The new Canadian passports were unveiled today by Ministers of Families, Children, and Social Development, Karina Gould, and Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser.
Since 2013, work has been ongoing on redesigning the passport. The government claims that preventing counterfeiting and incorporating more advanced security measures is a routine operation.
To protect Canadians’ identity, the new passport has security measures in place. Minister Fraser emphasized that the passport would feature a polycarbonate data page and that personal data previously printed with ink will now be laser engraved. This is done to increase the data page’s strength and resistance to forging and tampering. Additionally, there is a variable laser image, a custom see-through glass with a secondary image of the passport holder, a variable laser image, and a temperature-sensitive ink feature.
The minister said that the document’s design will honor Canada’s natural heritage. According to him, extensive stakeholder involvement led to the design. He added that in order to increase security, designs must be completely rebuilt every few years.
In order to facilitate the transition, Minister Gould stated that some Canadians may get old-style passports throughout the summer; nonetheless, these passports are still secure and valid.
As of May 5, 209,548 passport applications had been submitted and 210,171 passports had been issued, according to the most recent information from Passport Canada.
Recent processing delays at Passport Canada were brought on by the Public Service Alliance of Canada strike, which affected over 155,000 federal workers.
Between the weeks of April 17–23 and April 24–30, there was a 45% decrease in the volume of applications processed.
How to apply for a Canadian passport?
You must submit a passport application in order to obtain a Canadian passport. You must submit the following paperwork with your application form:
- A birth certificate or citizenship certificate is acceptable as evidence of Canadian citizenship.
- Any current Canadian passport or other authorized travel documents
- A photocopy of a proof-of-identity document, such as an identification card
- With the applicant’s name, address, and the date the images were taken stated on the reverse, two identical passport photos are required.
English or French must be used on all documents. You are required to produce an official translation of any documents that are not in English.
Two references must also be included with your application. They cannot be a family member and must have known you for at least two years.
The Canadian passport is rated highly.
In the most current Global Passport Ranking study in September 2022, Canada tied for eighth place overall. The eighth place also went to Australia, Greece, Malta, and the Czech Republic.
According to how many more nations a citizen may visit without obtaining a visa, passports are rated.
Holders of Canadian passports are reportedly eligible for visa-free travel to 185 nations. Japan’s passports are the best in the world since its inhabitants can travel to 193 different nations. Of 192 nations, Singapore and South Korea shared second place. Afghanistan’s passport scored the lowest and only allows entrance into 27 countries without a visa.
