AI Generated Summary
- Canada will implement a modest increase in passport and travel document fees beginning this spring, as the federal government moves to align costs with inflation and the rising expense of producing secure identification documents.
- If the deadline is not met, applicants will receive a full refund of the passport fee automatically, without needing to file a claim.
- At present, Passport Canada processes most standard applications in around 20 business days, whether the application is submitted in person, by mail, online, or through Service Canada outreach centres.
Canada will implement a modest increase in passport and travel document fees beginning this spring, as the federal government moves to align costs with inflation and the rising expense of producing secure identification documents.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the revised fees will come into effect on March 31, 2026, marking the first adjustment since 2013. Officials said the update is part of a broader plan to ensure passport services remain financially sustainable while maintaining high security standards.
Under the revised structure, Canadians applying within the country will pay slightly higher fees for standard passports. The cost of a five-year adult passport will increase from $120 to $122.50, while a 10-year adult passport will rise from $160 to $163.50. Fees for children’s five-year passports will also increase, moving from $57 to $58.50.
Applicants residing outside Canada will see larger increases. The fee for a 10-year adult passport issued abroad will rise to $266.25, up by $6.25, while a five-year adult passport will cost $194.25, reflecting a $4.25 increase.
Additional service charges—including those for urgent processing, weekend or holiday service, and temporary or interim passports—will also be adjusted upward.
Alongside the fee changes, the government is introducing a new service guarantee aimed at improving accountability in passport processing. Beginning April 1, 2026, authorities promise that complete passport applications will be processed within 30 business days. If the deadline is not met, applicants will receive a full refund of the passport fee automatically, without needing to file a claim.
At present, Passport Canada processes most standard applications in around 20 business days, whether the application is submitted in person, by mail, online, or through Service Canada outreach centres.
Government officials say the updated fees and service guarantee are intended to make the passport system more predictable and efficient while ensuring Canadians continue to receive reliable travel document services.
