May 10, 2023 Ottawa – The Canadian passport is one of the most meaningful and internationally recognized travel documents. For some, it is used to reconnect with loved ones, explore the world, and have an adventure. For others, it is the final step in their immigration journey: becoming a Canadian citizen and joining a diverse and inclusive society that values ​​democracy, freedom and human rights.

Today, the Honorable Sean Fraser, Secretary of State for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honorable Karina Gould, Secretary of State for Families, Children and Social Development, proudly unveil the new Canadian passport. The new passport has been redesigned from start to finish, incorporating the latest security features and redesign to ensure it continues to be one of the safest and most widely accepted travel documents in the world for all Canadians.

The new passport has state-of-the-art security features designed to protect Canadian identities, such as a polycarbonate information page, a technology similar to that used in Canadian driver’s licenses. Passport holders’ personal information is now laser engraved instead of printed in ink. This makes the information page more durable and more difficult to tamper with and forge. Other features include a kinegram on the primary photo, a custom transparent window with a secondary image of the passport holder, a variable laser image, and a temperature-sensitive ink feature.

The new passport celebrates Canada’s heritage and identity with iconic images of Canada’s natural beauty throughout the four seasons. It also features a new maple leaf-outline cover, the first major change in decades. The distribution of the new passport will begin in the course of the summer. Until then, the current passport remains secure and reliable, requiring Canadians with a valid passport to renew until the normal renewal date approaches. Further information on the implementation will be communicated at a later date.

The Canadian government is also working to offer Canadians more online service options. Beginning in late fall, Canadians will be able to renew their passport, pay their fees and upload their photo online in a safe and convenient way.