Travellers Face 2 month wait for passports

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Travellers Face 2 Month Wait for Passports

-CBC News

Canadians scrambling to obtain passports before a March break holiday may be out of luck, with waiting times now stretching to 60 days, Passport Canada says.

Passport Canada spokeswoman Francine Charbonneau said the agency is receiving high volumes of applications, averaging about 21,000 a day. On a busy day last year, the office would have received about 13,000 applications

Passport Canada's printing offices are working around the clock to meet increased demand.Passport Canada's printing offices are working around the clock to meet increased demand.

"At this point your only chance if you want to travel for March break is to apply in person and even that's not a guarantee because of these backlogs," she said.

If an application has recently been submitted by mail, people can call a 1-800 number to have their passport application returned to them.

In the case of an emergency such as a death in the family, illness or a last-minute business trip, passport officers can fast-track applications.

"It's up to the discretion of the passport officer," Charbonneau said, noting that a last-minute flight to Florida would not qualify as an urgent situation.

Print centres running round-the-clock

While the office hired 200 new officers in November to help with the deluge, they're still having trouble meeting the demand.

"We're doing everything we can," she said, noting that the office's print centres in Mississauga, Ont., and Gatineau, Que., have boosted their production.

"We are running our print centres on 24-hour clocks, which is something that's never been done before," Charbonneau said.

A U.S. law that took effect on Jan. 23, 2007, requires that all Canadians flying to the U.S. have a valid passport.

[Reba 2]

Well I can't feel sorry for any of them waiting in the backlog. They've known this was coming for quite some time, with regular reminders from the government and the media.

If they want to get to Florida, they'll just have to drive. And then good luck at the border!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I can appreciate that. The other consideration, however, is for people like us who require a passport for some sort of a visa request or a replacement passport from outside of the country. I would hate to be isolated here for 2 months without my passport in case I had an emergency back in Canada - it was bad enough waiting for the AP and knowing an emergency would require extraordinary measures. Mine is actualy due for renewal a year this May - the exact same time I need to be applying to remove the conditions on my status, and the land border passport requirement goes into effect. I am thinking I may have to send it in extra early to ensure I have it back - and the old one with it - in time to get the extension stamp while witing for the 10 year green card. If it isn't one thing, it is another!

[Reba 2]

You can do it as much as 6 months ahead of time. Just send a letter with it to say exactly why you need it early and they'll do it. I had mine renewed about a year and a half early right before I got my K3. I didn't want it to expire half way through my visa.

[Marilyn. 340]

I can appreciate that. The other consideration, however, is for people like us who require a passport for some sort of a visa request or a replacement passport from outside of the country. I would hate to be isolated here for 2 months without my passport in case I had an emergency back in Canada - it was bad enough waiting for the AP and knowing an emergency would require extraordinary measures. Mine is actualy due for renewal a year this May - the exact same time I need to be applying to remove the conditions on my status, and the land border passport requirement goes into effect. I am thinking I may have to send it in extra early to ensure I have it back - and the old one with it - in time to get the extension stamp while witing for the 10 year green card. If it isn't one thing, it is another!

I thought the land border requirements weren't coming into effect until next year...

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Edited February 11, 2007 by MarilynP

[Kathryn41 3,205]

yes - next year - as early as January but current scuttlebut says it will probably be around June 2008. My passport expires May 2008. ( wrote " a year this May - which means not this May, but a year from this May - which will be May 2008) :-)

Edited February 12, 2007 by Kathryn41

[Buttons 0]

We all knew it was coming thank god I got mine before all this mess.

[MissStacey 1]

I have been working on my Mom and Sister to get their passports. When I sent away for more Birth Certificates from Montreal, I got them to get the new one. The old ones were laminated and no longer acceptable. So when they come in I will be on them to get their application together.

[Reba 2]

My Mother has filled out the forms and got her photos done twice already, and "keeps forgetting" to go to the office to hand it in. They've expired on her a couple of times.

I swear my Uncle is going to start charging her to sign as her guarantor.

I'm not going to hold my breath on ever seeing my sister down here for a visit.

[Marilyn. 340]

yes - next year - as early as January but current scuttlebut says it will probably be around June 2008. My passport expires May 2008. ( wrote " a year this May - which means not this May, but a year from this May - which will be May 2008) :-)

oops sorry misread your post

[riblet 0]

Michael needed one for this whole process, so he went back in December. It only took a few weeks... the worst thing now is that because of all the publicity, it seems like more people are applying now just because they're panicking. Sort of like a bank run on the post office. But it's hard to feel sorry for people who've had a vacation planned for months.

[warlord 73]

I'm actually sending mine out today as it expires in June as well I think. With the rate it'll be processed, I won't be surprised if I get my US passport in before I ever get the Canadian one back...

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'm actually sending mine out today as it expires in June as well I think. With the rate it'll be processed, I won't be surprised if I get my US passport in before I ever get the Canadian one back...

The U.S. Passport Office says that, unless you expedite it, you should receive your U.S. passport in about six weeks. If you choose to expedite it, then two weeks. Although I don't know if that's the case anymore, with tons of people rushing out to get their passport, just like what's happening in Canada. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a little longer than before...

I am so glad that my passport doesn't expire until 2015.

[kristenm 0]

I got my visa SUPER fast because I filed out the form on-line!!!!!! I submitted my visa application before Christmas and it was ready for p/u on Jan. 8. At the montreal office, you don't have to wait in line, you skip in and wait in the "fast" line - the one that is reserved for people who filed out the form on-line and printed it.

Check it out!