The Government of Canada has resumed the passport services for its people. Canadians who require a passport urgently have the facility to apply for it by mail.
They can request for in-person appointments for their passport requirement if they need to travel within 30 days, and need their passport immediately.
However, the government has appealed to Canadians to postpone their passport application if they do not have any travel plans. Because the government intends to process genuine and urgent applications first. Thus, it might create a delay in processing times in case there are many unnecessary applications. Additionally, it is necessary for the staff to follow the coronavirus safety measures.
Furthermore, the federal government has allowed an extension to the simplified renewal process. Through this process, an individual is able to apply for passport renewal without the need for resubmitting a guarantor declaration and citizenship documents.
If your Canadian passport has expired on February 1, 2019 or after this date, you can now apply through the simplified process within 2 years after the expiry date. Earlier, you must have applied within one year only. So, the government has extended this duration by one more year now.
As of now, the Service Canada Centres are providing passport services on the basis of an appointment only. You can search for the nearest Service Canada Centre through an online tool provided by the Canadian government.
Canadians in foreign countries can get the travel document services by contacting the nearest office of the Government of Canada.
Also, the government is urgently processing documents of refugees related to identity certificates and travel documents.
Simply stated, resuming the passport services by mail is a pivotal step for those who need a passport for essential travel. And the immigration minister also believes that Canada is making every effort to help the public.
