Maple News reports that the Canadian government has introduced a daily application limit for passport renewals submitted online. This move is part of an effort to manage high demand and streamline operations amid growing backlogs.
While applicants can create an account on the online portal at any time, they may be temporarily blocked from starting their application if the daily submission cap has already been reached. The limit resets twice daily—at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Eastern Time—making these ideal times to log in and submit a renewal request.
Importantly, this cap applies only to online applications for passport renewals. Canadians are still welcome to renew their passports by mail or in person at Service Canada centres and passport offices.
According to current federal service standards:
– Online and mail-in applications are processed within 20 business days.
– In-person applications are processed within 10 or 20 business days, depending on the office location.
It’s worth noting that these timelines do not account for mailing time, which can be extended further in the event of Canada Post service interruptions.
Canadians with urgent travel plans can request expedited passport renewal services by visiting a passport office in person. Proof of impending travel (such as flight bookings or travel itineraries) will be required for accelerated processing.
Maple News recommends that applicants carefully plan their renewals, especially those with upcoming travel commitments. Given the current caps and possible postal delays, applying well in advance through multiple available channels remains the best way to ensure timely processing.
Overall, while the new online limits may cause some initial inconvenience, multiple application methods remain in place to help meet Canadians’ travel documentation needs.