Renew Your Passport Online in Canada: Who Can and How
Online passport renewal is open to adults in Canada whose current passport expires within 6 months or has already expired, was issued in the last 15 years when they were 16 or older, and is undamaged. You need an IRCC Portal account and a digital photo from a commercial photographer. It takes up to 20 business days plus mailing.
Free tool: Passport Renewal Checker: Can I Renew, and How?
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When to choose another way
- You travel within 20 business days: apply in person at a passport office and ask about express or urgent pickup. See urgent and express passports.
- Your passport expires in more than 6 months: you can't renew online yet, but you can renew by mail or in person.
- You live outside Canada: online renewal isn't available; renew by mail or through a Government of Canada office abroad.
- Your passport is damaged, lost or stolen, or your details changed: apply for a new passport.
Since July 2026, online renewal has been open to all eligible adults in Canada.
Step by step
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Check you can renew online.
All of these must be true: your passport is a regular blue passport valid for 5 or 10 years, issued in the last 15 years, showing your place of birth; you applied for it at 16 or older; it expires in the next 6 months or has expired; it is not damaged, seized or surrendered and has no observations page; your home and mailing addresses are in Canada; your details are unchanged; and you are not travelling in the next 20 business days.
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Get a digital passport photo.
It must be taken in person by a commercial photographer in the last 6 months, saved as a .jpg or .jpeg file. A scan of a printed photo is refused. See passport photo requirements.
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Sign in or register for the IRCC Portal.
Start from the official online renewal page on canada.ca. Never use a link from an email or text you did not expect.
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Fill in the application, upload the photo and pay the fee.
A 10-year passport costs $163.50 and a 5-year passport $122.50.
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Wait for your passport by mail.
Your old passport is cancelled when you apply. Processing takes up to 20 business days, and delivery can add about 5 more.
Phone numbers
Passport Program (Canada and U.S.)
1-800-567-6868Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm local time (Newfoundland 9 am to 5:30 pm). Closed on statutory holidays.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Is online passport renewal faster?
No. It has the same 20-business-day service standard as mail and standard in-person renewals. It saves you a trip and postage.
Can I take my own photo for online renewal?
No. The digital photo must be taken in person by a commercial photographer. Edited photos, including any AI touch-ups, are rejected.
Is the online renewal site safe?
Only use the IRCC Portal reached from canada.ca. North Help Desk never asks for your passport details.
Sources
- Renew a passport online in Canada (canada.ca)
- Online passport renewal open to all eligible adults (July 2026) (canada.ca)
- Passport photo requirements (canada.ca)
North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.