Canadian temporary passports

The Canadian temporary passport is an eight-page, machine-readable passport. It is:

• issued by a Canadian mission
• used for short-term situations
• meant for urgent, proven travel situations or residency requirements
• based on the decision of the Government of Canada passport/consular officer

The temporary passport has:

• a white cover
• four visa pages
• a bio-data page
• your digitized photo
• security features

The temporary passport doesn’t replace a regular, diplomatic or special passport.

Validity

You can only get a temporary passport for the length of your travel, for a maximum of one year and can’t be extended for any reason.

Exchanging the temporary passport

You must sign a temporary passport exchange agreement when we issue a temporary passport. The agreement outlines your rights, privileges and duties. It includes:

• information on when you need to exchange it for a regular, diplomatic or special passport
  • the date must be within 60 calendar days of signing the agreement
• the exchange location, which you can’t change for any reason

How to exchange the temporary passport

You may exchange your passport:

• in person or by mail at the:
  • full-service Canadian mission closest to where you live or
  • mission where you submitted the application for the regular, diplomatic or special passport
• in person at a passport-issuing authority in Canada
  • a CAN$20 fee applies
• by mail in Canada

We recommend you use traceable mail if you are exchanging passports by mail.

A third party may exchange the passports for you, if they have:

• valid identification
• written permission from you

If you don’t claim your regular, diplomatic or special passport, it will be returned to us for safekeeping.

If you have questions about your temporary passport, contact the closest Canadian government office abroad.