Check passport and travel document processing times and service standards
We’re working to deliver passports as quickly as we can. Due to high volumes, processing times are longer than usual. We may not always meet our service standards as a result.
You can find the service standards below to see approximately how long it may take us to process your application under normal circumstances.
What’s the difference between a service standard and a processing time?
The service standard for your application is our commitment to process your application in a certain amount of time, under normal circumstances.
The processing time for your application is the actual time it takes us to process your application. We can’t tell you exactly how long it will take.
- Your processing time
- starts once we have
- your application form
- all your supporting documents, and
- payment for your fees
- depends on whether your application is properly completed or not
- depends on how you applied
- doesn’t include mailing time
- starts once we have
- A small number of cases may take longer when we do
- routine verifications, and
- security checks
Service standards for regular passport applications submitted in Canada
Submitted in person at a passport office (Service Canada Centre – Passport Services)
business days
Due to high volumes, processing times are longer than usual. It may take longer than usual.
Submitted by mail or in person at a Service Canada Centre
business days
Due to high volumes, processing times are longer than usual. It may take longer than usual.
Standard pick-up
10
business days
Due to high volumes, processing times are longer than usual. It may take longer than usual.
We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
Check your application status
You can check the status of your application if you submitted it more than 20 business days ago.
If you just applied, wait at least 20 business days before contacting us.
Check the status of your applicationIf we don’t meet our service standards
We’re experiencing a high volume of passport applications right now. As a result, we may not always meet our service standards.
If you submit or submitted a passport or travel document application between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.
Find out about our policies for fee remissions:
Service standards for urgent or express passport applications submitted in Canada
Urgent pick-up
By the end of the next business day
Express pick-up
2 to 9
business days
We aren’t liable for any losses as a result of the passport not being issued to you or your child in time. We recommend you do not finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
A passport officer will tell you the date of your pick-up when you apply.
Learn more about urgent or express passport services.
Service standards for regular passport applications submitted from the US
Applications mailed from the US
business days
Due to high volumes, processing times are longer than usual. It may take longer than usual
Passports are printed in Canada, and mailing time varies by region. Because of this, you should give yourself extra time when applying. We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
Check your application status
You can check the status of your application if you submitted it more than 20 business days ago.
If you just applied, wait at least 20 business days before contacting us.
Check the status of your applicationIf we don’t meet our service standards
We’re experiencing a high volume of passport applications right now. As a result, we may not always meet our service standards.
If you submit or submitted a passport or travel document application between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.
Find out about our policies for fee remissions:
Service standards for regular passport applications submitted outside Canada and the US
Passports are printed in Canada, and mailing time varies by region. Because of this, you should give yourself extra time when applying. We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your passport.
Check your application status
You can check the status of your application if you submitted it more than 20 business days ago.
If you just applied, wait at least 20 business days before contacting us.
Check the status of your applicationIf we don’t meet our service standards
We’re experiencing a high volume of passport applications right now. As a result, we may not always meet our service standards.
If you submit or submitted a passport or travel document application between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.
Find out about our policies for fee remissions:
Service standards for travel document applications
We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your travel document.
Refugee travel document and certificate of identity services are now available
Find out how to apply for regular or urgent service.
If you already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us.
If we don’t meet our service standards
We’re experiencing a high volume of passport applications right now. As a result, we may not always meet our service standards.
If you submit or submitted a passport or travel document application between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.
Find out about our policies for fee remissions:
Service standards for urgent and express travel document applications Currently unavailable
Urgent pick-up
By the end of the next business day
Express pick-up
2 to 9
business days
Standard pick-up
20
business days
We recommend you don’t finalize any travel plans until you get your travel document.
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