Canadian citizens 16 years of age or older can now renew their passports online, provided the passport was issued within the last 15 years. The service, launched on July 28 2026, is available only to applicants residing in Canada.
Key features of the online renewal system
- Eligibility – Canadian passport holders aged 16 or older whose passport was issued no more than 15 years ago.
- Application process – Applicants upload a digital passport photo (must be taken by a commercial photographer) and all required supporting documents through the government portal; original documents remain in the applicant’s possession.
- Real‑time updates – The system provides status notifications as the application moves through processing stages.
- Processing timeline – The government targets completion within 20 business days. If processing exceeds 30 business days, the applicant receives a free passport.
- Capacity – Up to 2 million eligible applications are expected to use the new service.
Operational details
- The online renewal does not replace existing in‑person or mail‑in options; it adds an alternative channel aimed at reducing wait times and minimizing errors that cause delays.
- Applications must be submitted from within Canada.
The service was announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab during a press conference in Vancouver at 10 a.m. Pacific Time on July 28, 2026. Further information will be released as the program rolls out.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
