With more Canadians travelling again and passport processing backlogged due to volume and shutdowns during the pandemic, Canada has expanded and simplified the application process for document renewals, as long as they have been issued within the past 15 years.

Effective immediately, Canadians in Canada and abroad can now use the simplified process to renew an expired passport. The simplified process is also available to individuals who had their passport lost, stolen or damaged. Previously, the simplified renewal process wasn’t available for passports expired longer than a year or those that were lost, stolen or damaged.

• With the simplified renewal process, applicants don’t need to have a guarantor or to provide their original documents, such as proof of citizenship or photo identification. They simply need two photos, two references, their completed form, and the applicable fees.

The changes will make renewing a passport easier, while maintaining the highest level of program integrity, says the government.

“As international travel resumes, we need to continue to modernize and improve our passport services to make sure we meet the needs of Canadians. Simplifying the renewal process will make it easier and faster for Canadians to get their passport and is another step toward greater modernization while prioritizing the health and safety of Canadians and our employees,” says Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser.

Nevertheless, with the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions and the demand for passports – both new and renewals – returning to pre-pandemic levels, the government recommends that Canadians apply early and not finalize any travel plans until they have received their new passport.

But thanks to the simplified process, Canadians without imminent travel plans do not need to rush to renew an expired or soon-to-expire passport.