Service Canada has announced the reopening of all passport service counters across the country. They mark a return to pre-pandemic in-person service capacity, with a 40% increase in capacity.

The organization says capacity in waiting rooms has also been significantly expanded, and that it has also taken additional measures to simplify and expedite passport processing.

With pandemic travel restrictions being lifted around the world, Service Canada says its ability to serve Canadians swiftly was affected by an unprecedented volume of applications and the obligation to impose in-person capacity limits for both clients and staff to protect health and safety.

Service Canada says several measures have been put in place to make it easier for Canadians to access passport services, including hiring 600 new employees specifically to support the processing of passport applications. It says staff are working overtime and on weekends to increase processing capacity. This includes opening select Service Canada Centres on Saturdays for passport service.

As well, a simplified renewal process now allows applicants to renew an expired passport if it was issued in the last 15 years. The simplified process is also available to those who had their passport lost, stolen or damaged.

Applicants do not need to have a guarantor or provide their original documents, such as proof of citizenship or photo identification. They simply need two photos, two references, their completed form and the applicable fees. Service Canada says these changes make renewing a passport easier and faster.

Service Canada has also launched eservices.canada.ca/reservation/, an online appointment-booking tool that applicants can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from their computer, tablet or cellphone to book their appointment online. The tool also directs them to the right location to submit their passport applications.

For people in situations where they can’t wait for an appointment, Service Canada makes the following suggestions:

-- Anyone who needs a passport within two business days must visit one of the specialized passport sites (Service Canada Centres – Passport Service) offering urgent pick-up service. Proof of travel is required.

-- Those travelling within 25 business days can use the walk-in service at one of the 35 specialized passport sites (Service Canada Centres – Passport Service). Appointments are recommended, and proof of travel is required. Please note that wait times at these sites may be long due to the current demand.

-- For anyone travelling in more than 25 days (or with no specific travel date), over 300 Service Canada Centres are available to receive passport applications in person. No proof of travel is needed. These applicants also have the option to mail in their applications.

Although processing times are currently longer than prior to the pandemic, Service Canada says 98% of Canadians who apply in-person at a specialized passport office currently receive their passports in less than 10 business days.