Canada’s 30 days or free passport guarantee takes effect April 1, 2026. Applicants whose complete passport or travel document applications take more than 30 business days to process will receive an automatic full refund of the relevant fee.
How the 30-day processing period is measured
According to the IRCC Newsroom release, processing begins when a complete application is received and ends when the passport or travel document is printed and verified. Mailing time is not included.
A complete application includes a completed form, all required documents—including a passport photo that meets requirements—and full payment of the applicable fees. The guarantee applies regardless of how an applicant submits their application.
Existing service standards and policy exclusions
Passport application service standards vary from 10 to 20 business days, plus mailing time, depending on the type of Service Canada Centre used or whether an application is made at an embassy, consulate or by mail.
The new refund policy does not apply in all circumstances.
- Administrative services such as replacement, transfer or true certified copy fees, as well as child refugee travel documents and child certificates of identity.
- Urgent and express services, which have separate, shorter timelines. Fees for these services are refunded under existing authorities if those timelines are not met.
- Applications processed in exceptional circumstances that may affect operations.
Source: IRCC Newsroom