When an adopted person is granted Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act, special rules apply for travel documents. Standard options like facilitation visas or special authorizations are not available to these applicants. Instead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides specific procedures to ensure urgent travel can still take place.
The main option is a Limited Validity Passport (LVP), valid for two years. In certain cases, a temporary passport or an emergency travel document (ETD) may also be issued.
Facilitation Visas and Special Authorizations
Facilitation visas were once available to Canadian dual nationals who traveled on a foreign passport issued by a visa-exempt country. These allowed easier re-entry into Canada.
- Facilitation visas have been replaced with special authorizations.
- Section 5.1 applicants do not qualify for special authorizations.
- Neither facilitation visas nor special authorizations are available to adopted persons granted citizenship under this section.
This means that adopted persons must use alternative travel document options if urgent travel is required.
Limited Validity Passport (LVP)
The Limited Validity Passport (LVP) is the main option for adopted persons who need to travel urgently after receiving citizenship.
- Validity: Two years from the date of issue.
- Cost: Same as a regular passport.
- When issued: Only when waiting for the regular passport or citizenship certificate is not possible due to urgent travel needs.
Other options include:
- Temporary Passport: Issued when a regular passport cannot be provided in time before travel.
- Emergency Travel Document (ETD): Issued for immediate return to Canada in urgent cases.
These options ensure that the adopted person can travel safely and legally while full documentation is still in process.
Process for Requesting an LVP
The process begins with communication between the citizenship decision-maker and the Canadian consular section.
- Required information: The decision-maker must provide the adopted person’s full name, their Unique Client Identifier (UCI), and the date of approval recorded in the Global Case Management System (GCMS).
- Eligible offices: Applications are accepted only at:
- The Canadian government office abroad that handled the section 5.1 grant.
- The office responsible for passport applications in the country where the adopted person resides.
- Timeframe: Applications without a citizenship certificate are valid only within one year of the citizenship grant date.
This ensures that applications are tied directly to the approved grant of citizenship.
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide several supporting documents to receive a limited validity or emergency passport. These requirements confirm both the urgency of travel and the applicant’s new citizenship status.
- Proof of imminent travel: A confirmed airline ticket or travel itinerary is required to show the urgency.
- Proof of citizenship grant: Applicants must submit the approval letter that confirms citizenship under section 5.1.
- Notice for LVP form: Issued by the consular office and submitted with the application.
- Passport application form:
- Outside Canada/USA: PPTC 042 for children under 16, PPTC 040 for adults 16+.
- In the USA: PPTC 142 for children under 16, PPTC 140 for adults 16+.
- Two identical passport photos:
- Must be taken within the past 6 months.
- One photo must have the photographer’s/studio’s name, address, and date on the back.
- A guarantor must sign the back of one photo.
- For adopted children only:
- Court-issued adoption order showing the adoptive parents’ names.
- Custody, decision-making, or mobility-related documents confirming legal guardianship.
These requirements ensure that the application is legitimate, urgent, and supported by both citizenship proof and legal guardianship documents when minors are involved.
Passport Fees
Applicants must pay passport fees online before submission. Costs vary depending on the passport type and urgency of the request.
- Standard passport fees:
- Child passport (under 16): $100
- 5-year adult passport (16+): $190
- 10-year adult passport (16+): $260
- Additional fees (for temporary or urgent documents):
- Temporary passport: $110
- Child ETD (under 16): $30
- Adult ETD (16+): $75
These fees apply to all applications abroad and reflect the urgency and type of travel document issued.
Key Takeaways
Adopted persons granted Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 must follow a different process for travel documents:
- Facilitation visas and special authorizations are not available.
- A Limited Validity Passport (LVP), valid for 2 years, is the main option for urgent travel.
- Temporary passports and emergency travel documents (ETDs) may be issued in exceptional cases.
- Applicants must submit proof of travel urgency, proof of citizenship grant, passport application forms, photos, and—if a child is adopted—legal adoption and custody documents.
- Fees depend on the passport type, with extra charges for temporary and emergency travel documents.
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