Taking the oath to become a Canadian is an exciting moment. After applying, waiting, and studying and passing the test, the oath ceremony before a citizenship judge or presiding official allows you to become a full citizen of Canada, with all the rights and duties therein.
One of the rights of becoming a Canadian is the right to travel on a Canadian passport. You can start applying for your first Canadian passport two days after your oath ceremony. You must wait at least two days before applying for any services as a Canadian, and this includes services obtained through the passport office.
How to Apply for Your First Canadian Passport
To apply for your passport, you will need to complete the Adult General Passport Application form (PPTC 153). As part of the form, you will need to:
- Provide proof of citizenship
- Provide proof of your identity
- Submit two passport photos which meet current passport photo requirements
- Submit the application fee
- Offer the contact information of a guarantor who can confirm your identity
- Send in the contact information of two additional references who have known you for at least two years and are not family or your guarantor
You can submit your application by mail or you can go to a passport office to apply in person. If you plan on traveling soon after your oath ceremony, apply for a passport as soon as you can after your ceremony and keep processing times in mind. If you apply by mail, it can take twenty days to process your application and it can take ten days if you apply in person. There is an urgent pick-up process which can secure your passport the next business day and an express pickup service which can allow you to pick-up your passport within two to nine business days. Both will require additional fees.
If you would like to apply for your first Canadian passport but have questions about a citizenship card or processing times or anything else, check out Immigration Direct. At Immigration Direct, we have many resources, including easy-to-use comprehensive kits to help you apply for a variety of immigration processes, a free blog, a knowledge base, and other resources you can use today!
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Updated on 16th May 2018.
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