Canadian Passport Fees Rise March 31, 2026 – New Prices and 30‑Day Guarantee
Canadians planning trips in 2026 will soon pay slightly more for passports and travel documents. The Government of Canada has announced that most passport and travel document fees will increase on March 31, 2026, marking the first update to passport prices since 2013.
Why are Canadian passport fees increasing?
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the adjustment reflects inflation and the rising cost of producing secure travel documents and supporting Canadians through the application process. The changes are part of a broader move to keep the passport program financially sustainable while maintaining timely and secure service.
From March 31, 2026, passport fees will be updated annually under the federal Service Fees Act, using inflation (the Consumer Price Index) as the benchmark. This means small, regular increases instead of large jumps every few years.
New passport fees in Canada from March 31, 2026
For applications submitted within Canada, the government has released the updated core fees that will apply to most travellers.
Main passport fee changes (applications inside Canada)
- 10‑year regular adult passport – $163.50 (up $3.50)
- 5‑year regular adult passport – $122.50 (up $2.50)
- 5‑year regular child passport – $58.50 (up $1.50)
These changes may look small on a single application, but they are tied to a new model that will adjust fees every year based on inflation. Full details, including fees for applications made abroad, urgent services, and other travel documents, are listed on the official “Passport and travel document fee changes” page.
Importantly, applications received on or after March 31, 2026 will be charged the new fees, so travellers who apply earlier in March can still pay the current lower rates.
Annual fee updates under the Service Fees Act
Under the Service Fees Act, federal departments must review and adjust certain fees annually to keep up with inflation. Passport and travel document fees will now follow this rule, using the All‑items Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the basis for each year’s adjustment.
IRCC has also confirmed that the passport program is undergoing a broader fee structure review, which may lead to additional changes in the future after public consultation. For now, Canadians can expect modest annual increases rather than unpredictable spikes.
Faster service – or your passport is free
Along with higher fees, the government is also tightening service standards to offer a more predictable experience. Starting April 1, 2026, complete passport applications will be processed within 30 business days—or they will be free.
Key points of the new service guarantee:
- If your complete passport application is not processed within 30 business days, the service fee will be refunded automatically.
- Applicants will not need to request a refund; remissions will be issued by the government when service standards are missed, unless specific exceptions apply.
- The policy aligns passport services with the existing federal approach where partial refunds are provided when departments miss their own timelines.
Details on how refunds work and which applications are covered are available on the “Refunds for applications processed outside service standards” page.
What this means for Canadians and future travellers
For most Canadians, the immediate price increase is relatively small, especially on a 10‑year passport spread over a decade. However, because fees will now be updated every year, travellers who regularly renew passports or apply for multiple family members will notice the impact over time.
If you are planning to apply or renew soon, you may save a few dollars by submitting your application before March 31, 2026. On the other hand, travellers who apply later in the year will benefit from the stronger service guarantee starting April 1, 2026, knowing that applications processed beyond 30 business days will automatically receive a refund of the fee.
Overall, these changes are designed to balance cost recovery for the government with clear service standards and accountability for Canadians who rely on passports to travel.
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