Rush Passport

[Flychicka]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows if Passport Canada will issue a rush passport to a pilot for an international company? I'm in a bit of a pickle as I have a personal trip in a month to a place that requires 6 month validity on your passport, and a trip to the US just came up. Now there isn't enough time in between the trips or before to renew my passport with the current wait times. As I'm jumpseating and staying with a friend in Asia, I have no proof of travel for my personal trip, nor for the trip to the US. I'm aware of the $70 surcharge as well as having to drop the documents and fees off in person in Winnipeg. Has anyone done this before playing the pilot card, and if so, what did you have to bring to appease the staff and allow you to get a rush done?

[Genetk44]

I may be wrong because it's been a few years but I think you can get a new passport in a very short time...a week or two if not a few days...it requires additional fees but I'm certain in can be done

[snowbear]

I fly out of YWG. Last year I renewed my passport in person downtown. I explained that I could not fly (work)without it. Paid the extra $ for quick service. I had my new passport in hand at 0900 on the second day. Most of my trips are international but I did not miss a day of work. Bitch about civil servants all the time but in this case they were outstanding.

[angry inch]

URGENT service at a regional Passport Canada office:

Proof of travel is required. The service standard for this option is same day or within the next working day (depending on the applicant's needs). The passport must be picked up at the regional office where the application was submitted. The fee for express pickup service is CDN$70 (in addition to the passport fee).

Contact Passport Canada at 1-800-567-6868 for more information in this regard.

[Expat]

I got my last one done within a week, overseas, but getting the requisite signature can be tough.

[ahramin]

To answer the question asked, normally the passport service takes proof of travel required as proof of travel required. If you are jumpseating then you would have the receipt for the jumpseat you could show them. As for your trip to the U.S., a letter from your employer stating that you have a trip to the U.S. would suffice.

If I recall correctly proof of travel is only needed when you need a passport done within 24 hours. If you can wait 2 days then you just pay your money and get your rush passport.

[flyincanuck]

I've done the rush twice. Had my passport in a matter of hours.

Line up your ducks though (references, paperwork, etc). You must have a letter from your employer stating you require the passport for work (best to get it on letterhead). Make sure someone (CP, DFO, etc), is available to take a call - they will call to check. Show up early (IE as soon as they open).

If you do this, you shouldn't have a problem.

The proof of travel is generally for the public who "forgot" their passport was expiring. If you can get proof of the US trip or the JS receipt, as Ahramin stated, it will only bolster your case.

Don't bother with going to Asia without the 6 months. I've known a few people turned away in HKG and dent back to NA bc there was less than 6 months of life left on the passport.

Good luck!

[Cap'n Tripps]

+1 to Flyncanuck

I've had mine done in 2 hours. Ended up costing about $140, which includes the large format passport. Helps to have the paperwork filled out beforehand. A letter from your company (on letter head) is required. Also make sure your references (2 of them) are lined up and available, by cell phone preferably. You may also want to consider going in uniform. In my case, they kept asking why I needed it so urgently, and I kept having to explain that I may need it at a moments notice for international company travel (which was true). Also, make sure you go to an actual Passport Office, where they can make a passport on the spot, and not simply a Service Canada office.

Good Luck!

[Lost Lake]

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

Part of your local MP's job is to help the constituents who helped them get elected. Explain to their office the extenuating circumstances and ask for help.


You might be surprised!!

WEIRD OR WHAT!!

[Sulako]

I live in the GTA. I got same-day passport service from the passport office by Square One.

Keep in mind: my paperwork was filled out completely, and legible. I was extremely polite to the cashiers and explained that my job as a corporate pilot didn't allow for not having a valid passport, and I had a letter on our company letterhead to that effect. I showed up as the doors opened. I got a call that afternoon and had my passport by 5pm the same day. Your mileage may vary, but I know from experience that if the stars align, it's possible.

[wirez]

I was in a similar situation before. I had to work a flight the following week, but did not want to be without a passport and wanted rush processing. The passport agent wouldn't do it, but hinted that if I wanted to go on a shopping trip to the US, I could write a written declaration of my intent to travel. The agent followed up with the warning that lying on a declaration could get me in trouble. At that moment, I remembered I had some errands to run in Buffalo NY. So I wrote down that I was going to drive down to Buffalo NY the day after to pick up some things at my PO Box there. The agent accepted it, and I had my passport the next day. I'm sure you can do something similar in regards to jumpseating.

[Westbeach]

Bit diff situation here but I technically needed aprox 12 pages of visas for a 2 month back packing trip and only had 6 avail in my passport that expired in 2013 - went to renew and they were brutal to deal with as in their eyes I had enough pages and 1.5 years left to expiry so they turned me away. I used my iphone in the parking lot to google my MP's office and called there. I ranted, her aide emailed me a disclosure form, I filled it out and got a call the next day from my MP's aide saying to go back to the ppt office as I was approved. Best part was that the same prick to my application the second time.

Basically, just saying the system does work. If you ever have any issue with a government office it is well worth a call to your MP's office as they want to keep your vote, especially for simplistic things like the above.

I think if you went there and pulled the pilot card, having your booklet as a backup, you shouldn't have any issues and if you do give a call to your MP - it works!

Cheers

[BigglesNBella]

I just got a new passport (today actually) from an overseas consulate. I applied for it about a month ago and was able to keep my old passport in the meantime by showing my airline ID because I also had a trip to the US to do. It was just another one page form to fill in; no extra fee or anything applied.

[old fart]

My wife got hers in two - three hours at the Kitchener office. Her passport had expired and she was leaving for Cuba the next day. The staff was very helpful. We gladly paid the extra fee - about $140 or so all in. I have had mine renewed at the same office in two or three days by showing my schedule. You do need a valid reason for the rush service and a copy of my schedule was all they needed. I just don't understand why we can't keep our old passport and trade it for the new? Why must they invalidate your old passport while the new one is just starting to be processed?

[BigglesNBella]

I just don't understand why we can't keep our old passport and trade it for the new? Why must they invalidate your old passport while the new one is just starting to be processed?

This is exactly what I did. I literally handed in my old passport and picked up the new one today.