Question Period Note: Passport Services

Passport Program Services

• Canadians deserve a dependable passport service that is efficient, accessible, and responsive to their travel needs.

• Canadians can access passport services at Service Canada Centres, most within 50 kms of where they live.

If pressed on online renewals:
• Online adult passport renewals was launched in 2024. A phased rollout, allows us to make sure it works smoothly.
• This new online option will provide a more convenient and accessible way for clients to renew their passport.
• Clients who used the new online renewal option report high satisfaction with the service (87%) and improved clarity regarding their application status.

If pressed on Kfar Saba enquiry
• While we cannot comment on specific cases due to privacy considerations, we can confirm the city of Kfar Saba can be printed in Canadian travel documents with Israel as the country of birth.
• The Passport Program's place of birth policy is in alignment with Canada’s international policies.
• No changes have been made regarding the issuing of passports for individuals born in Israel.

• The Passport Program is led by IRCC in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
• Through the Canadian Passport Order, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) authorizes ESDC and GAC to exercise specific functions to support service delivery domestically and abroad.
• Canadians can access passport services at 336 sites, including 60 sites offering standard 10-day pick-up services (of which, 37 sites also offer express services), in addition to 249 scheduled outreach sites that provide in-person services to communities without easy access, through dedicated call centres, through Member of Parliament offices, and via mail at three processing centres in Canada.
• Current service standards are to process in-person applications within 10 business days and mail-in applications within 20 business days. Service standard adherence for the 2024-25 fiscal year was 78 %.This has improved significantly in 2025-26.
• Since December 2024, a limited number of eligible adult Canadians seeking to renew their passports in-Canada can also apply online. Daily limits on online application submissions continue while IRCC ensures new digital processes are working smoothly. Daily limits have been increasing since launch (126/day as of May 4, 2025 to 1000 in Fall 2025) and it is anticipated that it will be possible to remove the daily limit altogether by winter 2025.
• Managing the daily number of applicants who can access the new online account provides time needed to monitor system performance, make system updates, and ensure the system is working before the service is more broadly available.
• Overseas passport services are provided at 120 full service and 85 partial service missions, around the world. Service levels abroad continue to vary depending on the localized situation.
• In cases where service standards are not met, the Program issues a 25% refund to clients when an application is processed between 1-10 business days outside of service standards, and 50% to clients for 11+ business days beyond service standards.

Gender X
• Since 2019, and in accordance with international standards, IRCC has offered clients three options to be displayed in the field: Female (F), Male (M) or Another Gender (X).
• IRCC’s current operational policy requires clients to complete a one-page gender identifier request when their supporting documentation (e.g., birth certificate, etc.) or prior passport does not include their affirmed gender identity.
• Official Government of Canada travel advisories warn travellers if their passport indicates “X” as a gender identifier, they may face entry restrictions into some countries.
• Travellers are advised they may still be asked to provide binary sex information when travelling and that they may be denied services in their affirmed gender. While travelling outside Canada, travellers are subject to, and must follow, local laws even if these laws infringe on their human rights.
• The Government of Canada cannot guarantee entry or transit through other countries. The decision to travel is always the responsibility of the traveller.

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