Renewing Canadian Passport for F3 Interview

[cyyz2000 24]

Hi everyone, my passport expires in a few days and was wondering if I should renew it via mail or wait until I get my interview letter? I'm not sure how long it will take if I send it in via mail so my plan is to wait until we get the interview letter and then have an urgent renewal done for it. I don't mind paying the additional fee, if there is any. 

 

What would you recommend? 

 

I'm in the F3 category, planning to interview at Montreal and DQ'd around July 2020.

[Ontarkie 13,915]

I would  do it sooner rather than later. It doesn't do you any good waiting. 

[cyyz2000 24]

1 hour ago, Ontarkie said:

I would  do it sooner rather than later. It doesn't do you any good waiting. 

Good idea. Printed out and filled everything and will mail it tomorrow morning. Thanks for the reply. 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

On 2/24/2021 at 5:45 PM, cyyz2000 said:

Good idea. Printed out and filled everything and will mail it tomorrow morning. Thanks for the reply. 

You're welcome

[puda 12]

On 2/22/2021 at 9:55 PM, cyyz2000 said:

Hi everyone, my passport expires in a few days and was wondering if I should renew it via mail or wait until I get my interview letter? I'm not sure how long it will take if I send it in via mail so my plan is to wait until we get the interview letter and then have an urgent renewal done for it. I don't mind paying the additional fee, if there is any. 

 

What would you recommend? 

 

I'm in the F3 category, planning to interview at Montreal and DQ'd around July 2020.

I got them on the phone. It’s 20 business days. Do it now to avoid paying any extra fee. Plus getting it expedited is for very strict reasons.

[cyyz2000 24]

11 hours ago, puda said:

I got them on the phone. It’s 20 business days. Do it now to avoid paying any extra fee. Plus getting it expedited is for very strict reasons.

Got it. Shipped it out and it was delivered to the address yesterday. Now I just have to wait. 

[puda 12]

9 hours ago, cyyz2000 said:

Got it. Shipped it out and it was delivered to the address yesterday. Now I just have to wait. 

I am sending my kid's applications early next week. Will keep you posted on how long it takes. According to people from my community, it took 15-30 days total last month so that would fall under the 20 business days timeline.

[cyyz2000 24]

19 hours ago, puda said:

I am sending my kid's applications early next week. Will keep you posted on how long it takes. According to people from my community, it took 15-30 days total last month so that would fall under the 20 business days timeline.

Thanks, good luck with that. I'll let you know when I receive my new passport as well. 

[puda 12]

On 2/28/2021 at 4:45 PM, cyyz2000 said:

Thanks, good luck with that. I'll let you know when I receive my new passport as well. 

Passport was delivered on Tuesday so they technically have until the end of the month to send them back. Will keep you posted.

[cyyz2000 24]

On 3/6/2021 at 1:17 PM, puda said:

Passport was delivered on Tuesday so they technically have until the end of the month to send them back. Will keep you posted.

Hey, just a quick update. I got my old passport back today, still waiting for my new one to arrive. It took around 9 business days from the day it was delivered so not too long. 

Edited March 10, 2021 by cyyz2000

[cyyz2000 24]

22 hours ago, cyyz2000 said:

Hey, just a quick update. I got my old passport back today, still waiting for my new one to arrive. It took around 9 business days from the day it was delivered so not too long. 

Update: Received my new passport today. Total time for renewal was 10 business days.

[puda 12]

Thanks for letting me know! Nothing yet for me. I also asked to get the old passport back. They didn't charge my credit card yet so I guess they didn't start processing my request! It's been 8 business days.

[cyyz2000 24]

On 3/13/2021 at 8:50 PM, puda said:

Thanks for letting me know! Nothing yet for me. I also asked to get the old passport back. They didn't charge my credit card yet so I guess they didn't start processing my request! It's been 8 business days.

No problem! Hopefully you get them back soon. I think renewal wait times are really low right now. 

[puda 12]

12 hours ago, cyyz2000 said:

No problem! Hopefully you get them back soon. I think renewal wait times are really low right now. 

 

They charged my cc this week so I guess it's coming   Question for you: do you have to provide a criminal record? I have been reading a couple posts on the forum and it seems that the process has changed for Canadians so wondering if you got yours and how?

[cyyz2000 24]

10 hours ago, puda said:

 

They charged my cc this week so I guess it's coming   Question for you: do you have to provide a criminal record? I have been reading a couple posts on the forum and it seems that the process has changed for Canadians so wondering if you got yours and how?

Awesome, looks like it should be on its way soon! 

 

As for the criminal record - yes, we got them done last year at this place called FrontierOne (https://www.f1fingerprint.ca/background-check). I'm not sure if you're based in the GTA, but I'm sure there's a lot of places that can do this. You can find more information here. Process was super easy and took around 40 minutes for 3 people. They essentially take your fingerprints and send a request to the RCMP. Just make sure that when you get them done, they should be requested under the "Privacy Act", as per USCIS' guidelines here (click on "Police, Court, Prison Records").

 

The actual criminal records took about 2 weeks to arrive in the mail. I believe they're only valid for 6 months. So that means we'll have to request them again for our interview. 

 

Edited March 19, 2021 by cyyz2000
Added some extra links