A Canadian passport is a key to numerous opportunities. It’s not just a travel document but a gateway to numerous benefits and exclusive advantages. Explore the Canadian Passport Advantages in this blog and discover what it means to hold a Canadian passport.

Henley & Partners has ranked the Canadian passport seventh among the most recognized passports worldwide. When determining the value of a passport in terms of Global Mobility Spectrum, Henley & Partners is regarded as the standard reference tool. Its index ranks passports of around 199 countries and 227 distinct travel destinations.

Canadian passport was ranked besides the passports of Czechia, Greece, Poland, and the United States.

As per its report, a Canadian passport permits visa-free travel opportunities to around 183 countries. This means that with a Canadian passport, you can travel to specific countries without needing a visa. 

This makes it one of the most significant passports worldwide.

This year, the Singaporean passport was the most widely accepted worldwide, providing access to 193 countries, with Japan close behind, providing access to 192 countries. Contrary to this, when talking about the last position on the list this year, Afghanistan’s passport ranked last, allowing visa-free access to only 27 countries.

Canadian Passport Advantages: How Canadian Passport Impacts Travelling?

Holding a Canadian passport provides users with several perks and significantly influences their travel activities. If you obtain a Canadian passport, you gain unrestricted entry or exit into Canada. Also, you don’t need visas or permits or face other travel restraints to enter or exit the country. 

Notably, Canadian citizens are only eligible to obtain passports. Canadian permanent residents, as well as temporary residents, do not qualify for it.

As stated above, individuals with Canadian passports can travel to nearly 183 countries worldwide without a visa. The following are some of these countries:

• Japan;
• Brazil; 
• Singapore;
• South Korea;
• Australia and New Zealand;
• The Schengen Area
• The United Arab Emirates
• The United States; and
• The United Kingdom;

Moreover, it is considerable that Canada permits dual citizenship. This means you may hold multiple passports if your country of origin also has a dual citizenship policy. So, if you apply for a Canadian passport, you are not necessarily required to give up your current passport. You are permitted to hold as many passports as you are eligible for. 

Become a Canadian Citizen First to be Eligible for Passport

Prior to obtaining a Canadian passport, you need to become a citizen of Canada. The process involves several steps, which are explained below. 

Firstly, attain permanent resident status in Canada and satisfy the “Physical Presence Rule” of the Country. This means that you must show that you have resided in Canada for a minimum of three years of the last five years. This roughly equates to 1095 days.

In addition, you must have submitted your taxes if they apply to you.  

Besides these, you also need to pass a Canadian citizenship test and prove your language abilities to showcase your understanding and communication capabilities. 

In situations where you obtained your PR status differently, all these requirements remain the same and must be fulfilled.   

Overall, if you are following a naturalization route to obtain Canadian citizenship, there is a general requirement of a minimum of three years of physical presence in Canada.

It should be noted that if you are a biological child of a Canadian citizen who held citizenship status at the time of your birth, you may qualify to inherit Canadian citizenship status directly from your parent. 

The Process of Attaining a Canadian Passport and Eligibility Requirement

You can apply for a Canadian passport when you have completed your citizenship ceremony and obtained your citizenship certificate. 

Every Canadian citizen qualifies to apply for a Canadian passport. Typically, it’s unusual that someone is discovered to be unqualified. However, if you are deemed ineligible, your citizenship may be withdrawn. This may be due to misunderstandings in your application or if it is subject to security issues, human or international rights violations, or relation to arranged crime and more.

Additionally, the process of applying for the passport also demands distinct paperwork. You need several documents to prove your citizenship. Your Canadian citizenship certificate is the most important document, and in your application, you must supply an original copy of your certificate. Also, every Canadian must supply a Canadian birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

The following are the other necessary documents required in your application:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship. This can either be a citizenship certificate or a Canadian birth certificate;
• At least two references that support your passport application;
• Any travel document or a valid Canadian passport issued in your name. This can be a refugee travel document or certificate of identity;
• Two identical passport-size photographs; and
• A document verifying your identity.

Note that you’ll need a guarantor if you are applying for your first Canadian passport. A guarantor is required to satisfy specific requirements to be eligible. The requirements may change depending on the type of passport as well as the location from which you’ve submitted the application.

 You can submit a passport application online, and the application process may be completed at a Service Canada center. This can be done with a pre-scheduled appointment or via a walk-in service.

What is the Passport Processing Span?

In Canada, there is currently a high demand for new passports and passport renewals. This is because of the ease of travel restrictions worldwide caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, the Canadian government has launched an efficient tool that allows for the tracking of processing times.

Presently, the time the Canadian government takes to process a passport application from within Canada may vary depending on the type of service. Regular processing takes 10 to 20 business days, whereas urgent processing could take 2 to 9 days or may even be processed by the end of the next day.

So, if you intend to travel outside Canada in the near future, you should submit your passport application as soon as possible. 

Additional Benefits of Canadian Passport 

Holding a Canadian passport provides several other perks besides the above-specified unrestricted travel. This section will highlight the Canadian passport advantages. 

 With a Canadian passport, you will be identified as a Canadian citizen and can avail yourself of all the rights and liberties enjoyed by Canadian citizens. In particular, you’ll be eligible to vote in the country’s election, seek a political office, and be eligible for jobs that demand higher security clearances.

Another benefit that you can enjoy by being a citizen of Canada is the elimination of status renewal that you may need to appear every five years. This is particularly necessary for PRs. This leads to lower application submission fees and avoids the trouble of asking Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for extensions.

Ultimately, Canada also offers extra benefits to new Canadians for the first year of their citizenship. A report shows that 80% of individuals with Permanent resident status in Canada aim to attain Canadian citizenship. This is especially due to these advantages.

Apply For Your Passport To Enjoy the Perks!

If you intend to avail yourself of all the privileges of being a Canadian citizen, you must apply for your Canadian passport. Ensure you adhere to the rules & regulations and fulfill all the eligibility requirements to obtain your passport. 

All the documents must be valid, and the application must be clear to obtain approval. This guide outlines all the necessary steps you must adhere to obtain your passport and enjoy the Canadian Passport Advantages.