Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced a new “30 days or free” guarantee for passport services, effective April 1, 2026.
Under this new policy, applicants will receive a full refund of their passport or travel document fee if processing takes more than 30 business days. Refunds will be issued automatically when service standards are not met.
Processing time begins once 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 must include the correct form, all required documents (such as compliant passport photos), and full payment.
The guarantee introduces a consistent service standard across all application methods and aims to improve accountability and client experience. While most applications are already processed within existing timelines, this policy ensures compensation when delays occur.
Service standards currently range between 10 and 20 business days, depending on how and where the application is submitted.
The policy does not apply to:
- Certain administrative services (e.g., replacements or certified copies)
- Child refugee travel documents and certificates of identity
- Urgent and express services, which follow separate refund rules
- Applications affected by exceptional circumstances impacting operations
This initiative is part of broader efforts by the Government of Canada to enhance efficiency and deliver more predictable passport services.