Generally, IRCC aligns the expiry date of your Canadian visa with the expiry date of your passport. In the rare event that your passport is replaced early (e.g., due to running out of pages) but your Canadian visa inside is still valid, you can usually travel by presenting both the old cancelled passport and your new valid passport at the border.
Realizing your passport is about to expire right before a trip to Canada can induce a moment of panic. A common source of confusion for international travellers is what happens to their valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) when their passport needs to be replaced. Navigating Canada’s border rules requires understanding how immigration officers view your travel documents.
As a strict policy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will never issue a visa counterfoil or a work/study permit that is valid past the expiry date of your current passport. Because of this, it is highly unusual to have a valid Canadian visa inside an expired passport. However, if your home country cancelled your passport early-perhaps because it was damaged or ran out of blank pages-the Canadian visa inside might still have future validity. Knowing how to handle this rare exception is essential.
Step-by-Step Process for Managing Visas and Passports
If you find yourself with an expiring or replaced passport, you need to take action before attempting to board a flight to Canada. Here is how to ensure a smooth border crossing.
Step 1: Verify the Expiry Dates
First, look closely at the expiry date on your Canadian visa sticker and compare it to your passport’s expiry date. If your passport naturally expired on its expiry date, your Canadian visa has also expired. You must apply for a brand-new Canadian visitor visa using your newly issued passport. There is no shortcut around this rule.
Step 2: Handling an Early Passport Replacement
If your passport was replaced early by your home government, but the Canadian visa inside still shows a valid future date, do not peel the visa out. Peeling or tampering with the visa counterfoil instantly voids it. IRCC policy generally allows you to travel to Canada by carrying both your old, cancelled passport containing the valid visa and your new, valid passport. Ensure both documents are physically with you.
Step 3: Applying for a New eTA (If Applicable)
If you are from a visa-exempt country and hold an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), the rules are entirely different. An eTA is electronically linked to a specific passport number. If you get a new passport, your old eTA becomes invalid immediately, regardless of its original 5-year expiry date. You must apply and pay for a new eTA online with your new passport number.
Step 4: Inland Permit Renewals
If you are already inside Canada as a worker or student and your passport expires, your work or study permit will also expire on that exact same day. You must renew your passport through your embassy in Canada first, and then apply to IRCC to extend your study or work permit before the current one expires to maintain your legal status.
Document Scenarios and Required Actions
| Travel Document Status | Can I Travel to Canada? | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Passport Expired naturally | No. Visa is also expired. | Apply for a new passport, then apply for a new Canadian Visa. |
| Passport Cancelled Early (Visa still valid) | Yes, generally. | Carry both the old passport with the valid visa and the new passport. |
| New Passport Issued (eTA holder) | No. Old eTA is void. | Apply for a new eTA using the new passport number online. |
How Much Does it Cost to Fix?
Updating your Canadian immigration documents to match a new passport requires paying standard government fees.
- New Visitor Visa (TRV): $100 CAD (if your old one expired with your passport).
- New eTA: $7 CAD (processed online).
- Work Permit Extension Inland: $155 CAD.
- Study Permit Extension Inland: $150 CAD.
- Lawyer Consultation: If your situation is complex, a quick consultation with a Canadian immigration lawyer to verify your travel eligibility typically costs $150 to $350 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
If you must apply for a new visa because your old passport expired, you are subject to standard IRCC processing times. Depending on your home country, processing a new TRV can take anywhere from 15 days to over 100 days. An eTA, however, is usually approved within minutes, though complex cases can take a few days. If extending an inland permit, expect a wait of 40 to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer my valid Canadian visa to my new passport?
No. IRCC does not transfer visa counterfoils from an old passport to a new one. If your visa is still valid despite the passport being cancelled early, you must travel with both passports. If the visa expired, you must apply for a new one.
What if my old passport was stolen with my valid visa inside?
If your passport is lost or stolen, your visa is gone with it. You must report the theft to the police, obtain a new passport from your government, and submit a complete application for a new Canadian visa, including an LOE explaining the theft.
Will border officers question me if I use two passports?
It is standard procedure. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers are trained to handle travellers with a valid visa in an old passport. They will verify that the biographical data matches perfectly between the two documents.
Do I need to do biometrics again for a new visa?
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are generally valid for 10 years. If you are applying for a new visa and your biometrics are still within that 10-year window, you do not need to provide them again or pay the $85 CAD fee.
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