The Government of Canada has announced a new “30 days or free” guarantee for passport processing, aimed at improving service reliability and accountability for Canadians.
The policy, introduced by Lena Metlege Diab, takes effect April 1, 2026. Under the new rule, applicants will receive a full refund of their passport or travel document fees if processing takes longer than 30 business days.
Refunds will be issued automatically if the service standard is not met. Processing time begins once a complete application is received—including all required documents, photos, and payment—and ends when the passport is printed and verified. Mailing time is not included in the 30-day window.
Officials say the initiative is designed to create a consistent and predictable experience for applicants, regardless of how they apply.
While most passport applications are already processed within existing timelines, the government says this new guarantee ensures Canadians are compensated if service standards are not met.
Patty Hajdu emphasized that faster and more reliable services reduce the burden on Canadians, including the need to take time off work or arrange childcare to access in-person services.
Current service standards for passport applications typically range between 10 and 20 business days, depending on the method of application and service location.
However, the new guarantee will not apply to certain services, including administrative requests such as replacements or certified copies, as well as urgent and express services, which already have separate refund policies. Applications affected by exceptional operational circumstances may also be excluded.
The move is part of broader efforts by the federal government to modernize passport services and ensure greater efficiency and accountability across Service Canada operations.
