Passeport Canada 2026: Fees Going Up Every Year—What You Need to Know
If you’ve been putting off renewing your Canadian passport, you might want to check your calendar—and your budget. The government just confirmed that passport fees will now rise every year, with the first hike landing on April 1, 2026. It’s not a massive jump (we’re talking about five bucks for a five-year passport and ten for the ten-year), but it’s the kind of thing that makes you kick yourself for waiting if you wait too long.
Here’s 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’ll tack on another few dollars. It’s part of a move to keep up with processing costs and inflation—something they’ve decided to make an annual tradition. So yeah, that old passport you’ve 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’re in the Prairies, you’re 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 crossing your fingers. Three spots that 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 lineup can snake around the corner by 9 a.m.
- Saskatoon Service Canada Centre and Passport Services – Right downtown on 22nd Street. They’ve got 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’ll 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 stretch.
Three Changes You’ll Notice (Besides the Price Tag)
The government quietly rolled out a few tweaks alongside the fee hike. First, they’ve expanded the list of guarantors—you can now use anyone who’s known you for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport, even if they’re not a professional (like a doctor or lawyer). Second, digital passport photos are now accepted at most Service Canada locations, so you don’t have to carry around those flimsy paper copies. And third, they’ve 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’re 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: Don’t Wait Until June
Look, I’ve been covering this beat long enough to know that every spring, there’s a mad rush of people who suddenly realise their passport expired two years ago and they’re supposed to fly to Cancún next week. Don’t be that person. With fees climbing every April 1, there’s actually a financial incentive to get it done now. Lock in this year’s rate, and you’re 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’ve got 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’re 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’s worth the few bucks to get them done there.
Safe travels—and here’s hoping we all remember to renew before the next price bump.