A hint if you're renewing your passport anytime soon

[Rem]

I just had to renew my passport today, and I discovered something I thought I'd pass on.

There were over 100 people ahead of me in line at the passport office, and the average wait was over 2 hours but since I had filled out the form online and printed it off at home, I was in and out in 5 minutes.

So if you're in need of a new passport any time soon, fill out the form online, it's worth it!

http://www.pptc.gc.ca/can/pol_on-line_form.aspx?lang=e

[glorifiedtaxidriver]

2 hrs isn't a bad wait. people have been waiting for much longer in Vancouver. Another hint. people have been going to those day labour employment offices and hiring someone to stand in line for them for 6 or 8 hrs. something to think about if you've got better things to do, or you're a pilot and could use the extra money.

[YACdirect]

And the wait time to mail it in is 40 business days (minimum) or 20 days if you bring it into a passport office yourself.

Hope you aren't in a hurry to go stateside.

[Dash-Ate]

Remember not to smile in your photo...that is banned now...

[Expat]

It is also worthwhile to pay 5 dollars extra and get the 52 page version.

[. ._]

I just had to renew my passport today, and I discovered something I thought I'd pass on.

There were over 100 people ahead of me in line at the passport office, and the average wait was over 2 hours but since I had filled out the form online and printed it off at home, I was in and out in 5 minutes.

So if you're in need of a new passport any time soon, fill out the form online, it's worth it!

http://www.pptc.gc.ca/can/pol_on-line_form.aspx?lang=e

What city was that in?

[Driving Rain]

There were over 100 people ahead of me in line at the passport office, and the average wait was over 2 hours but since I had filled out the form online and printed it off at home, I was in and out in 5 minutes.

I filled my application out on line too. However when I went to the office in YWG I had to take a number. There weren't more than 10 people (some couples) ahead of me. All 5 wickets were open so my wait wasn't long. Regardless I had to wait my turn and number to come up. This was back in MAY. I didn't see an express counter that said ONLINE APPLICANTS ...tell us more.

[CD]

See? The government really does know what you want...

Online passport application being phased out

Last Updated: Monday, April 13, 2009 | 12:39 PM ET
The Canadian Press

Passport Canada will stop accepting online applications at the end of April.

Passport On-Line was launched in 2005 with great fanfare, and a promise to reduce wait times by allowing Canadians to pre-process their application.

But the agency said this month the online service won't be available after April 30.

The move follows complaints from Canada's privacy commissioner about sloppy security at the agency, and an embarrassing online security breach more than a year ago.

But Passport Canada says the online service is being wound up because it's not as "convenient" for Canadians as using downloadable forms that must be taken in person to a passport office.

As of June 1, most Canadians travelling by land or water to U.S. destinations must carry a passport.

Full story here...

[bmc]

If you have tickets travel within a week, you can get your application turned around within 48 hours.

[CD]

Well sure ... unless they decide that isn't "convenient" for Canadians and offer a 14-day service instead.

[Just another canuck]

I filled mine out online, went first thing in the morning so I was the first one in line then told them it was an urgent matter. It was, but if I remember correctly, the didn't ask to see any proof of why it was urgent. I had it in two business days.

This was the Thunder Bay office.

[...]

I'm actually picking up my new one today. Although I lost my Brazillian entry visa on the old one. I had another month on it.

Anyway, are there any countries in Asia where I need an entry visa? My big places I want to go to this summer is China, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma. Japan and the Maldives. Thailand also, IF they get their shit together with whats happening in the news.

Thanks in advance.

[Just another canuck]

I'm actually picking up my new one today. Although I lost my Brazillian entry visa on the old one. I had another month on it.

Anyway, are there any countries in Asia where I need an entry visa? My big places I want to go to this summer is China, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma. Japan and the Maldives. Thailand also, IF they get their shit together with whats happening in the news.

Thanks in advance.

Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos are all Visa on Arrival... you need to get one to get into Vietnam prior to going to the country. Best thing is plan to go their from Bangkok, cause you get a visa in Bangkok for anywhere in the area. I learned the hard way cause my buddy said it was visa on arrival and they kicked me out of the country. The only flight I could get was business class back to Bangkok. Can't comment on the others... China, Burma and Japan... I would guess Japan is okay, but can't really say. Don't know about South Korea either.

[Pirate Pilot]

If you are in the Victoria, B.C. area and need a renewal their office is pretty organized. Fill out ALL the forms beforehand and when you arrive, they have an expiditor guy standing there before you get your call up number that reviews your forms, then directs you to a window where you hand the completed forms to an attendant who hands them off to another clerk. Although the place was full of people we were in and out of there in less than 1 hr. I paid an extra fee (don't remember exactly but less than $100) and our daughter picked up our new passports for us 3 days later.

[CLguy]

Maldives issue a 30 day vistors visa on arrival. Work visas must be issued before arrival to the country or you will get an unexpected trip to Sri Lanka!!

Let me know when you plan on being there!

[BibleMonkey]

Bukovinians line up in a dungeon cell watched by Soviet guard (on left)

[Mode C]

If you have tickets travel within a week, you can get your application turned around within 48 hours.

In some circumstances, even quicker!

After I got... well lets say MUGGED, since the real story is much longer, I was able to get my passport back within a few hours. I went in with the required forms, ID, signed letter from my lawyer and a letter from my CP saying that I need it to perform my duties as a flight crew member and the circumstances behind why I lost the other passport and they were able to process and print me a passport at the Scarborough passport office within hours.