Canadian Passport - Mail-In Application Timelines

[Tommy22shoes]

Hi folks - quick question about mailing addresses. The application form says for BC residents to send the passport application to:
Government of Canada
Passport Program
Box 4000 STN LCD 3
Mississauga, Ontario L5K 0A9

The courier address is:
Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec J8T 8R1

Does anyone know if there is much of a difference in processing times between the two?

I can send a tracked bit of mail via Canada Post to the Mississauga address that isn't courier so I feel comfortable sending to both. Just curious about anyone's experience and whether one results in quicker turn around or not.

Thanks!

I sent mine to the courier address from BC. Maybe that was my mistake but from what can tell it's being done in the Surrey office as that's where my cc charge was from so they must have sent it back to BC

 

[Ragnheidr]

My wife just got a call from a supervisor at Passport Canada and she was told that they would prioritize her application and print her passport tomorrow (without extra fees). He is even going to call her back to provide her with a tracking number!

So for anyone having problems, don't hesitate to contact your MP, they can do a lot if your situation is critical.

 

[CaBeaver]

My wife just got a call from a supervisor at Passport Canada and she was told that they would prioritize her application and print her passport tomorrow (without extra fees). He is even going to call her back to provide her with a tracking number!

So for anyone having problems, don't hesitate to contact your MP, they can do a lot if your situation is critical.

Glad they are taking things seriously now with your wife's application. How long did it take your MP to respond?

 

[taekwondo]

I'm still waiting. My guarantor told me he was contacted last week and asked a few questions so I told my references they might contacted too. I was surprised as it doesn't sound like it happens a lot. Lucky me

Yes , I think Guarantor Call is random . On a positive side you know for sure that they are working on your file. Hope you get it soon !!

 

[Ragnheidr]

Glad they are taking things seriously now with your wife's application. How long did it take your MP to respond?

Quite fast actually, 2 days the first time, saying basically that they would contact the right person and get back to us later on.

 

[Gary_87]

I sent mine to the courier address from BC. Maybe that was my mistake but from what can tell it's being done in the Surrey office as that's where my cc charge was from so they must have sent it back to BC

That's strange. Whats your timeline been like so far?

 

[Klamm]

My wife just got a call from a supervisor at Passport Canada and she was told that they would prioritize her application and print her passport tomorrow (without extra fees). He is even going to call her back to provide her with a tracking number!

So for anyone having problems, don't hesitate to contact your MP, they can do a lot if your situation is critical.

Great to know that the MP office could make things move so effectively! If you don't mind, can you please give a quick recap of your situation, so others know what sort of situation can be potentially helped by contacting MP?

 

[Klamm]

Hi folks - quick question about mailing addresses. The application form says for BC residents to send the passport application to:
Government of Canada
Passport Program
Box 4000 STN LCD 3
Mississauga, Ontario L5K 0A9

The courier address is:
Government of Canada
Passport Program
22 de Varennes Street
Gatineau, Quebec J8T 8R1

Does anyone know if there is much of a difference in processing times between the two?

I can send a tracked bit of mail via Canada Post to the Mississauga address that isn't courier so I feel comfortable sending to both. Just curious about anyone's experience and whether one results in quicker turn around or not.

Thanks!

I sent to the Mississauga office and it's been terrible (5 weeks and I've seen no movement whatsoever! absolute silence since Feb 28), so based on my experience, I would try the Gatineau address. I read about people's credit cards being charged from there all the time.

 

[Ragnheidr]

Great to know that the MP office could make things move so effectively! If you don't mind, can you please give a quick recap of your situation, so others know what sort of situation can be potentially helped by contacting MP?

Sure :

Wife and I :

App sent: 25 Jan
Delivered: 26 Jan
CC Charged: 23 Feb ($160 x 2)
My PP delivered: 7 Mar

As of today, nothing for my wife, I can't get anyone on the phone... my call gets dropped randomly after waiting on hold for 2 hours+.

Is it common for them to process applications separately even though everything was sent in the same envelope ?

We are traveling in 3 weeks

 

[nickmalik]

Passport application sent feb 22
They received feb 23
Cc charged march 7
They called to verify address march 22
Still nothing till today
Tried calling them , they ask for file no which i dont have ?
What should i do
I need passport its been too long i have to travel outside country which needs visa also ?any recommendation
Any way to pay more now and make process fast
They said 20 days its been almost 35 days

 

[Elchinec]

Passport application sent feb 22
They received feb 23
Cc charged march 7
They called to verify address march 22
Still nothing till today
Tried calling them , they ask for file no which i dont have ?
What should i do
I need passport its been too long i have to travel outside country which needs visa also ?any recommendation
Any way to pay more now and make process fast
They said 20 days its been almost 35 days

Call them, ask them to transfer your file to the local office. It will take at least 2 business days, then they will call you in, where you should also bring your proof of travel. Then you can pick up your passport 1 day before the travel date.

I haven't gone through it, but that's what an agent told me on the phone

 

[KumarJayx]

Kinda... you can fill their online form and wait/pray until your next birthday or so to get maybe an answer from them telling you that basically your file is still under examination.
You can also try to give them a call, prepare yourself for a 3h+ of wait with 550 ppl ahead of you (if they don't hang up on your face before which is unfortunately very common) but don't expect anything else than "your file is under examination".

Thanks for the reply. You saved me lot of time. I have to go to another country for a surgery. I dint expect it will take more than a month so i booked it accordingly but looks like i have to postpone it if i dont get it by April 25. My application was received on March 23rd. Do you think there is a chance?

 

[KumarJayx]

Congrats on receiving your passport @dsanchez

Yeah, I wish more people get their application processed as quickly as yours.

My statement would definitely sound as I’m exaggerating but the need for inmail application is diminishing and will turn unnecessary for most of us as in person option is open for everyone. I meant to say why going through a risky route when you have better options.

The risk may be small for most people but if you’re from India or other countries where they don’t allow dual citizenship, the risk is high as you have to go through other time consuming process before visiting your home country. Things get worse if you have an elderly parent back home where you don’t know when you have to book the next flight in case of emergency.

I was thinking about it as my dad is sick but we can travel with indian passport also with or without canadian passport for 3 months after obtaining canadian citizenship

 

[Ragnheidr]

Thanks for the reply. You saved me lot of time. I have to go to another country for a surgery. I dint expect it will take more than a month so i booked it accordingly but looks like i have to postpone it if i dont get it by April 25. My application was received on March 23rd. Do you think there is a chance?

You can try to contact your local MP and explain your situation, it worked for my wife. You can also call them at 7:30 am and ask them to transfer your application with a proof of travel (so you need to have a ticket booked already).

 

[nasadadadsa]

FINALLY!

I got my passport ONE DAY before departure! It took going in person and dealing with some nonsense, but I'm thankful I don't have to worry about this saga for the next ten years.

Best of luck to everyone else.