Applying for Canadian Passport
by Mark in CubaApplying for Canadian passport is one of those things that is often compared to pulling teeth at the dentist. There are countless stories circling about how much hassle it was for everyone to get a passport in Canada. I went into it same feelings, thinking how much hassle it was going to be and if I’m gonna get a passport at all, blah blah. As it turned out, it’s not that bad at all. As a matter of fact, from my experience, applying for Canadian passport is a simple, hassle free procedure that goes very smoothly from start to end. Of course they need to adhere to certain domestic and international standards. It is in our best interest that only right people are issue passports so it is not abused. I truly think the application process is fair and adequate to the importance of the document.
Applying for Canadian Passport is Easy and Pain Free. I Got Mine Within a Week with Zero Trouble
What I did to apply for passport:
Simple:
1) Download Passport Application – I’m a computer guy, so I downloaded the form from Passport Canada website as it’s easier and more convenient that picking one up from the post office. I filled the application up, which was not difficult at all – it just asks you a bunch of questions you know, so you fill it in and you’re done.
2) Get Passport Picture Taken – I just went to London Drugs to get my pic taken. You can’t smile in it so it looks like the most miserable mugshot of all time, but everybody has a pic like that in their passport, so I didn’t care. It doesn’t cost that much either.
3) Get a Guarantor – you need a guarantor to warrant Passport Canada that they have known you for at least 2 years and that it is really you who applies for passport. I had asked my supervisor at work who was kind enough (and crazy enough – or both) to do it.
4) Submit Your Application – I took a few hours off work thinking I should get to the Passport Office early enough so I can get it submitted the same day. Rumors have it that there are insane line ups for the Passports and many people don’t even get a chance to submit their application cause they are at the end of line. Mailing applications in allegedly takes weeks upon weeks and could be way longer if they reject your application, hence going in person can speed it up. I found it all be different from what rumors suggest.
I got to Canada Place downtown Edmonton, I’d asked where Passport Office was, walked right in to see that they have large number of agents who serve the office so even though few people walked in before me, we all went right to the available agents who were plentiful there. There is a pre-check agent first, who take a look at your application to make sure that it’s filled up properly, checks that you have required pictures and documents proving your identity. This pre-check take a grand total of 20 seconds. After that the agent assigns you a number and you’re supposed to wait until your number shows on the screen so you know that it’s your turn to go to actual agent who processes your application.
I picked up my number, I looked at the screen and my number immediately showed up along with the number of the counter I was supposed to go to. The agent was very nice and pleasant, there was no feeling of getting my teeth pulled. He asked me how soon I needed my passport. I said I’d love to have it in two weeks. He said they were caught up and it should be there within 2 weeks.
I was out of the Passport Office within 5 minutes. Absolutely pain free, smooth process. They have enough people there and entire process is streamlined to the point that it makes for a very smooth operation. I could not believe how easy and pain free it was. I just kept wondering what the hell do those people who say it’s slow and lots of problems talk about. Fill up your damn application properly and have all documents ready. What do you think is gonna happen if you don’t bring half of required stuff? Of course they’re gonna send you home to come back when you get your act together. On the other hand – come ready and you’ll be done within minutes.
I expected the worst, but it turned out very pleasant. But it wasn’t all. Six days later I go to pick up my mail and there was a notice I had mail that required signature. I signed for it and got an envelope with – you guessed it… My Passport. Yes, the agent told me they were caught up and there were no delays, but I did not expect it this soon.
To conclude- application for Canadian passport is a quick, easy and pain free process. Just don’t screw around and you’ll see how simple it gets. Get yours now, it’s good for 10 years. Once you have it, you’re set.
So now I had passport – obvious next step was to find a trip to Cuba I should buy.
