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Passports

Types of Canadian Passports: Blue, Green, Burgundy and White

Most Canadians get the regular blue passport, valid for 5 or 10 years. Green (special) and burgundy (diplomatic) passports are for officials. White temporary passports are issued abroad for urgent travel. Canada also issues refugee travel documents and certificates of identity.

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Canadian passports

TypeColourWho gets itValid for
RegularBlueCanadian citizens for any travel5 or 10 years (children: 5)
SpecialGreenSenators, MPs and federal employees on official non-diplomatic travelSet by the program
DiplomaticBurgundyDiplomats and senior officialsSet by the program
TemporaryWhiteCitizens abroad with an urgent needUp to 1 year

Regular, special and diplomatic passports have 38 pages. Temporary passports have 8.

Other travel documents

Emergency travel document: a 4-page document issued abroad to get you home.

Refugee travel document: for protected persons in Canada. It is blue with two black lines on the cover. It cannot be used to visit the holder's country of citizenship.

Certificate of identity: a grey document for permanent residents who are stateless or cannot get a national passport.

Related

Lost Your Passport Abroad? Temporary Passports and Emergency Travel Documents If you lose your passport outside Canada, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad. Depending on your situation, it can issue a temporary passport (valid up to 1 year) or an emergency travel document to get you home. Report the loss and keep a copy of any police report. Canadian Passport Fees 2026: Adult, Child and Urgent Service A 10-year adult passport costs $163.50 and a 5-year adult passport $122.50 when you apply in Canada. A child passport (5 years) costs $58.50. Urgent pickup by the end of the next business day adds $125.75. These fees took effect on March 31, 2026. How to Renew a Canadian Passport: Online, by Mail or in Person You can renew an adult passport issued in the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older, if your name, date of birth, place of birth and gender identifier are unchanged. Renew online or by mail in about 20 business days, or in person for faster service. A 10-year passport costs $163.50 in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a separate child passport?

No. Children get the regular blue passport, but only for 5 years.

Can permanent residents get a Canadian passport?

No. Passports are for citizens. Some permanent residents can get a certificate of identity or a refugee travel document.

Sources

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.