How To Renew Indian Passport in Canada?

Posted on Mar 17th, 2022 by Heena Ganotra, Last updated on Dec 28th, 2022

Has your Indian passport expired in Canada? Is the renewal date close and do you want to get it done before travelling anywhere? Fortunately, the passport renewal process is quick and easy. Most of the process can be carried out online and can be done even if you’re still in Canada. You will get ample support from the Indian consulate to ensure the process goes smoothly and you don’t violate any immigration laws.

Steps | How To Renew An Expired Passport In Canada?

The General Consulate of India in Toronto, Canada requires all passport holders to renew their passports at least six months before their expiry. It is recommended for holders to apply for renewal a year before expiry just to be safe.¹

An expired passport in Canada won’t be considered grounds for an emergency, which means the consulate won’t accelerate the application just because the passport has expired or is close to expiry. If yours is close to expiry, don’t panic! Just carry out the application process mentioned below and wait for your new passport to arrive. 

• Fill Out the Application – The first step is to fill out an online form clearly, without any mistakes or misinformation. Make sure the details match your previous passport unless you wish to renew it for a name change or address change purposes. 
• Mention Where You’re Applying From – If you’re applying from a different country, make sure you mention it on your form. There will be a field that asks where you’re applying from. Holders applying from Canada need to choose ‘The Americas’ and the ‘Canada’ option in their form. 
• Print Out the Form – Once you submit the form online, print it out and submit a hard copy of it to your nearest BLS center. The copy should include your passport photograph, required documents, and the fee. 
• In Case of Errors – If you made an error in the online form, you can submit a new form online. Make sure you take the printout of the correct form and submit it to the BLS center. 
• Submitting the Form – Submitting the form online only requires a click of the bottom but you do need to submit a hard copy as well. Applicants cannot walk into the consulate to submit their hard copies. They must visit their nearest BLS center after booking an appointment. They can also post the application directly to the center. 

As you can see, the process is fairly straightforward. However, if your passport does expire before you can renew it, you will need to submit the application and fill in an affidavit during the application. Your package must include a self-attested declaration written clearly on plain paper with the reason for your delay. The consulate may ask you to pay a penalty fee if your passport has expired a year ago. It is advisable to renew an expired passport before you cross any international borders. 

However, if you’re asking ‘can I travel to Canada with an expired passport?’, the answer is yes if you still have a valid Visa attached to your old passport. You may need some supporting documents along with your Visa and expired passport, but it is possible to travel to the country with it. 

We don’t recommend it. International travel can get very tricky if you don’t have the proper documents in hand. Most Indian passports are valid for 5-10 years, you will have ample time to renew them unless there is an emergency. Fortunately, there are processes in place for travelers to get passports quickly in case of emergencies. 

Documents Needed For Canadian Passport 

Your passport package should include the following documents. Make sure you consult with the FAQ page for any document-related concerns or specific requirements like a passport for minors, replacement of lost passport, etc. The list of documents include:

• Recent photographs taken according to the guidelines provided. 
• The applicant’s original passport. 
• Copies of the first and last page of the applicant’s current passport. 
• Copy of the applicant’s legal valid status in Canada. Example – study permit, work permit, PR card, or visitor record. 
• Copy of landing paper. 
• One copy each of proof of Canadian address and Indian address. 
• Personal particulars form along with a photo as required. 
• Annexure E form.  

These are the documents needed for a Canadian passport for an Indian traveler or resident. Make sure all of the information in these documents are accurate and up-to-date. If you have changed your address or other particulars, mention the changes and provide the supporting documents. 

How Much Does A Passport Cost In Canada?

The current passport prices as of April 2021 are mentioned below. It is always a good idea to double-check these prices before submitting the form as they can change without notice. The current prices are-

• Normal Adult Passport with 36 Pages – $96
• Normal Adult Passport to Replace Lost/Damaged Passports with 36 Pages – $189
• Normal Adult Passport to Replace Lost/Damaged Passports with 60 Pages – $220.
• TATKAL Adult Passport with 36 Pages – $282

Extra BLS service charge of $ 7.40 is applicable. Any affidavits or attested documents can carry additional costs. Check the FAQ page to see if there are other charges applicable to your particular case. You can also find several reliable resources if you search ‘how much to renew a passport’ online. Be sure to stick with official consulate websites to get the latest information.

Canadian Passport Renewal for a Child

The rules are slightly different if you want to renew a minor’s passport while in Canada. The kid’s passport renewal. Along with the standard application form mentioned above, the parents also need to furnish:

• An Annexure D form.
• Copies of the parent’s or guardian’s passports. 
• Address and ID proof of both parents or guardians. 
• In the case of Single Parents – Annexure C form is required from the custodial parent. 
• Custody Proof like a court document.
• Copy of the custodial parent’s passport. 
• Copy of the custodial parent’s address proof. 

It is important to note that both parents need to consent if the marriage was solemnized in India but the divorce was granted by Canadian courts. The divorce may not be recognized by Indian authorities and therefore consent from both parties is essential. 

The child passport cost is listed below:

• Normal Minor Passport with 36 Pages – $65
• Normal Minor Passport to Replace Lost/Damaged Passports with 36 Pages – $189
• TATKAL Minor Passport with 36 Pages – $251
• Parents may need to get Annexure D or Annexure C forms attested from the consulate. This can cost an additional $16. 

If you want to know how long is a child passport good for, the answer depends on the child’s age and the type of Visa issued. If the child is visiting under the visitor’s permit, the passport is valid for 2 years. The passports of applicants under the student permits are valid for 5 years. Minors between the ages of 15 and 18 can get a 10-year passport. 

Emergency Passport in Canada

Sometimes people need to get their passport renewed urgently and want to save as much time as possible. They can apply for a passport under the TATKAL scheme. 

People can only apply for an urgent passport in Canada if an immediate family member is critically ill or has died. Immediate family includes the applicant’s children, spouse, siblings, or parents. The application must be submitted through the SAMPARK portal to ensure you get a quick appointment. 

TATKAL passports aren’t issued for:

• Damaged or lost passports.
• Changing personal information like name, address, marital status, etc. 
• Renewing short validity passports. 
• Passports for minors whose parents have recently divorced. 
• Expired PR, study permit, work permit, or visitor permit cases. 

TATKAL passports cost more and should be used in cases of emergency when you want to get a passport urgently. 

If you have any concerns or questions, you can visit the consulate website and read through the instructions, FAQs, and related information. If your concerns aren’t addressed there, you can contact the consulate through the SAMPARK service. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How Long Does It Take To Get A Passport?

Ans: In most cases, the passport is issued within 8 weeks of the consulate receiving the application (Note: not from the date of applying to the BLS center). Whether you need a Normal Category 36-page or 60-page passport, you should get it within that time. 

Q: How Many Days To Get An Expedited Passport?

Ans: Under the TATKAL category, you will get a passport within 1 week. Postal delays and other such hindrances notwithstanding. 

Q: How to Replace a Lost Canadian Passport

Ans: If your passport is lost, you need to file a police report at your nearest police station. While applying for a new passport, please submit the Annexure F form along with the police report that mentions all of your lost passport details accurately. Both of these documents are mandatory. 

Q. Can You Renew Passport by Mail?

Ans. Yes, you can renew passport by mail. Just send the hard copy of the online application form along with all of the required documents to the nearest BLS center. The passport will be shipped to your official Canadian address directly. 

Q. What Documents are Considered Proof of Address?

Ans. Canadian proof of address documents includes license, tax statement, government photo ID, rental agreement, a letter from the university on official paper for students, copies of permit, or home internet bill. 

Indian proof of address documents includes passport, voter ID, government or PSU bank passbook, electricity bill, water bill, or government landline phone bill. 

Well, that’s all you need to know to renew your Indian passport in Canada.

Once your passport is renewed, it is safe and easy to travel to India, Canada, or any other country you wish to visit. You’ve done all of the hard work to get a valid passport and we at MyTicketsToIndia can help you with the actual travel part of the process. If you wish to visit India, we can find the best holiday deals and comfortable travel arrangements. We’re an IATA-certified travel agency that provides guaranteed low airfares and quick bookings. With our help, travel can be a breeze.