ePassport

Canada's new enhanced ePassport will be available to all Canadians as of July 1, 2013. At that time, adult applicants will have the option of a 5- or 10-year ePassport for both first-time applications and renewals, while children's ePassports will be issued for a maximum of 5 years.

Considered to be the gold standard of travel documents, ePassports contain an electronic chip that enhances the passport's current security features. In compliance with the recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization, over 100 countries, including the United States, France and the United Kingdom, are already issuing ePassports.