They can also do so now, even if their need for a passport is slightly less urgent, such as for those planning to leave the country within the next few weeks, rather than a few days.
Until now, applicants in the queue could only request a transfer by visiting one of 35 specialized passport websites across Canada or by contacting the call centre.
The new policy will apply to anyone who completed their application by post more than 20 working days ago, which allows enough time for it to be entered into the system and has proof of travel within 20 working days of requesting it. a transcript.
The change comes after months of stressful waits for Canadians to renew their passports and long, chaotic lines at passport offices as workers scramble to expedite the necessary documents.
Social Development Minister Karina Gould says depending on when the person plans to travel, the application will either be expedited and their passport will be mailed to them or their envelope will be taken to a local office for printing and collection.
It says the change will speed up processing times for overdue passports and shorten the queue for urgent requests at passport offices.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 29, 2022.
