Canada’s service report indicates that passport processing has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
An ESDC news release recently stated that there are currently no backlogs in passport applications. And most applications are delivered ahead of schedule by Service Canada. From April 19 to May 1, 12 days of strike action by the Public Service Alliance of Canada caused only a minor inconvenience.
At present, most passport applications are delivered within 10-20 days of being submitted (depending on how they are completed). ESDC reports that almost 98% of passports are issued within service requirements regardless of the intake technique.
An unprecedented demand for new or renewed passports was caused by the removal of multiple COVID-19 travel restrictions one year ago. Due to the long lines at passport offices, many people camped out overnight to submit their applications in person.
As a result of an anticipated surge in passport renewals this summer, service enhancements have been implemented by passport staff. Passports issued by Canada in July 2013 will expire soon; they will have a 10-year lifespan.
As a result of improvements in service, new Canadian citizens shouldn’t have any problems making plans for this summer’s family visit.
Improvements to Canadian passport services
From April 2022 to March 2023, Passport Canada granted a total of 3,346,223 passports, with 852,589 passports issued in 2023 thus far. For the fiscal year 2023-2024, it expects to issue approximately 4.3-4.9 million passports. Only Canadian citizens are eligible to acquire passports.
To ensure service quality, Service Canada aims to offer online passport renewal. Starting from May of this year, individuals with passports that have expired within the last 15 years or have been lost, stolen, or damaged can conveniently submit the necessary paperwork online instead of waiting in line at an office or sending important documents by mail.
This rule does not apply to newly naturalized Canadian citizens who are applying for their initial passport.
Furthermore, Service Canada has established 7 new passport offices in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia that provide expedited 10-day processing.
The offices are located at:
- Dryden, Ontario
- Prince George, British Columbia
- Timmins, Ontario
- Lac-Mégantic, Quebec
- Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec
- Gaspé, Quebec
- Saint-Georges, Quebec
ESDC reports that more than 702,000 Canadians have used its online status checker website since it launched on March 21, 2023.
