Applying for a Canadian Passport
It also explains how you can track the status of your application and what to do if you encounter any problems with your application. My personal experiences applying for a Canadian passport were not all positive. Although I applied for a Canadian passport several times over the course of several years, my applications were continually delayed or denied.
Although I didn’t lose hope, I decided to use this experience to create this article so that others don’t have to endure the same hassles and disappointments that I did. The requirements for applying for a Canadian passport vary depending on your citizenship status.
Types Of Canadian Citizenship
There are three types of citizenship in Canada;
- Full citizenship;
- Partial citizenship, and
- Landed immigrant.
Citizenship by birth and citizenship by descent require different processes than those who acquire citizenship by marriage or adoption. It is important to check with your immigration office or consulate for specific requirements and how to apply for a Canadian passport. Also, if you live in Canada but are from a country other than Canada, you will need to follow different procedures than if you live in Canada.
Regardless of your citizenship status, there are certain steps that you must take in order to apply for a Canadian passport.
Steps On How To Apply For A Canadian Passport
These steps include:
- Apply for a Canadian passport by submitting an application form (an online application form may be available).
- Fill out the application form completely.
- Provide all required documentation.
- Sign the application form (for those born in Canada).
- Submit the application form at your nearest Passport Canada center.
- Check the status of your application by going to the CIC Website.
Documents Required
In order to apply for a Canadian passport, there are documents that are really important and must be submitted alongside the application form.
- All three pages of the application form, must be signed within twelve months and be certified by your guarantor;
- Two identical and recent passport photographs – the passport photographs must not have headgears worn, glasses, or makeup. It has to be on a white background;
- Proof of Canadian citizenship – and for permanent residents, you have to bring proof of residency;
- Proof of identity;
- Any Canadian passport or travel document issued to you within the last 5 years.
Note: You may be required to submit other additional documents depending on your application and also if the documents are not in English/French, you may have to translate them from a certified translator.
How Much Is The Canadian Application Fees
It will cost you, CAD, $80 for each child under 18 years of age who is traveling with you on your Canadian passport. If you are applying for a child over 18 years of age, then you have to pay CAD $65 per person.
If you have your own temporary documents such as a driving license, work permit, refugee claimant card, study permit, temporary resident visa, NEXUS card, diplomatic visa, employment authorization card, study permit extension, or permanent resident card, then you can waive off the processing fee.
For Permanent Residents (as mentioned above), it will cost you, CAD, $120 per person. For others, it will cost you, CAD, $60 per person.
A special waiver will cost you, CAD, $120.
However, there are also some groups that do not have to pay the fee at all.
As for international students who are studying in Canada on a student visa, they do not have to pay the fee either. If you are studying in Canada as a full-time student then you do not have to pay the fee either. Also, if you are applying for your first time and if you are an international student studying in Canada as a part-time student, then you do not have to pay the fee either.
There are certain circumstances where you can apply for a waiver of the fee. Some of these include being able to prove that you cannot afford the fee. The application form clearly asks for details about your income and expenses. You can include any supporting documents that would confirm that you cannot afford the fee. These could include information from a doctor or social worker that would show that you cannot afford the fee.
Some people apply for a waiver due to other factors such as political reasons. Those who apply for a waiver because they cannot afford the fee may also get some extra points added to their applications if they provide proof that they have recently relocated from another country or state due to safety concerns or some other personal reasons.
Eligibility Requirements
As earlier stated you can not get a Canadian passport if you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. Therefore you have to meet the eligibility criteria that enable you to apply for a Canadian passport.
In order to apply for Canadian citizenship you have;
- to show proof that you can comfortably speak one of Canada’s official languages – either English or French;
- be a permanent resident;
- must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for 1,095 days out of the five years before you apply;
- must have filed for taxes three years out of five years you have been residing in Canada, all taxes owed must be paid before you apply for Canadian citizenship.
Note: You may already be a citizen of one of your parents who was a citizen when you were born.
In addition, do note that your application may be returned to you incomplete by IRCC if the documents do not stipulate distinctly if you have adequate knowledge on how to speak English or French.