How Do I Apply for A Canadian Passport?

Canada, like many other countries, uses an ePassport that is issued to Canadian citizens. An e-Passport, similar to a Canadian passport, is a 36-page book with a data chip inside. It contains basic information about the traveler that can be used to identify them.

As a Canadian citizen, you must carry your passport with you as identification when traveling across borders. Before you can enter a country, you must present your passport, which will be scanned to verify your identity.

The Canadian passport is ranked 10th in the world by the Montreal-based financial firm Arton Capital’s Global Passport Index.

You can visit over 114 countries without a visa if you have a Canadian passport.

What are the benefits of having a Canadian passport ?

1. To help identify you and reduce fraud or identity theft.
2. A Canadian passport is used to identify Canadian citizens anywhere in the world
3. An e-Passport helps to uniquely identify a person’s country of origin, which country a traveler is coming from, and where they are going.
4. Enhanced Privacy protection
5. Ease of handling entry and exit at border controls with automated passport readers.

Requirement and Documents Needed to Apply for a Canadian Passport

1. Proof of Canadian citizenship
2. A valid document that authenticates your identity
3. Two identical passport photograph
4. A valid and recent Canadian travel document issued to you in your name.
5. Your application form signed within the past 12 months and duly certified by a guarantor.
6. Additional documents may be required (Such as language test score) in their original copies, and those not written in English or French will be submitted along with a proper translation.

Steps To Get Your Own Canadian Passport

You must be at least 16 years old and a Canadian citizen to apply for a Canadian passport. Parents or guardians may apply on behalf of their minor children. Here are a few steps to follow.

1. Download or get the Application form from IRCC official website, or the Passport office directly.
2. Fill out the application form correctly and sign each page.
3. Attach all necessary documents to the form, especially the two identical passport photographs.
4. Obtain a guarantor and two references to help confirm your identity. Your guarantor could be:

• Anyone who has known you for at least 2 years;
• Must be a Canadian citizen above 18 years;
• Should have a valid Canadian passport, or at least have a passport that has not expired for more than a year.