Canadian Passport Renewal Abroad

If you hold a Canadian passport that’s soon expiring and are currently overseas, don’t worry about having to go back home to renew it. In fact, you can get a new Canadian travel document from any part of the world. Here’s how!

Table of contents

• How to renew a Canadian passport abroad?
• Canadian passport renewal from the USA
• How much does it cost to renew a Canadian passport overseas?
• How to get a new passport overseas if my previous one was lost or stolen?
• Canadian passport photo requirements
• Where can I take a Canadian passport photo near me?

How to renew a Canadian passport abroad?

Before renewing, ensure that you are eligible for this. Minors below 16 can only make new passports, and adults can renew an expired or lost one. Here are the general steps of renewing your passport:

1. Complete the application form;
2. Gather the required documentation:
   1. Information on your passport’s issuance and expiry date, as well as its number;
   2. Your most recent passport, if still valid;
   3. Two identical passport photos fulfilling the requirements.
3. Have two references ready to be contacted to confirm your identity;
4. Submit your application. For countries other than the US, this is done to your local Canadian diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate);
5. Pay your application fees;
6. Get your passport from the issuing office.

Canadian passport renewal from the USA

The renewal process from the USA is practically the same as the process from other countries, except for the submission part.

1. Complete the application form;
2. Gather the required documentation:
   1. Information on your passport’s issuance and expiry date, as well as its number;
   2. Your most recent passport, if still valid;
   3. Two identical passport photos fulfilling the requirements.
3. Have two references ready to be contacted to confirm your identity;
4. Submit your application by mail:
   Mailing address (non-courier)
   Government of Canada
   Passport Program
   Gatineau, QC K1A 0G3
   Canada
   
   Courier address
   Government of Canada
   Passport Program
   22 de Varennes Street
   Gatineau, QC J8T 8R1
   Canada
5. Pay your application fees;
6. Get your passport from the issuing office.

How much does it cost to renew a Canadian passport overseas?

Whether you’re applying from the US or other countries, here are the renewal fees:

• 5-year adult passport (age 16 or over): CA$ 190;
• 10-year adult passport (age 16 or over): CA$ 260;
• Child passport (0 to 15 years of age): CA$ 100.

Please note that fees are not refundable in case you cancel your application, get your application refused, or given a passport with shorter validity (which may happen if you lost your passport several times).

How to get a new passport overseas if my previous one was lost or stolen?

First of all, you will need to contact the Passport Office as soon as possible to report the theft or loss.

Then, the application process is practically the same as renewing a passport, plus the addition of these actions:

• You must attach a complete declaration about your lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document to your application;
• Pay the extra fee for lost or stolen passport replacement.

Canadian passport photo requirements

Make sure that your passport photo matches the following parameters. Note that they are different from US criteria:

• The Canada passport picture size size must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high);
• The height of your face must be between 31 mm (1¼ inches) and 36 mm (1⁷⁄₁₆ inches) from chin to the natural top of head;
• The pictures must be clear, sharp, and in focus;
• The images must have uniform lighting and no shadows, glare, or flash reflections;
• The photos must show an obvious contrast between your face and the background;
• The photos must show your natural skin tone;
• The photos must be printed on plain, high-quality photo paper;
• Your appearance must not be retouched;
• You should a neutral facial expression with eyes open and clearly visible; mouth must be closed with no smiling;
• The photos must not be older than six months;
• They must show face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera, not tilted in any direction;
• Headwear worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons is allowed;
• Glasses are permitted, but your eyes must be clearly visible, and there must be no glare on the lenses;
• They must have a plain white or light-coloured background that shows a clear difference between you and the background.

Additionally, the photographer must write the date the photo was taken and the name and complete address of the studio. If you take a passport photo at home, you can use the signature of anyone else who can confirm your identity.

Here is an example:

Where can I take a Canadian passport photo near me?

You can take photos at photo studios or facilities near you. For example, in the US, you can take it in Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, and similar places. Note that US passport photo standards are different than in Canada. In other countries, you will also have to make sure your photo studio knows the specifics of your photo.

Or you can opt to save time and resources and trust professionals to take care of your photo, all without leaving the comfort of your own home. That’s also a cost-effective option as an online passport photo costs $7 only, and you can print in the nearest pharmacy for less than $1.

Just take a portrait of yourself in good lighting and upload it to our tool below. You will get two files from Visafoto: a digital photo and a template ready for printing!

So let's have a look at some examples. Your original photo should look like this:

After resizing, you will get a photo for online submission and 4 photos for printing: