purpose of business trips or seminars. They are issued to adults who are 16 years or older for a period of 5 or 10 years and also to children below 16 years for the period of 5 or 10 years.
- Diplomatic Passport: A diplomatic passport has a maroon cover and is specially issued to the senior citizens of the country, e.g an high ranking government official, Canadian diplomats, or private citizens on an official assignment and sometimes they are given to immediate family members or relatives of the above aforementioned names. Even though only the Governor General and prime prime minister’s family members can use their diplomatic passport for all types travel as per the order given by the diplomats
- Special Passport: This type of passport has a green cover and is issued specially to the officials or people representing Canada on official business including provincial cabinet members, parliament members, public servants or civil workers, and to citizens who are used as Canadian forces or non official diplomats, etc.
- Temporary Passport: The temporary passport is in white colour. It contains a total of eight pages. They are issued to Canadian citizens who live outside Canada and their regular application is being processed. Other types of Canadian passport include:
- Emergency Travel documents: They’re issued once to Canadian citizens for direct return to their home.
- Refugee Travel documents: They are issued to refugees in camp mainly because they couldn’t obtain their national passport which will allow them to travel to anywhere or their respective countries.
The Issuance of a Canadian Passport
The issuance of a Canadian is under the authority of the royal prerogative and issued in the name of the reigning Canadian monarch. Even though all Canadian citizens have the right to enter Canada according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and freedoms. You can apply for your Canadian passport in person at a passport office or you apply by email. If you’re applying outside Canada like the US or other countries, it’s best to apply by email.
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Reasons for Refusal of Passport
Your Canadian passport application will be rejected or will not be renewed due to the following:
- Misrepresentation of person in the application process
- Criminal offence
- Failure to complete the application process
- Submission of incomplete documents
How long does it take to get your Canadian passport
The processing time for a Canadian passport depends largely on the time of application, early submission of application form and documents, etc. However, under normal circumstances, the processing time for a Canadian passport if you apply in person at the passport office is approximately 10 working days, applying by mail or service agent could take 20 working days.
How long does it take to renew your Canadian passport
A Canadian passport renewal processing time usually takes the same time as taking your Canadian passport for the first time. Anyways if you are applying for your Canadian passport in person at the passport office, it will require 10 working days but with an agent or mail application, it will take approximately 20 working days.
What are the requirements for a Canadian passport?
If you’re applying for a new Canada passport either in person or via email, you will need the following documents:
- A complete passport application form ( you can get this on the Canadian government Immigration website
- Birth certificate or certificate of citizenship
- A valid ID number
- Two passport photographs
- Other valid Canadian documents which may include: Changing of name, Changing of place of birth, changing of gender, etc. A guarantor is also needed and two references who have known for more than six months.
But if you’re applying for a renewal, you will need the following documents:
- A passport renewal application form( you can get this on the Canadian Government Immigration website)
- Your current passport
- Two passport size pictures submitted along with the holder’s name, address and the date the pictures were taken. And other documents regarding a change of name, gender or place of birth.
- Two references who are 18 years or older, not a family member but have known you for at least two years.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the information found in a Canadian Passport Card?
Below are the information found in a Canadian passport:
- Surname
- Given name
- Photo of the passport holder
- Issuing country
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Date of issue
- Date of expiry
2. When can I request for my Canadian passport?
If you’re a Canadian citizen, young or old, you can request for your passport at any convenient time. It’s better if you’re at least 16 years old or older.
3. What are the conditions that could warrant the need for a Canadian passport?
As a Canadian citizen, you will need your Canadian passport anytime now or in the future but in three different situations:
- First application as a Canadian citizen
- Your Canadian passport is expired and you request for a renewal.
- You may request for a Canadian passport if you’re a Government official from another country and you want to get Canada citizenship.