New Canadian passport’s dark and incredible secrets - FlyerTalk Forums (2024)

DirtyDan

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: KWI

Programs: I travel for fun these days.

Posts: 383

When applying for your first passport (not using the simplified renewal process), In the bottom of section 1 of the passport application (right beside where you need to sign without touching the shaded area) it states, "Declaration—I solemnly declare that I am a Canadian citizen...."

Furthermore, in addition to any valid travel document which must be submitted with the original application, you are also required to submit original proof of citizenship (Birth certificate in Canada or Certificate of Canadian citizenship).

Cannot it not be stated then that carrying a valid Canadian passport is most definitely proof of citizenship?

emma69

Join Date: Feb 2010

Posts: 13,573

The folk I spoke with when I made enquiries said that the citizenship card is still ok when entering Canada, it is the new, paper certificate only certificates that are the problem. Perhaps because they really are in no way secure (really, anyone with a colour printer could whip one up unless I am missing something)? I know the code on them links to an electronic file, but perhaps the systems are not yet fully in place for every access point to have real time access? I don't know.

Now, had I tried coming in at YYZ, I am guessing it probably would have been fine (since my other passport is from a country that has no visa requirement for Canada) and they would have processed it (but probably not as quickly, secondary needed etc.) IME the agents at YYZ are reasonable human beings with brain cells! But had I been travelling on a passport that required a visa (that I didn't have) it might have been a somewhat different situation like these people experienced: http://www.thestar.com/news/immigrat...a_airport.html

emma69

Join Date: Feb 2010

Posts: 13,573

Yup - I also had to do the same when my permanent residency came through - despite the fact I was in Canada, I had to leave the country, so I could re-enter on the residency permit. Luckily for me, that is just a quick hop down to Niagara, cross over the bridge to the US, and come back again, but for people who live hours from the border, it is a real PITA.

I am not sure the Canadian passport process is any more onerous than the UK one - in fact, I am pretty sure there were less 'hoops' on my Canadian one to jump through than my last UK renewal (certainly the paperwork for the UK one is more befuddling, the Canadian one is far more user friendly!)

Spoddy

Join Date: Jan 2013

Posts: 182

I disagree, my UK renewal was very straightforward.. even though it was also out of the country. The most annoying part was getting Kinkos to make sure the pictures were in the right format.. "uhhh that's close enough, right?".. and this was with an expired passport too.

Even my initial UK passport (in country) was pretty straightforward.

Last time I did my Canadian - and that was out of country too - was a nightmare - the Canadian government really don't care that you don't have all the resources (read: canadian citizen guarantor). I gave up having to do that every 5 years, but now there's a 10 year passport.. will be putting up with it again.

tentseller

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ

Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC

Posts: 10,741

The renewal is a lot less painless now for Canadian passport.
I do my photo for UK renewal in HK at a shop who does it right.

Crampedin13A

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: YYZ

Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba

Posts: 6,016

The removal of the previous ridiculous guarantor requirement on a renewal alone makes the Canadian renewal much less of a PITA. Still went for the 10 year passport regardless.

emma69

Join Date: Feb 2010

Posts: 13,573

I actually found the Canadian one really straightforward, took it to the passport office, they checked I had everything done right, and the passport was issued 2 days later. Obviously being in Canada, I didn't have any issues getting someone to sign the back of my photos.

The British one is pretty simple if you were born before 1983 - at that point the rules changed, and I know people who were born outside the UK after that time have had a hell of a time getting their British passport - wanting original copies of their parents' birth certificates and original marriage certificates for their parents. The UK also requires guarantors, and are more stringent than Canada (all the Canadian one has to be is a citizen, the British one requires them to hold a certain job, e.g. accountant, lawyer, clergy etc.)

ajGoes

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: DAY/CMH

Programs: UA MileagePlus

Posts: 2,474

My mom made the opposite journey around 1950. She'd been in the States on a student visa when she married my dad (and became subject to deportation!).

mromalley

Join Date: Nov 2012

Location: YOW

Posts: 1,024

You forgot - What year did the Maple Laughs last win a Stanley Cup

DirtyDan

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: KWI

Programs: I travel for fun these days.

Posts: 383

All these pretty pictures... I wonder if that's why there's only 36 pages in the new passport?

What good is 10 year validity when you'll fill it up in 5; money making scheme?

garykung

Join Date: Aug 2009

Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG

Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓

Posts: 13,811

Actually no.

A Canadian Passport is a proof of citizenship if you renew the passport in a timely manner.

A U.S. Passport is a proof of citizenship regardless.

neuron

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth

Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 8,289

I am not sure that getting a passport is that difficult. The application is straightforward, as are the requirements for your photograph and guarantors. I live outside Canada but flew in to get a 24 h passport service. It took a total of 8 hours from dropoff to pick up. Frankly, it could have been faster as they had printed it off within a couple of hours of contacting my guarantors at 10am in the morning.

They have relaxed the guarantor requirements and the questions they get asked if called are pretty straightforward (how long have you known applicant, what do they do, how old are they, describe them physically.)

For some a 48 page would not make a difference. I have 5 pages completed (all multiple stamps) in my first 3 months, so I would probably fill this even before my 5th yr. I think 48 is the max and would not be surprised to see them move to that in the future. Frankly its nice to see the new passport and some of its features.

GUWonder

Join Date: Jul 2001

Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory

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Posts: 102,094

Long ago expired US passports are not proof of citizenship regardless. And it doesn't even take examples such as the following to demonstrate how it may not be:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...tter-bulgarian

Also, we still have a minority of US passports that were issued for non-citizens of the US. So there are US nationals who are not US citizens but have a US passport. Their US passport is not proof of US citizenship regardless.

It seems like you are not familiar with the legal facts in this area.

Last edited by GUWonder; Jan 27, 2015 at 4:41 am

CdnFlier

Join Date: Aug 2008

Location: Canada

Programs: AC*SE

Posts: 1,968

That's different than the passport vs no-passport situation. Yours was a change of immigration status and so you need to enter to trigger the new status.

When it comes to passport, I have a secondary one and once while I forgot my Canadian one when I approached CBSA and let them know. When I showed them the one I did have they looked me up, asked me a question or two and let me in "as a Canadian".

As much as a passport isn't proof of citizenship, you also don't need a passport to enter Canada as a Canadian (unlike the USA where they require one from Americans).

GUWonder

Join Date: Jul 2001

Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory

Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting

Posts: 102,094

The US is legally required to admit recognized US citizens into the US as US citizens even when the US citizen at a US port of entry has no US passport to present at the US port of entry. Having a US passport is not a necessary requirement for being recognized as a US citizen by the USG.

US citizens lose passports between gate check for a US-bound flight and arrival at a US port of entry, and we do get admitted -- it generally takes a bit longer than when with a passport (but not always), but CBP allow us in without any civil or criminal penalty applicable.