Canada to allow online passport renewal services this fall

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says Canadians will be able to apply to renew their passports online beginning this fall.

Fraser made the announcement at an event to unveil a new design for Canada’s passport.

The new design includes increased security features such as a “polycarbonate data page,” similar to a driver’s licence said Fraser.

He also said Canadians will be able to upload the necessary documents and passport photo on a safe government website.

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Individuals applying for new passports will still need to go through the traditional application process with Service Canada, including children.

Families Minister Karina Gould said the digital option is a response to high volume passport applications last year that resulted in long lines and wait times for document processing.

While the majority of passport applications received by the government are for new passports, Gould anticipates a surge in passport renewals in the next year, as the first batch of 10-year passports issued in 2013 are due to expire.