Processing times for special and diplomatic passports
This section contains information for representatives of the Government of Canada and people travelling on Government of Canada business.
Important notice
The processing time for Official Travel service requests is currently higher than anticipated as a result of the rotation of Canadian officials abroad and a high volume of urgent service requests.
Please allow at least 15 business days to process your service request (in addition to any time required to process visas). As incomplete applications can be further delayed, please ensure all necessary paperwork is fully complete when submitting your documentation.
| Type of application: | Processing time: |
Routine applications for a special or diplomatic passport |
15 business days. Note: If you are travelling to a country that requires a visa, please allow an additional 3 to 45 business days. Each country sets its own visa requirements and processing times. We have no influence over the time it takes a foreign mission to issue a visa. |
Release of passport from safekeeping |
Please provide us with significant advance notice to request the release of an existing passport from safekeeping. Urgent requests will be prioritized to meet travel dates. |
Submit a complete application to avoid delays
An incomplete application for an official passport will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant, which may lead to travel delays.
Urgent requests
The Passport Program has limited capacity to address urgent service requests for an official passport. Urgent requests must be exceptional and supported by proper justification (such as proof of travel).
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