The Canadian passport has been completely redesigned with new security features to keep travellers’ identities safe. The federal government says the new Canadian passport showcases the country’s natural beauty and wildlife, while also incorporating state-of-the-art security features.
Front & Back Cover
Canada’s new passport has been unveiled by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, along with the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
The redesign includes state-of-the-art security features that aim to prevent counterfeiting. The redesign project began in 2013 as a part of a regular process to update security features and design techniques.
The new passport has a redesigned the cover, updated the visa pages to showcase Canada’s natural beauty and added images of Canada’s people, landscapes and wildlife that only appear in ultraviolet light.
The cover also has metallic foils shaped like a maple leaf, and the back cover is debossed with the same symbol.
The personal information page is shown, which features maple leaves and other security features/Credit: Govt. of Canada.
The inside of the front cover and first page are shown, featuring a deer, maple leaves, and snowflakes./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
The message on the first page has been changed from “in the name of Her Majesty the Queen” to “in the name of His Majesty the King” to reflect the royal transition.
The federal government says travellers can feel confident in their ability to cross borders safely and efficiently with the new passport design.
New Passport Video:
Old Passport Video:
Other security features include updated tamper-proof data pages, colour-shifting ink, and a visible passport chip and antenna to confirm the passport’s validity. The polycarbonate page with personal information is laser-engraved and is less likely to be damaged by water.
The visa pages now feature seasonal art that changes when viewed under ultraviolet light.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show bears in a forest in spring./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show bears in a forest in spring. Ultraviolet light changes the colours and reveals security features./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show owls and children playing in winter./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show owls and children playing in winter. Ultraviolet light changes the colours and reveals security features./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show children swimming and people paddling a canoe in summer./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show children swimming and people paddling a canoe in summer. Ultraviolet light changes the colours and reveals security features./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show children on a farm in fall./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Blank visa pages in the new passport that show children on a farm in fall. Ultraviolet light changes the colours and reveals security features./Credit: Govt. of Canada.
Per the news release, depending on when a passport application is submitted, a traveller may receive either the new or the old version. However, both versions are secure and reliable, so there is no need to renew early to ensure acceptance as a travel document.