NPZ Immigration Law Blog

The process to obtain a passport in Canada may change significantly as of July 2, 2013. Primary responsibility for Passport Canada will move from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The decision was felt to be in line with the duties CIC already performs, such as determining Canadian citizenship.

We are told that Canadians will not experience an interruption of services. Access to passport services will continue through all of the same service locations currently available in Canada through the existing network of 144 Service Canada Centres, 56 Canada Post intake locations, and 34 passport offices across the country. Service Canada will assume responsibility for passport operations, and, over time, services will expand to more Service Canada Centres and Canadians will ultimately even be able to apply for a passport online.

"The government is committed to making passport services more convenient and accessible for Canadians," said Minister Kenney. "As Citizenship and Immigration Canada is already responsible for determining Canadian citizenship, integrating the passport program into the department makes good sense."

Passport Canada's IT system is nearing the end of its lifespan and significant investment will be required to bring it up to date whereas CIC's current operating IT system has the capacity and security features for a move to online applications, and also offers Canadian taxpayers a sensible, cost-effective alternative.

It is important to note that Canadians who need consular services while traveling overseas, to replace a lost passport for example, will continue to be supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Our Canadian Law Group facilitates the passport renewal process for those Canadians located in the U.S. Please contact us for more information. You can reach us at veronique_malka@visaserve.com.