Canada's New Passport Refund Policy: 30 Days or Free

0:00Canada's federal government just rolled out a new passport refund policy, kicking off this Wednesday. If your application takes more than 30 business days to process, you'll get a full refund on the fees automatically. It's called the 30 days, or free guarantee, all about holding the service accountable. The clock starts ticking the moment they receive a complete application, with the right forms, photos, documents, and payment. It stops when the passport gets printed and verified, but mailing time doesn't count toward the limit. Most folks already get theirs on time, but this pushes for even better standards. Immigration Minister Lena Medelgi Diabh says, Canadians deserve reliable service, and this step shows real commitment. Jobs Minister Patty Hodgedo adds, it makes things more predictable, so people skip time off work, childcare hassles, or extra costs for in-person fixes. Not everything qualifies, though. Urgent or express requests are out since they have their own rules. Same for some admin fees, child refugee docs, identity certificates, or cases hit by big disruptions like emergencies.

1:07This change aims to cut stress for travelers and build trust in the system, so keep your apps tight and expect smoother sales ahead. From your city, powered by AI, this is Vancouver News today.