Canada Passport 2026: Fees to Increase Every Year—What You Need to Know
If you have been delaying your Canadian passport renewal, you might want to check your calendar—and your budget. The government has confirmed that passport fees will now increase annually, with the first hike taking effect on April 1, 2026. It is not a massive jump (we are talking about five dollars more for a five-year passport and ten dollars more for the ten-year one), but it is the kind of thing that makes you regret waiting too long.
Here is the deal: the cost of a five-year adult passport is going from $120 to $125, and the ten-year jumps from $160 to $165. And come next April, they will add another few dollars. It is part of a move to keep up with processing costs and inflation—something they have decided to make an annual tradition. So yes, that old passport you have been meaning to renew? Better do it before the end of the month.
Where to Get It Done: Service Canada Centres That Still Offer Full Passport Services
If you are in the Prairies, you are in luck. A handful of Service Canada centres are still fully equipped to handle your passport application from start to finish—no mailing in forms and keeping your fingers crossed. Three spots come to mind:
- Calgary Sundance Service Canada Centre and Passport Services – Located in the southeast, this place has always been efficient. Get there early, though; the queue can snake around the corner by 9 a.m.
- Saskatoon Service Canada Centre and Passport Services – Right downtown on 22nd Street. They have dedicated passport counters, and the staff actually seem to enjoy their jobs. Bring a book.
- Regina Service Canada Centre and Passport Services – On Albert Street, near the Cornwall Centre. Pro tip: book an appointment online if you can; it will save you at least an hour of staring at the wall.
These centres are your best bet if you need a passport in a hurry—they offer 10-business-day pickup if you pay the extra $50 for urgent service. Otherwise, standard processing is still around 20 days, but with summer travel looming, that could take longer.
Three Changes You Will Notice (Besides the Price Tag)
The government quietly rolled out a few tweaks alongside the fee hike. First, they have expanded the list of guarantors—you can now use anyone who has known you for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport, even if they are not a professional (like a doctor or lawyer). Second, digital passport photos are now accepted at most Service Canada locations, so you do not have to carry around those flimsy paper copies. And third, they have streamlined the online renewal portal for adults whose last passport was issued in the past 15 years. No more printing and mailing—just upload and go.
Oh, and if you are renewing for a kid under 16, heads-up: you still have to show up in person with them. No way around that one.
My Take: Do Not Wait Until June
Look, I have been covering this beat long enough to know that every spring, there is a mad rush of people who suddenly realise their passport expired two years ago and they are supposed to fly to Cancún next week. Do not be that person. With fees climbing every April 1, there is actually a financial incentive to get it done now. Lock in this year's rate, and you are ahead of the game.
Plus, the Calgary Sundance centre—and the ones in Saskatoon and Regina—are still handling walk-ins, but that could change if volumes spike. If you have flexibility, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Mondays are chaos, and Fridays are for people who love waiting in line.
One last thing: double-check your photos. The new specs are slightly different (they are strict about the head size and background), and nothing slows down an application like a photo rejection. Most Shoppers Drug Marts and London Drugs now have the right template, so it is worth the few bucks to get them done there.
Safe travels—and here is hoping we all remember to renew before the next price bump.