Just Got Invited to a "New Citizenship-to-Passport Initiative Pilot Program" By IRCC

[Underhill]

Late March applicant here with a virtual oath ceremony scheduled for August 19th. I just got an email from IRCC inviting me to a new pilot program that seems aimed at speeding up the passport application process. It allows me to submit (via a private portal link) my passport application even before my citizenship process is completed. Seems to imply that the passport application will be fully processed now, and will be mailed once the signed oath certificate is received by IRCC.

I have no immediate international travel plans and have made no requests for a faster Passport application process, so this invite came out of the blue. Still yet, I'm applying now

Anyone else here get an invite to this new program?

As an aside, in spite of receiving my oath invite, my application tracker still shows only BG completed (I am Language & Test exempt). There's a big notice at the top of the details page with the oath invite details, but all the other stuff still shows as in progress. Looks like the tracker isn't always reflective of the actual status of an application.

 

[forw.jane]

Late March applicant here with a virtual oath ceremony scheduled for August 19th. I just got an email from IRCC inviting me to a new pilot program that seems aimed at speeding up the passport application process. It allows me to submit (via a private portal link) my passport application even before my citizenship process is completed. Seems to imply that the passport application will be fully processed now, and will be mailed once the signed oath certificate is received by IRCC.

I have no immediate international travel plans and have made no requests for a faster Passport application process, so this invite came out of the blue. Still yet, I'm applying now

Anyone else here get an invite to this new program?

As an aside, in spite of receiving my oath invite, my application tracker still shows only BG completed (I am Language & Test exempt). There's a big notice at the top of the details page with the oath invite details, but all the other stuff still shows as in progress. Looks like the tracker isn't always reflective of the actual status of an application.

It actually not that fast as the normal one is considerably fast too. One advantage I heard is you don't need a guarantor or reference with this new process.

 

[Underhill]

It actually not that fast as the normal one is considerably fast too. One advantage I heard is you don't need a guarantor or reference with this new process.

I can confirm that with this program I don't need a guarantor, but I still require two references. I guess one speed advantage might be that they're processing my passport application now - a week+ before I have my certificate of citizenship in-hand. We'll see.

 

[novemberrain]

That's very nice haha!

Do you know how long this program will run for?!

 

[Underhill]

That's very nice haha!

Do you know how long this program will run for?!

No clue as to how long this pilot program will run for. In fact I didn't even know it existed until I was invited.

Judging by the low response I got here I'm guessing the pilot program is very small.

 

[immietc]

Late March applicant here with a virtual oath ceremony scheduled for August 19th. I just got an email from IRCC inviting me to a new pilot program that seems aimed at speeding up the passport application process. It allows me to submit (via a private portal link) my passport application even before my citizenship process is completed. Seems to imply that the passport application will be fully processed now, and will be mailed once the signed oath certificate is received by IRCC.

I have no immediate international travel plans and have made no requests for a faster Passport application process, so this invite came out of the blue. Still yet, I'm applying now

Anyone else here get an invite to this new program?

As an aside, in spite of receiving my oath invite, my application tracker still shows only BG completed (I am Language & Test exempt). There's a big notice at the top of the details page with the oath invite details, but all the other stuff still shows as in progress. Looks like the tracker isn't always reflective of the actual status of an application.

Hi, it is worse, we applied through this pilot program for the passport application as soon as became citizen, July 25th, Didn't receive any confirmation nor acknowledgement from them whether they received application or not. Few days back they sent email that some information was missing, that's how we found out that they received application.

After replying to the email, no acknowledgement neither no response on Canada Post Connect(their portal for submitting passport).

I would recommend to not go through this option, this may further delay the process.

Anyways, if you already applied then let us know how's the process for you.

BTW this is full timeline

Application Type: Online
Location: Vancouver, BC.
Physical Presence: 1295
No of Applicants: Single
Application submitted: January 30, 2025
AOR: Feb 14, 2025
Background verification completed on tracker: March 4, 2025
Test invite received: March 11, 2025
Test given: March 16, 2025
Test status changed to completed: March 25, 2025
LPP changed to completed: June 25, 2025
Became citizen on: July 24, 2025

 

[Underhill]

Hi, it is worse, we applied through this pilot program for the passport application as soon as became citizen, July 25th, Didn't receive any confirmation nor acknowledgement from them whether they received application or not. Few days back they sent email that some information was missing, that's how we found out that they received application.

After replying to the email, no acknowledgement neither no response on Canada Post Connect(their portal for submitting passport).

I would recommend to not go through this option, this may further delay the process.

Anyways, if you already applied then let us know how's the process for you.

BTW this is full timeline

Application Type: Online
Location: Vancouver, BC.
Physical Presence: 1295
No of Applicants: Single
Application submitted: January 30, 2025
AOR: Feb 14, 2025
Background verification completed on tracker: March 4, 2025
Test invite received: March 11, 2025
Test given: March 16, 2025
Test status changed to completed: March 25, 2025
LPP changed to completed: June 25, 2025
Became citizen on: July 24, 2025

Hi. Well, I applied for my passport through this program. And so far your take on it is tracking. I haven't been asked for additional docs or info, but it has been a black hole. Absolutely no way of knowing if my application has even been seen. It's only been around a week, so at this point silence isn't a red flag. But time will tell.

Thanks for the additional information. I absolutely will post back here if anything moves on this, or - after a while - if it doesn't.

 

[armoured]

It's only been around a week, so at this point silence isn't a red flag. But time will tell.

As far as I'm aware a week of silence for the regular passport program is normal, too. Seems expectations went from "hope I get my passport in a couple months" to "what, it's been 24 hours and no confirmation it's been printed yet" very quickly.

 

[Underhill]

As far as I'm aware a week of silence for the regular passport program is normal, too. Seems expectations went from "hope I get my passport in a couple months" to "what, it's been 24 hours and no confirmation it's been printed yet" very quickly.

This pilot program stated very clearly that this wasn't a 'rush' application process, and to expect normal processing times. Its advantage is that I could apply even before I was a citizen, which implies it could be completed and delivered a little sooner. I'm not in a rush for my Canadian passport, so this a normal processing time is fine.

As an aside, the PDF passport application they originally sent me was broken and couldn't be filled out or printed in any way. This was a special application with specific fields just for this pilot program. I emailed them (via regular email - not the Canada Post Connect portal) to let them know their application was broken, and they promptly replied with a fixed application. So that was good.

Oh, also, when I was on my virtual Oath Ceremony, still waiting in the lobby, I was broken out into a group just for the people invited to this pilot program. Of the 201 people at this ceremony there were only four of us in this pilot program group. So still a very small program.

I'm in no rush for my new Canadian passport, so a regular processing time is fine. My only (very slight) concern is that this program is so new and tiny my application could be black-holed and lost to time. I'll report back when something happens.

 

[armoured]

Of the 201 people at this ceremony there were only four of us in this pilot program group. So still a very small program.

I'm in no rush for my new Canadian passport, so a regular processing time is fine. My only (very slight) concern is that this program is so new and tiny my application could be black-holed and lost to time. I'll report back when something happens.

Yep, there've only been a handful of reports here on experiences. Your approach is right: if you're not in a rush and you're not going to stress. It does save having to get the guarantor to sign, and a few other bits simplified (online, after all).

Anyone freaking out about time to get the passport should NOT be using it.

That said: the other experiences I've seen here have all been positive - easier, and pretty fast.

 

[deshu]

Feb 2025 applicant here. I applied my passport through this program.
And I'd like to share my experience.

Received the Passport to Citizenship Initiative Pilot invitation : July 29, 2025
Requested Connect link : July 31, 2025
Received Connect link : July 31, 2025 - a few hours later. I've seen some people wait for a few days - a week.
Applied via Connect : July 31, 2025
Oath ceremony (Vancouver - online) : August 7, 2025
Citizenship e-certificate received : August 8, 2025
Received acknowledgment (Canadapost Connect): August 21, 2025 - According to connect activity list, they opened my message on August 20.

No application number provided. I sent them an email to ask my application number on last Friday. This early morning they replied to me that:
"Your application number is XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Please note that there is no online tracking available for applications submitted through the pilot; however, I can confirm that your application has been processed, and your passport will be printed and mailed in the next 2-3 days."


Upon the ceremony, I was asked whether or not I'd like to apply for the pilot program then I was broken out into a group just for the people invited to this pilot program. There's about 90 people in the group, of 120 people in total. I think, now the program is open for more people. or, if the ceremony location is a rural area less people might decide to proceed because applicants can't use P.O. box as mailing address.

I think that the pilot program is not ideal for a person who prefer to check application status regulary.
No application number provided unless you ask, but even if you get an application number, no online tracking available as they stated.
No call centre available. As I read from other SNS group, IRCC contact centre can't support it and even Service Canada agents didn't know about it. I read some Mar-July 2025 posts that they haven't receive acknowledgment or any message but just receive their passports.

And I got a feeling that the pilot program is not faster than a regular process. I read some posts from people applied with or without the pilot program. It seems that both the pilot and regular 20-day process has similar timelines.

 

[armoured]

Feb 2025 applicant here. I applied my passport through this program.
And I'd like to share my experience.

Thanks, very useful.

or, if the ceremony location is a rural area less people might decide to proceed because applicants can't use P.O. box as mailing address.

I *thought* it was the case that Canada Post PO boxes - i.e. those in 'rural' areas - are supposed to be exempted from any such restrictions. Because they're 'official.' (And BTW they don't seem to be just 'rural' anymore, they're using them for a lot of new suburban development areas). I'm not arguing the point though, genuinely curious - this has been one of the long term fights about Canada Post and their cost-cutting approach, that customers shouldn't be disadvantaged this way.

I think that the pilot program is not ideal for a person who prefer to check application status regulary.
No application number provided unless you ask, but even if you get an application number, no online tracking available as they stated.
No call centre available. As I read from other SNS group, IRCC contact centre can't support it and even Service Canada agents didn't know about it. I read some Mar-July 2025 posts that they haven't receive acknowledgment or any message but just receive their passports.

And I got a feeling that the pilot program is not faster than a regular process. I read some posts from people applied with or without the pilot program. It seems that both the pilot and regular 20-day process has similar timelines.

My *guess* is that some of these issues are part of them now scaling up from the pilot program to 'full scale', and they haven't (for example) yet done the work to support the tracking process. (Side note: 'tracking' for what happens when they give it to Canada Post is an issue for regular passport office apps too, which is why some prefer the pick-up option).

It's also possible the first pilot applications were quicker (I recall seeing some that were faster), and now 'regular' timelines.

But your case is instructive: don't do it if you want certainty about timeframe, if you're in a big rush, or you're going to be nervous about not seeing tracking info. (When the time comes won't use it for a family member who has specific travel needs)

On the other hand, the advantages are clear: you don't need a guarantor, and you're submitting all from home / digitally, no trek to a passport office.

(And I believe it's still faster than just mailing your app in and service canada [non-passport office], but not certain about that)

 

[immietc]

Hi, it is worse, we applied through this pilot program for the passport application as soon as became citizen, July 25th, Didn't receive any confirmation nor acknowledgement from them whether they received application or not. Few days back they sent email that some information was missing, that's how we found out that they received application.

After replying to the email, no acknowledgement neither no response on Canada Post Connect(their portal for submitting passport).

I would recommend to not go through this option, this may further delay the process.

Anyways, if you already applied then let us know how's the process for you.

BTW this is full timeline

Application Type: Online
Location: Vancouver, BC.
Physical Presence: 1295
No of Applicants: Single
Application submitted: January 30, 2025
AOR: Feb 14, 2025
Background verification completed on tracker: March 4, 2025
Test invite received: March 11, 2025
Test given: March 16, 2025
Test status changed to completed: March 25, 2025
LPP changed to completed: June 25, 2025
Became citizen on: July 24, 2025

Finally received passport today .

We also received email today reply to our email we sent on Saturday August 23 mentioning they printed and sent passport on Aug 22nd.

Maybe we were impatient! So it is true like many people mentioned you need to have patience if you apply through this option.

 

[armoured]

Maybe we were impatient! So it is true like many people mentioned you need to have patience if you apply through this option.

I think one needs patience for all interactions with IRCC.

But yes, this one too.

 

[Underhill]

My postie just knocked on my door and said they had mail that required a signature. Had no idea what it was, but I signed and they handed me the envelope. It was my shiny new Canadian passport. So, just 15 days after my oath ceremony I got my passport. Almost wish I had some international travel coming up soon.

So, this pilot program can be pretty quick - even if you're not in a hurry to get your passport.

5 stars. Highly recommend this pilot program.