After revealing the new passport design, Canadian Government recently announced that Canadians who will be qualified for simplified passport renewals would soon be able to renew their passports online.  

On the day IRCC revealed the new passport design, Mr.Fraser announced that as a part of the new passport process, qualified Canadians would be going to upload all the necessary documents as well as photos online on the government website.  

Note: Last year, in March, the Canadian government raised the number of qualified individuals for simplified passport renewals. 

The below-mentioned groups would be eligible for the upcoming online passport renewal system of Canada as of May 2023.  

  • Individuals having expired passports that were issued within the last 15 years. 
  • Individuals whose passports were damaged, lost, or stolen.  

There is a difference between a simplified passport renewal and a standard passport renewal. That is the requirement of the documents for both processes.  

The standard passport renewal process requires the applicant’s original documents, such as citizenship proof or photo identification. Contrarily, the simplified passport renewal process requires the following things: 

  • Two photos of the applicant 
  • Two references 
  • Complete application forms 
  • Payable fees 

The IRCC expects that the new changes and online procedures the department proposes to incorporate later this year will make passport processing faster and easier. 

However, it’s noteworthy that new passport applicants are still required to follow the standard application process via Service Canada.  

The different advantages of a Canadian Passport 

Passports are most commonly used as travel documents. However, in actuality, passports are much more than documents that you use at the airport while leaving or returning for a trip. 

1. Without a visa, get access to 185 countries. 

As per the Henley & Partners 2022 report, with a Canadian passport, individuals can get entry to 185 countries without needing a visa.  

In addition, the Canadian passport secured eighth place in the latest Global Passport Rankings. This implies that individuals having a Canadian passport can take advantage of the best access levels to other countries worldwide without undergoing any kind of visa-acquiring process.  

2. Ability to keep dual passports (Canadian and home country) 

Canada permits the keeping of dual passports for dual citizens. This means that such individuals can maintain a Canadian, as well as a home passport that was provided by their home country. 

It is assumed that their home country also permits the same. Note that Canadian dual citizens can maintain multiple passports they are eligible for.  

3. Advantages of Canadian Citizenship 

Obtaining a Canadian passport does not entitle you to citizenship. If an individual has acquired a Canadian passport, this means that he is a Canadian citizen. 

Having a Canadian passport authorizes you to have the benefits of all the rights and privileges that a Canadian-born citizen enjoys.  

For instance, one of the valuable rights that a Canadian citizen is awarded is the right to vote in an election.  

In addition, Canadian citizens have access to numerous increased employment possibilities, especially those that are unavailable for Canadians of other statuses (permanent resident, temporary resident, etc.).