3 hours wait time for simple passport renewal so far and counting ... supervisor makes zero effort to improve process ... Intead convinces people to leave and not come back ... incompetence.ca read more

The horror stories that I heard and read online about hours for waiting in line around the blocks must have been a thing of the past during the pandemic. Granted my visit today was an in-person submission of a simplified adult renewal application. There was no line at the entrance to the office. I advised the 2 security guards the purpose of my visit. I was given a slip to complete my credit card information for the application fee. One of them then led me to a very short line for 1 window with only 2 people ahead of me. I had my form fully completed (but not signed yet), my photos and my current passport. When it was my turn, the clerk reviewed my form, had me signed the application form and another form with my picture pasted on, and told me my passport will be mailed in 2 weeks time so I should get it by registered in 2-5 business days from the day it is mailed. I asked about the pick up option. She told me it would not be any faster and there would be an extra charge of $20 so I opted for the mailing option. Including waiting for the 2 people ahead of me to be processed, I was in an out in 30 minutes. read more

My wife and I have renew our passports today. The agent CUFF has provided the excellent services, especially helping in adding her ENGLISH NAME in the new passport. We thank so much for his excellent service. Bill and Marion read more

Got my emergency passport here, it was a bit tense and rushed due to Covid 19, and there were a few misunderstandings in the beginning however they listened to me eventually and honoured my requests. I would recommend this branch for emergency passport applications by appointment, i've never actually interacted with any passport Canada offices before Covid 19. Three words to describe them at this office would be ; Friendly, hastily and Efficient. read more

Passport Canada - Passport & Visa Services Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Not impressed people !! My passport was valid for 10 years. I just got a new one in 2013, so you would think it would be easy to replace if it was damaged right ? Wrong ! My photo had some water damage ( which US customs pointed out to me on my way to Hawaii - lucky he let me in by showing my Drivers Licence) so when I was planning on my NYC Trip I had to get it replaced. It was like I had never even had a passport ! I had to start from scratch. New photos, form filled out as "new applicant" I had to get the guarantor signature on my photo from someone who had a valid passport, pay the full fee plus a missing / Lost fee. It was costly, time consuming, and the people at this location have as much personality as week old bread. Why did I pay extra money to keep it valid for 10 years if when it was damaged ( not lost or stolen ) it couldn't be duplicated from my old one ? Nobody could or would give me the answer. If you are coming to this location to pick up or drop off, be prepared to wait in a boring room filled with people who all look miserable. Bring something to entertain yourself and be prepared to wait. read more

I had to get an emergency passport today-- I have to say that between the security guards organising everyone into groups prior to the office even opening, and the efficiency of all of the other staff, it could not have gone more quickly or more smoothly. What a relief. read more

Pathetic service workers taking their own good time on the seat . So slow waiting here for 3hrs with kids and still only 2vor three people were attended and 9 to 10 counters are open. read more

Absolutely insane. They have processed six drop in appointments in almost four hours!!! FOUR HOURS!!!!! Arrived two hours before the office opened and still here...very obvious there is no rush to get people through. Shocking customer service. read more

I waited in line from 7 AM until it closed, and the next day had to wait in line again, finally deciding to leave and give up. Need it an emergency passport, first time handed papers in, they instructed me how to do it. But it was wrong. The way they told me. So I happily brought them the next morning, to find out that is not OK, and someone who seem like a manager came over and yelled at me, and was not very kind at all, and was angry at me. I have no idea why. I thought they were supposed to help you with paperwork. They did not help me at all. The second day.Over the phone I was told one thing, in person I was told another thing. There was too many hoops to jump through and I missed an important business conference.Also I had a baby in the lineup, and I was hungry and thirsty and couldn't leave. read more

I visited to have my passport renewed. I completed my forms beforehand and arrived with my photos. My visit is based on this. Reasonable wait time. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Straightforward process. Felt safe in the space. That's really all I can think to ask for in this passport renewal process. read more

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Pleasantly surprised despite the good reviews. I had visions of long line ups on a Friday afternoon, and waiting around until they closed and then having to come back another day - luckily for me it was NOT like that! I arrived just after 3 pm and was through the first line up in 3 minutes, and completely done & out if there by 3:35. Had to come back a second time for a different passport and was there at 3:53, and out by 4:25. Scary since they close at 4:30 pm, but impressive! Everyone I dealt with was pleasant and helpful. Kudos Passport Canada. read more

This review is about my experience renewing my passport, not about the passport office at Sinclair Center, because I've never set foot in the passport office except to pick up passport renewal forms. The last couple of times I've renewed my passport, the last time being a month and a half ago (my passport didn't expire until March 2018, but that's less than six months validity and I'm going to Burma in January), it was easy, and quick. I'm eligible for the simplified renewal, and boy, is it simple. Gone are the days of having to get your photos signed by a doctor (or other qualified person) who's known you for two years (which, in Vancouver, where there's a lack of family doctors, is nearly impossible, and what a ridiculous waste of time, and tax payers' money, to make a doctor's appointment just to have photos signed). All you have to do is fill out a form, have two passport photos stamped with the date they were taken, put down the names of two people who have known you for at least two years as your references (so if you have no friends, colleagues, neigbours, landlords, or family members, or any interaction with other human beings, well, you're out of luck), and mail the form, photos, payment (cheque or credit card info) along with your current passport (you get your old passport back as long as you check off the box on the form indicating you want it back). People always tell me to hand in my application in person at the passport office because it's "faster", but I'm pretty happy with the three week turnaround it takes to get my new passport when I just mail it in, and I'm not going to wait in line for hours to shave off a day or two; three weeks is pretty damn reasonable. read more

I like how you don't have to wait the whole day. Go sometime around after 9am during school day hours as you won't be waiting as long and not near lunch. I used to go to the one in Richmond but now with traffic I figured I give downtown another try. Just remember if you are applying for a child's first passport to bring the birth certificate that has both parents name. Also note to other readers when filling out the pdf form it doesn't work properly in chrome so you have to use Microsoft to get the scan code for the passport office to do your application faster. read more

This was a good visit. I went at 11:00 a.m. and the process took about an hour. I paid extra to pick up my passport in person. That second visit took about 5 minutes because there is a separate line up for passport pickup. Overall, this was a far easier process than what I thought it was going to be. read more

After getting married, I decided to change my last name on my government identification. The next document on my list was my passport. If you're changing your last name more than a year before your passport expires, you have to apply for a brand new passport, and you can't do it at a Service Canada location. According to the Passport Canada website, it takes around 20 business days to receive your passport if you mail in the application, or 10 business days if you drop it off at a Passport Canada office. I opted for the faster option. I highly recommend you fill out your application to completion before you get to the office. They have stacks of applications at the office, but the general passport application requires the signature of a guarantor. I watched some people in the office fill out their application, and they looked stressed out as they were calling people on their phone asking if they could use them as a reference. The Passport Canada office is located on the second floor of the Sinclair Center. Once you enter the building, there are clear signs pointing the way. I recommend taking the stairs, it is much faster. Once you enter the office, there are two lines and a huge waiting room. The line against the wall is for passport pick-up. The line just to the right of that is the application drop-off line. Now, you don't drop off your application here. The agent behind the desk checks over your application to ensure it is complete, puts everything in a giant plastic bag, and then gives you a number. Next, you sit down in the waiting area. There are 6 groups of numbers: A-F. I was put in the A group, but couldn't tell you what the letters mean. I was worried when I was put in the A group because they kept calling other letters. The guy behind me in the passport line was given a D number, and was called up at the same time as me, so don't look into the letter code too much. When a new number is called, you hear a high pitched whine and the number and assigned service desk flashes on the screen. There are other signs along the wall that show the last 3 numbers called along with their corresponding service desk. There are 12 service desks, with roughly 8 taking clients at any one time. Once your number is called, you go to the desk, where the agent notes that they have seen all of your government documents, cancels your current passport, and asks for payment. Since I was changing my last name, they also asked for my marriage license, so if you're in my boat make sure to bring that! They only take debit or credit card here, so be prepared! I think it's great that you get to keep your government documents if you drop your application off in person. After I paid, I received a receipt stating that I should have my passport in 10 business days. I arrived around 9 AM on a Tuesday morning, and I was out of the office by 10:20 AM. The first line where they check your application went pretty fast, but the wait after that was pretty lengthy. I found the line was getting significantly longer when I left, so I would recommend arriving around the time I did in order to miss both the initial morning rush and the lunch rush. Overall, dropping off my passport application wasn't as painful of a process as I thought. I'd definitely choose to drop my application off at this office again. read more

So FAST!! Holy smokes!! I did my renewal application (applied in the office at Sinclair Center downtown 6 buisness days ago and got it today in the mail. Also, the staff member who helped me was probably the nicest government employee I've had. Thanks so much. Very impressed. read more

Absurd wait and appalling service. On a fairly empty Wednesday afternoon around noon, a 22 window federal office is staffed by 4 officers. Four. California DMV is notorious for long waits but it is an example of efficiency compared to Canadian federal government's hospitality. After a 1.5 hour wait with merely about 30 individuals in the waiting area, the service agent denies our "one day urgent passport service" because I was not leaving Canada promptly enough (I am leaving in 4 days). So I cannot pay for a faster service? You won't accept my money for faster service? Pure Canadian socialist logic here. So now, I'd have to go back to the downtown office, on the day where my flight for the U.S. leaves, in order to obtain my passport. Just accept my money and let me get it in one business day. Come on civil servants. read more

Just renewed my passport and it was a relatively painless experience. I definitely recommend printing the application off at home, filling out all of your paperwork, getting your photos taken, and making sure you have credit or debit (they don't take cash) handy before you show up. Bonus tip: if you forget to get your photos taken, there's a place just across the hall inside the Sinclair Centre that does them for you :) The whole process took roughly an hour, so I definitely recommend you bring a book or something to preoccupy yourself so that you're not losing your mind while you wait. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and overall it was a-okay. read more

Loved this passport centre. Everyone was friendly and efficient. I received my passport exactly 7 days later, including the weekend days! read more

Oh the joys of the pain in the arse which is renewing your passport. I thought I would be smart and nip in to renew last week - I mean everyone seemed to have the week off so lines should be short right? Ahhh, what an eejit I am! The first office was deceptful, didn't realize I had to go to the "upstairs room." Then it being lunch, half their staff was on break which made the line crawl for a while. But here were my happy points: 1. Watching some obnoxious girl be chewed out for putting in her passport applications 10 business days prior to her date of travel and not wanted to pay the express fee. (I heard the employee delivering the chew out use the words "how dare you"). Awesome for a laugh! 2. Everyone I dealt with was super friendly and efficient! 3. I get confused. When finding my way to the upstairs "sit and wait to pay and hand in said renewal form" they had people directing. Yay! 4. There were at least 60 people in the room waiting when I walked in; but after everyone returned from their break it was super fast! 5. Seriously, the staff I dealt with were awesome! So, it took an hour, which I think was atypical and definately bad timing on my part. But they have those handy travel brouchers to read and pass the time. And super happy point - I adamantly wanted to keep my current passport (you know memories, has my visa in there for Ireland though it's invalid(, and the girl nullified it and returned it to me on the spot. So, I can't say I loved the experience of renewing, but they are definately doing a good job of doing their best. read more

Dealing with bureaucracy is hardly ever pleasant, but I have to say these guys were really nice. The wait times were reasonable, the people helping me were really nice. I had to come in a second time to hand in extra paperwork, and the lady actually recognized me and was happy I managed to get my missing paperwork in time. They were good about calling me on the phone when there was something wrong with the fax I sent them, and all in all I didn't have that scary feeling of talking to a robot phone service, or sending my documents down a black hole and having to wonder if they were received or not and just keeping my fingers crossed. It was a very positive experience. That said, I still have to wait and see if my passport arrives in time, but if not, I know I can go talk to an actual human being and that they'll be nice and help me out if something goes wrong. Thumbs up! read more

I'm from the States, and times like this (going to Passport Canada) I truly feel like I'm in a country with 10% of the population that I'm accustomed to. There are people here! And they talk to you! Politely! I've been to worse DMV's (Department of Motor Vehicles). Actually EVERY experience at a DMV has been worse than my few experiences at Passport Canada. Also, make sure you head to Hastings & Hornby - that pretty landscaped courtyard with the stairs- and get yourself to Mink Chocolates to grab the most delicious mocha you've ever experienced. Upon discovering Mink, I now consider a trip to Passport Canada at this location downright gifty by heading to Mink afterwards. Cheers to the Canadian government employees here - seriously - as an American I'm impressed they even smile sometimes. read more

Awesome service after I had a water damaged passport and under 7 working days before a booked trip abroad. Everyone was pleasant and the system is very efficient. Passport obtained in 3 working days. I did have to start from scratch but it really is quick and straight forward. I understand you need to start from scratch with a damaged one as it could be an indication of tampering. I am happy to jump through a few more hoops to maintain the integrity of the Canadian passport. Needless to say mine is in a double ziploc to protect it. Happy trails everyone! read more

Dec 17/12 Arriving with forms filled and passport photos in hand I was directed to one of two lines in a chair filled room of noisy people. A kind senior citizen in a security uniform directed me to the line where the curt woman had me place photos and two pages of the quick application. She highlighted places, inserted a number F353 put all in a large ziplock bag. It's 11:20am and their alphabetical number system shows F347 (and A015 and D667) about 30 minutes pass before the system directs my number to a kiosk. At the kiosk it's all business and wham bam thank you mam, the direct deposit "donation" of $97 (cost $10 extra to pick it up vs have it mailed and potentially get lost). Am promised it in the first week of January (which mean I won't make it in) so arriving on the following Monday (my dayoff) seems to work. Yay. Thank goodness this painful process helps eliminate needless wait times for the n prepared. Keep in mind they don't allow food or drink so don't plan to wait and have lunch/your coffee. Yay read more

Ah the dreaded passport office. It always creeps up on you and once you step in the door it feels like you never left. I went over there totally unprepared not having filled out the application beforehand which just means I spent way too much time on the phone calling references and old jobs asking for their postal code. Annoying. So here are my suggestions: 1- Fill out the forms BEFORE you go to the office 2- Fill out the simpler form if at all possible. Much faster and you don't need a guarantor to sign anything 3- Arrive between 10-11am. This way you avoid the initial early morning, pre-work lineups as well as the lunch rush. At the end of the day, once my application was complete, I probably only spent a total of an hour waiting. Not too bad. Everyone working there was very helpful although I didn't have any major problems or issues. I can't really give more than 3 stars though cause is any passport office worthy of more than that? If there is, I want to move to that country. Now that I think of it, a coffee cart outside would have been nice and god knows they would make a killing. Also, they could use more desk space for those of us ill prepared and having to fill things out on site. read more

Just had a pleasant, efficient experience here. I arrived and lined up at 7:20, we were let in at 7:30 and I was out the door by 8:00! The two men I saw at the kiosks were very nice and very clear about the process. Apparently it gets crazy busy in the afternoons, just go in the morning.. Totally worth waking up early! read more

30 minutes in and out. The actual time in front of the agent was less than 5 minutes. Kind, efficient service. Not sure when the best times for lineups were- we just showed up at 2:30 on a Wednesday. I think it really helps to have all your i's dotted and t's crossed ahead of time. We had our forms filled out perfectly and pictures ready. It was recommended we pay with credit card so that we didn't have to do another lineup to pay with debit. Perfect transaction! Now we wait for the passports which will be sent registered mail within 2 weeks. What more could we ask for?? read more

There was a really friendly great guy the first time I went in, the second time there were two miserable chicks that were, rude, condescending and told white lies out of laziness which I later confirmed to be false. Such a rude experience that I left questioning humanity but band-aided it with a bottle of rose at the Four Seasons which is stellar. If you have to get your passport, you may need a bottle of wine after getting your ass kicked by these surly staff read more

Horrible passport experience. I paid for 2 hours parking thinking that was about right. After waiting in the 45 minute initial line, one officer was saying it's about an hour wait for them to call your number. My officer said it was a two hour wait. I asked her why the other officer was saying 1 hour and she said "She's wrong it's two, I just checked" then smugly said "I guess you'll be paying more parking". I ran out to add to my parking and missed my number and had wait all over again in both areas. Needless to say I didn't need to pay for more parking or waste over another hour. read more

THANK YOU EVERYONE AT THE PASSPORT OFFICE 3 business hours before my international flight I realized my passport was expired. A MIRACLE occurred the office processed my rush claim in 2 hours!!!! I walked out with a passport before there 4:30 closing. I still cant believe how lucky I am! I was crying in relief as I left. Everyone was efficient and helpful. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! read more

Okay, but long lines, and they don't accept CAD currency (yep, an office of the Canadian government doesn't accept Canadian cash). It is no longer possible to add pages overseas but on the plus side I was able to get a temporary passport once (damaged mine in a boat sinking). Americans get longer validity passports than Canadians and people in Communist countries have to jump through hoops. So, we are somewhere in between. I have been to this office several times and find the waits barely acceptable. On the plus side there is a seller of instant photos in the same building. Is the Surrey office any faster or better? I don't know. read more

So i have a huge emergency with my i.ds and the lady i was dealing with kept telling me that there is nothing they can do about me having lost my passport. She kept saying its your fault for loosing it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! WHO TALKS TO SOMEONE LIKE THAT!!! read more

The passport office has moved to the Sinclair Wellness Centre, 757 Hastings Street West #200. There are signs directing you to the passport office. If you have all your paperwork ready its a breeze. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I got there around 1020am and I was out around 1050am. I also received my new passport within 2 weeks, super fast process! read more

I went to renew my passport (love the simplified process) at lunchtime yesterday, prepared to wait patiently. First a lovely security guy downstairs asked what I was looking for and then pointed me to the right elevator. I checked in and was directed to the renewals and pick-up line. From getting into the line and being all done took exactly eight minutes. Wow! (For that, I won't even complain about having to pay $10 extra to pick up my passport instead of having it mailed.) It does help to have all forms completed and photos and expired passport ready. It turned out that I didn't even need one of the forms. read more

They have been efficient in getting my passport application completed for travel, however, their wait time system needs improving and more efficiency. Annoyed that they don't allow you to eat lunch since you're waiting there for 2 hours. The staff always act as though they have a stick up their a$$, however, that is government workers for you. read more

EXTREMELY RUDE STAFF: 2 of the staff (CLIFF AND CYNTHIA) at the Sinclair passport office were extremely rude to me because of a simple error I made on my child's application form.. cliff went as far as ripping the application from with anger in front of me. Things could've been handled much differently for such a simple mistake .. they completely treated me like an animal. Terrible customer service from the both of them. read more

I've been to this passport office many times over the last 10 years. I usually don't like to interact with government agencies, but the staff is always great and take time to explain, even if they speak fast. They don't drag their feet and gives you options for what you need. They are in problem solving mode. read more

Rude staff. Ticket dispenser was broken and stressed everybody out. If you can mail in your renewal just do that instead and save yourself from an hour with these people. read more

I was amazed at the efficiency with which my passport was processed. I'm travelling to the states in three weeks, and I was concerned I wouldn't have my passport back in time. I went in to the Vancouver Passport Office at 7.15am on Friday, January 6 hoping to avoid a long line. I was about 10th in line for opening at 7.30. Though the attendants were a bit brusque, and the directions weren't exactly clear as to which line to wait in and what to expect next, I was processed in no more than 15 minutes. Granted, I did have the simplified renewal form complete and all my documents in order, and appropriate pictures. I received my new passport Friday, January 13; one week later! Between them and Canada Post, it's nice to be able to say for once that I was amazed at the efficiency of government services! Kudos! read more

They have sure streamlined this process in the past few years! I was in and out of this office in about 45 mins total, the three staff members I dealt with were all friendly and helpful. Well done. read more