Making Sure Your Canadian Passport is Valid for Travel

Now that changes in international travel restrictions have made it easier for Canadians to go on vacations abroad during the pandemic, you might risk running into this familiar, yet nerve-wracking scenario: you’ve booked your flight, accommodation, all your activities and restaurant reservations for your upcoming trip… only to realize that your passport, although technically not expired, isn’t valid!

Forgetting to or waiting until the last minute to check your passport’s expiry date can lead to unpleasant surprises (situations like being denied entry when boarding a plane or being charged cancellation fees for not being able to proceed with your trip), despite all the trip planning you might’ve already done beforehand. You should never travel with a passport with an expiry date that cuts it a little too close to your planned return date, and certainly not one that’s set to expire while you’re outside of Canada.

The value of your Canadian passport

Canadian passports are generally considered to be among the most powerful in the world–in  terms of global mobility—often ranking high on passport indexes. That means Canadian travellers can choose to visit numerous countries without having to worry too much about strict visa requirements.  

But that won’t matter if your passport isn’t valid! Even if you aren’t a frequent traveller, it’s your responsibility to make sure that both you and your passport’s validity aren’t pressed for time—always be aware of your passport’s expiry date. 

Important: Are you a Canadian dual citizen with two passports? Remember that you can’t travel to or transit through Canada by air with a non-Canadian passport (unless your second passport is a US one). A valid Canadian passport will be required to board your flight. 

Checking your Canadian passport’s validity

Each country has their own entry requirements when it comes to passport validity, so check the entry and exit requirements of each country, on the Canadian Government’s Travel Advice and Advisories page. Although these requirements can change at any time, as a general rule of thumb, plan to have your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date of your trip. If your passport’s expiry date falls short of the required timeframe, you might already want to renew your passport ahead of time, in order to account for processing time and possible delays. Depending on where you’re applying from (whether Canada, US, or other countries), the steps to renew your Canadian passport might differ. 

Note: Rush services are available, but the fees are expensive, and proof of your emergency is required. The quickest turnaround times to process passport renewals are typically between June and November. 

Keep in mind 3 things when checking passport validity requirements for your destination: 

• Airlines have the right to turn you away if your passport doesn’t meet the validity requirement(s). 
• Along with your final destination, you’ll also need to take the validity requirements of any layover or transit destinations into account.
• In case a country’s requirements aren’t clearly stated, check in with the country’s embassy, consulate or transportation company to confirm the rules and regulations related to passport validity. 

Crossing the US border with a valid passport

Before the pandemic, many Canadians travelled back and forth across the border without a second thought. As border regulations continue to ease up, and your cross-border shopping trips resume, it’s important to remember to check your passport’s validity just like you would for any other international destination, even if it’s just for quick 2-day trips. 

Tip: Want to see a record of your US trips in a database? Make sure you track your border crossing history accurately each time you cross. 

My passport won’t expire anytime soon. What’s next?

So, you’ve checked that your Canadian passport is in fact still valid for the next little while—again, around 6 months as a general rule of thumb—or you’ve just recently renewed it. With a sigh of relief and a little more breathing room for solidifying your trip dates (having extra time will also help you in preparing for unforeseen changes to your plans, like extending your vacation), you can go back to planning your trip. Now it’s time to consider another essential way to secure your travel plans: protecting yourself and, if not travelling alone, your travel companion(s) with travel insurance. If you’re a stranger to its many advantages and benefits, read on to understand how emergency medical travel insurance should cover travellers. 

Safe travels, 

Justin

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.