Service Canada is rolling out a bold new pledge for passport renewals: get your documents in 30 business days—six weeks—or get your money back. Unveiled on March 7, 2025, by Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech, the guarantee aims to slash the infamous wait times that plagued travelers post-pandemic, when renewal delays sparked chaos and panic.
Flash back to the recovery years, and the picture was grim. A Service Canada report highlights how passport offices buckled under a tidal wave of demand, with phone inquiries skyrocketing nearly fourfold from 2021 to 2022. That first year, just 1.3 million passports were issued—a steep drop from the 3 million churned out in 2018-19—leaving jet-setters stranded.
Now, the department’s fighting back. Armed with beefed-up staff, automated helplines, and a shiny new online renewal option for eligible applicants, Service Canada’s promising smoother sailing. The old standard pegged processing at 20 business days, with some spots offering a two-week rush. This new 30-day cap adds a buffer—and a safety net. Miss the mark, and your fees are refunded, no matter how you applied.
Beech touted the overhaul as a win for efficiency, spotlighting digital upgrades like online SIN applications and virtual credentials. “Time is money,” the vibe goes, and Service Canada’s betting this mix of tech and accountability will keep Canadians out of line and off hold, passports in hand.