Start date announced for long-awaited ‘money back’ guarantee on Canadian passport applications
Beginning April 1, 2026, Canadian citizens can expect to have their passport applications processed within 30 business days, or receive their passport for free.
Individuals who do not have their applications processed within this time frame will be issued a full automatic refunds of their passport fees.
Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for a Canadian Passport
This new policy is intended to strengthen accountability and streamline passport services by providing "a simpler and more predictable experience for Canadians."
The Government of Canada first announced this initiative in March 2025, stating it would come into effect later that year, but this deadline was missed.
Canada's April 1 implementation date was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on March 3, 2026 through an online news release.
This new policy applies to any passport application regardless of submission method: online, in person, or by mail, and will apply to the following application types:
- Adult five-year passport in Canada;
- Adult 10-year passport in Canada;
- Child regular passport in Canada;
- Adult five-year passport from abroad;
- Adult 10-year passport from abroad; and
- Temporary passport.
Individuals applying for adult refugee travel documents and adult certificates of identity will also receive refunds if their applications are not processed within service standards.
Information on refunds
Refunds for applications submitted within Canada or from the US will come in the form of a cheque and will be sent to the mailing address on file.
Any applications submitted from outside Canada or the US that are not processed within 30 days will see fees refunded through credit card (if one was used), or via cheque or an electronic funds transfer.
Currently, the Government of Canada provides refunds as such depending on how long it takes for one’s application to be processed:
- Applications processed within 1–10 business days outside service standards: refunded 25% of service fee.
- Applications processed more than 10 business days outside service standards: refunded 50% of service fee.
Per the government, not all fees are deemed refundable under the Service Fees Act, including:
- $25 consular fee for adult applications;
- This fee is collected on behalf of Global Affairs Canada for facilitating consular services outside Canada.
- Fees related to urgent or expedited passport services; and
- For example: transfer fees, or urgent and express pick-up services.
- Applications for child certificates or identity and child refugee travel documents.
Upcoming fee increases
Passport applications that are received on or after March 31, 2026, will be subject to increased fees.
The table below breaks down current fees (before March 31) and new fees following this date:
| Passport type | Old fee | New fee |
|---|---|---|
| 10-year adult passport (living in Canada) | $160 | $163.50 |
| 5-year adult passport (living in Canada) | $120 | $122.50 |
| 10-year adult passport (living outside Canada | $260 | $266.25 |
| 5-year adult passport (living outside Canada) | $190 | $194.25 |
| 5-year child passport (living in Canada) | $57 | $58.50 |
| 5-year child passport (living outside Canada) | $100 | $102.50 |
| Temporary passport | $110 | $125.75 |
| Interim passport | $135 | $150.75 |
| Adult certificate of identity | $260 | $266.25 |
| Adult refugee travel document | $120 | $122.50 |
These are the fees Canadians can expect to pay if their passports are processed within 30 business days.
Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for a Canadian Passport
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
