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Canada Eases Passport Application Rules Re: Guarantors |
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 13 June 2007 |
In response to the continuing backlog of new passport applications in Canada, Passport Canada has relaxed their previously stringent rules regarding their guarantor policy.
As of October 1, 2007 Canada will no longer require applicants to provide a guarantor who is a member of the professional sector. As it stands now, Canadian passport applicants are required to supply a guarantor signature from a professional sector that includes doctors, lawyers or politicians. Guarantors are persons who will vouch for the applicant if necessary.
In October, Passport Canada will allow current Canadian adult passport holders to act as guarantors for first time applicants.
Under the new policy, the following criterion must be met in order to qualify as a guarantor - The passport holder:
--Must hold a valid five-year Canadian passport or a passport that has been expired for no more than one year
--May be a family member
--May reside at the same address as the applicant
--Must have known the applicant for at least two years
--Must be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older and must have been 16 years of age or older when they applied for their own passport. |
