TORONTO, July 28, 2026 – Passport renewal in Canada has entered a new stage. The federal government announced on July 28 that it has officially removed the daily limit on online passport renewal applications. Starting immediately, all eligible adult Canadian citizens living in Canada can submit renewal applications through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s online system.
Canada began gradually rolling out online adult passport renewal in April, but the number of people who could start an application each day was previously limited, with application spots released at different times. With this change, that daily cap has been removed, and eligible applicants no longer need to wait for that day’s available spaces.
The biggest change is that the entire renewal process can be completed online. Applicants can fill out the application, upload a passport photo and pay the fee through the system. They do not need to mail paper documents or visit a Service Canada location in person. Traditional in-person and mail application options remain available.
However, not every passport can be renewed online.
At this stage, both the applicant’s home address and mailing address must be in Canada. The existing passport must be a regular blue adult passport issued when the applicant was 16 or older, valid for either five or 10 years, and issued within the past 15 years. The passport must also already be expired or set to expire within the next six months.
Applicants must also be keeping the same name, date of birth, place of birth and gender identifier. If they need to change any of these personal details, they generally cannot complete the renewal through the online process.
Photos also cannot simply be taken at home with a cellphone. The government requires online applications to use a digital passport photo taken in person by a commercial photographer, with the digital file uploaded during the application.
Another easily overlooked issue is that once an online renewal application is officially submitted, the existing passport is cancelled and can no longer be used for travel. The service standard for online renewal is 20 business days, and applicants must also allow additional time for the new passport to arrive by mail. People with upcoming international travel plans, or those who need a passport more quickly, should apply in person. Some Service Canada Centres and passport offices still offer 10-business-day, express or urgent service.
Children’s passports also cannot be renewed through this adult online renewal service. When a Canadian child passport expires, a new application is required, rather than a renewal under the adult passport process.
The government says online renewal can reduce the need for residents to travel to service centres, which may be especially helpful for people living in remote areas or those with mobility challenges. Applicants can also check real-time processing updates online.
Starting July 28, the main change is not that all passport application rules have changed, but that the previous “daily limit” for online renewal has officially been removed. Eligible adults can now choose to renew online directly, but people who need to travel soon should pay particular attention to the rule that their existing passport becomes invalid immediately after the application is submitted.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
