Starting March 31, 2026, Canadians will pay more for passports and some related travel document services. The change matters if you are renewing soon, applying for a first passport, or paying for urgent/express service. It also matters if you apply from outside Canada, where fees are already higher.
This is not a one-time increase. The federal government has signalled a move toward regular fee adjustments tied to inflation, starting this year.
What is changing on March 31, 2026?
The government’s plan is to apply a 2.7% increase, linked to Canada’s All-items CPI (April 2024), with the first adjustment taking effect March 31, 2026.
In practical terms, that means the same passport service will cost slightly more if you pay on or after March 31.
Examples: what you may pay after the increase
IRCC currently lists these in-Canada passport fees:
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Adult passport (5-year): $120 → about $123.24 after a 2.7% increase
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Adult passport (10-year): $160 → about $164.32 after a 2.7% increase
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Child passport (0–15): $57 → about $58.54 after a 2.7% increase
Important: Government fees are sometimes rounded, and some services may be listed with cents depending on how the fee table is published. The safest step is to confirm the official fee table right before you pay.
Do pickup and urgent service fees also increase?
Possibly. IRCC’s fee page shows separate service fees such as:
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Standard pickup: $20
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Express pickup (2–9 business days): $50
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Urgent pickup (next business day): $110
If the same 2.7% adjustment is applied to these, they would also rise slightly. Check the official fee page on the day you pay.
What this means for applicants
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If you pay before March 31, 2026, you would normally pay the current fees.
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If you pay on/after March 31, 2026, expect the new fees.
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If you’re applying close to the change date, avoid delays by paying the correct amount shown on IRCC’s page when you submit.
Internal guidance: If you’re applying from outside Canada, your fee structure can be different. Always use the IRCC instructions for your location before submitting.
FAQ
When do the new passport fees start?
March 31, 2026.
Which passports are affected?
The change is expected to affect passport and travel document fees and related services, not just one passport type.
Will fees go up every year?
The government has signalled annual adjustments linked to inflation, and IRCC has also indicated the fee adjustment approach is under review.
If I already paid, will I be charged more?
If you paid the wrong amount for your application type/time, IRCC may request the difference. Use the current IRCC fee instructions when submitting.
Reality check
A passport fee increase is usually small, but it can matter for families paying multiple fees (passport + pickup/urgent services + photos + courier). Also, higher fees do not guarantee faster processing—processing time depends on the service level you choose and IRCC capacity. If your travel date is soon, focus more on applying early and choosing the right service level than trying to “beat” a small fee increase.
