Henley & Partners – a global immigration consultancy firm, has ranked Canadian passports as the 7th most recognized globally. It is put alongside the passports of nations like Poland, Greece, the US, Czechia, etc. 

According to a report, one of the benefits of having a Canadian passport is that it enables visa-free entry in over 183 countries, making it one of the foremost in the world. This year, the distinction of most recognized passport went to the passport of Singapore, followed by Japan. In addition, the Afghanistan passport scored last year, thus allowing access to 27 nations without a visa. 

Traveling With A Canadian Passport

One of the significant benefits of having a Canadian passport is that it affects your travel activities. With it, unrestricted entry or exit into the nation is permitted without the need for permits, visas, or other travel restrictions. However, only Canadian citizens are eligible to obtain passports, nor are permanent inhabitants or those with temporary status. 

As mentioned above, having a Canadian passport enables holders to enjoy visa-free travel to around 183 nations worldwide, some of which include: 

  • The US
  • The UK
  • Australia & New Zealand 
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • Brazil
  • Singapore
  • The Schengen Area 
  • The UAE 

You do not necessarily have to give up your present passport if you apply for a Canadian one. Canada permits dual citizenship & multiple passports. Thus, you can maintain as many passports as you qualify for. 

Becoming A Citizen First

To enjoy the benefits of having a Canadian passport, one first needs to obtain citizenship. This involves a series of steps. 

Primarily, you must be a permanent resident of Canada & comply with the nation’s physical presence rules. For instance, you need to demonstrate that you have lived in Canada for at least three years of the past five years, which translates to 1,095 days (approx.). 

If applicable, you must file your taxes. In order to highlight your communication & understanding capabilities, it is vital to pass a Canadian citizenship test & prove your language skills. 

Even if your permanent resident status was procured, these conditions must be met. Overall, it takes at least three years to secure Canadian citizenship if one is pursuing a naturalization route. 

However, it is vital to note that if you are the direct child of a citizen of Canada, you might be eligible to inherit citizenship status from your parents. 

Tips To Obtain A Canadian Passport

Once you are done with your citizenship ceremony & have got your citizenship certificate, you can apply for a passport. Every citizen is eligible/ qualified to apply for this document & one will rarely be found ineligible. 

However, if you are found ineligible, citizenship can be revoked because of the misinterpretation of your application. Moreover, if there are any issues or concerns regarding security, connections to crime, or violation of any human rights, then also the application will be revoked. 

In addition, the process of applying for a passport demands specific paperwork as well. Your citizenship certificate is one of the most vital documents & you should include an original copy in the application. Even Canadians born in Canada need to give a birth certificate as evidence of their citizenship. 

You will need various documents in your application form, such as: 

  • Two references in support of your passport application 
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship 
  • A document confirming your identity
  • Valid Canadian passport/ any other travel documents issued in your name 
  • Two passport-size photographs 

Furthermore, when applying for your passport, you also require a guarantor. A guarantor fulfills certain requirements, which can change depending on the type of passport & the location from which your application is being submitted. 

Also, you can apply for a passport online & complete the process by booking at a Service Canada center.

Passport Process Duration 

The need for passports, as well as passport renewals, among Canadians is quite high. 

The Canadian government has introduced a tool for tracking processing times. This implies that the time taken for processing an application from inside Canada can range from standard service to urgent processing. And this could take around 2-9 days or even just a day.

On the contrary, if you intend to travel outside Canada, it is suggested to initiate the application procedure in advance.

Other Benefits 

Apart from unobstructed travel, there are numerous other benefits of having a Canadian passport. With the passport, you will be recognized as a Canadian citizen, enjoying all the freedom as well as rights just like any other resident. Moreover, you will also be eligible to vote in elections, run for political office, & be eligible for jobs which might require higher security clearances. 

Furthermore, another crucial perk is that the hassle of renewing the status every five years is eliminated. Well, this results in more saving costs associated with application submission & staying hassle-free from approaching IRCC for extensions. 

Finally, new permanent inhabitants are also offered free perks in Canada in their first year of new citizenship. Moreover, around 80% of permanent residents in Canada prefer to acquire citizenship, mainly due to these advantages. 

Applying For A Canadian Passport

Applying for a Canadian passport is an essential step in having all the rights of being a Canadian. 

Just like any other measure taken in the immigration process, it is vital to avoid any misinterpretation as it can result in severe penalties & loss of status. For this reason, many individuals tend to hire immigration lawyers to manage their passport applications, to ensure adherence to best practices & for the peace of mind that these services can provide.