Starting in April 2026, the rules for Canadian passports will change in ways that could directly affect how much you pay and what happens if your application is late.
Starting this week, two big changes to the rules will change how Canadians get passports, both at home and abroad.
One change raises the cost of passports, while the other gives you much stronger protection if the government doesn’t meet its processing standard.
These changes could affect how families plan their budgets for renewals, how travelers plan ahead and what applicants can expect from the system in 2026.
Here is a full list of both changes and how they will affect your travel plans in 2026 and beyond.
New Rule #1: The cost of a Canadian passport goes up.
Canadians will have to pay more for their passports for the first time since 2013.
The federal government has made it official that passport fees will go up on March 31, 2026.
This ends a 13-year freeze on passport prices that has been in place since Stephen Harper was Prime Minister.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said that the fee change is due to rising costs and inflation that have built up over time.
All standard passport applications sent in on or after March 31, 2026, will be affected by the new pricing structure.
A full list of the fees for new and old passports in Canada
This is how much more each type of passport will cost you overall:
| Type of Passport | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| The cost of a 10-year adult passport in Canada | $160.00 | $163.50 |
| 5-Year Adult Passport (In Canada) | $120.00 | $122.50 (+$2.50) |
| In Canada, a 5-year child passport | $57.00 | +$1.50 |
| Outside of Canada, a 10-Year Adult Passport | $260.00 | $266.25 (+$6.25) |
| 5-Year Adult Passport (Outside Canada) | $190.00 | $194.25 (+$4.25) |
| Child passport (outside of Canada) | $100.00 | +$2.50 |
| Service for urgent pickups | $110.00 | $125.75 (+$15.75) |
| Temporary Passport | $110.00 | $125.75 (+$15.75) |
At first glance, the fee increases may not seem like much at first.
Families with more than one child who needs a passport renewal, on the other hand, could see their total costs add up over time.
Under the new fee structure, a family of four in Canada would pay $10 more to renew two 10-year adult passports and two child passports.
Why the cost of passports will go up every year
This is what most Canadians don’t know about this change. The increase on March 31 is not a one-time thing.
The Service Fees Act says that starting in 2026, passport fees will be linked to the Consumer Price Index.
This means that Canadians can expect small yearly increases that keep up with inflation from now on.
The government says that this method will stop big gaps between fee updates that cause prices to go up suddenly.
Instead of waiting 13 years and making a bigger change, fees will now go up a little bit each year.
Rule #2: You have 30 days to get your money back.
This change could save you hundreds of dollars.
The federal government says that starting on April 1, 2026, it will process complete passport applications within 30 business days or automatically refund any fees that were paid.
You read that right. If the government doesn’t meet this deadline, you could get back your passport fees.
How the New System for Automatic Refunds Works
The best thing about this new policy is that you don’t have to do anything to get your money back.
- If the government doesn’t process your full application within 30 business days, they will automatically give you a full refund.
- You don’t need to ask for a refund; it will be given automatically if you qualify.
- You won’t have to do anything to get the refund.
How You Will Get Your Passport Money Back
Depending on where you sent your application, the way to get your money back is different:
| Place | Refund Method |
|---|---|
| In Canada | A check will be sent to the address on file |
| From the US | Check sent to the address on file |
| Outside Canada (credit card) | Refund on credit card |
| Outside Canada (other) | Check or transfer |
The partial refund system that has been in place since February 2023 will no longer be available. Instead, there will be a guarantee starting on April 1.
The old way of figuring out refunds was as follows:
- 1 to 10 business days late got back 25% of the service fee.
- More than 10 business days late got half of their money back.
The new rule is much more generous.
You now get all of your money back if the 30-day standard is not met, instead of just a partial refund.
Fees That Can’t Be Automatically Refunded
The Service Fees Act does not cover all passport-related fees for automatic refunds fully.
- The $25 consular fee for adult applications is paid to Global Affairs Canada.
- Fees for urgent or expedited passport services.
- Applications for child identity cards and travel documents.
Ranking of Canadian Passports in 2026
The Canadian passport is still one of the most powerful travel documents in the world.
The most recent Henley Passport Index, which came out in March 2026, says that Canada is now in 7th place globally.
Canadian passport holders can now travel to 182 places worldwide without a visa.
This is a small improvement over earlier this year, when Canada was 8th with 181 destinations.
Comparison of Canadian and American Passports in 2026
The Canadian passport is much better than the American one.
| Category | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| World Ranking 2026 | 7th Place | 10th Place |
| Visa-Free Countries | 182 | 179 |
The Most Powerful Passports in the World in 2026
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1st | Singapore (192) |
| 2nd | Japan, South Korea (188) |
| 3rd | Denmark, Spain, Sweden etc (186) |
| 7th | Canada (182) |
| 10th | United States (179) |
Even so, Canada is still one of the most powerful countries in the world when it comes to passports.
How to Make Sure Your Passport Application Meets the 30-Day Guarantee
The 30-day processing guarantee only works for full applications only.
- Make sure your application has all necessary documents.
- Ensure passport photos meet all standards.
- Ensure references and guarantor are correct.
- Pay the exact amount required.
- Keep copies of all documents.
- Use trackable mail.
- Consider applying in person.
Important Dates for Changes to Canadian Passports in 2026
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| March 30, 2026 | Last day for old fees |
| March 31, 2026 | New fees apply |
| April 1, 2026 | 30-day guarantee starts |
| April 2027 | First CPI-based increase |
These two changes are the biggest changes to Canada’s passport program in more than ten years.
The new 30-business-day guarantee makes it easier to hold people accountable for full applications.
Questions and Answers (FAQs)
What if I send my passport application on March 30 but IRCC gets it on April 1?
The amount of the fee for mailed applications is based on when IRCC actually gets your application.
If my application is late because I didn’t send in all the papers, can I get my money back?
No, the 30-day processing guarantee only works for applications that are complete.
Will the 30-day guarantee cover passport services that are needed right away?
The Service Fees Act does not allow refunds for urgent or expedited passport services.
If my application takes longer than 30 business days, how long will it take to get my money back?
The government says that refunds are processed automatically, but it might take a while.
For business purposes, does the Canadian passport let you travel to more countries without a visa than the US passport?
The Henley Passport Index only looks at visa-free travel for tourism and short visits.
