Passport office makes it easier for waiting travellers

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This article was published 23/03/2022 (1010 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Officials at the downtown Winnipeg passport office, which has been swamped with people seeking last-minute renewals ahead of spring break, have made it a tad easier for travellers.

On Thursday morning, people were allowed to wait in their cars instead of standing in a lineup for hours outside the office at 433 Main St. Anyone who wasn’t able to book an online appointment is required to wait for a walk-in opening, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jaime French arrived at 9:30 a.m. and was given a number.

“It’s urgent, we’re leaving Saturday, and I just realized my kid’s passport was expired,” she said.

A security guard advised her to stay close by because if her number was called and she didn’t respond within five minutes, she would lose her chance.

Across the country, people are scrambling to get their passports renewed, a task that was easy to ignore during the pandemic when travel was restricted. Currently, there is a backlog in processing renewals.

Service Canada has experienced a spike in applications across the country, a spokesperson told the Free Press.

“Over the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the volume of passport applications was relatively low, in part due to a reduction in travel following the imposition of public health restrictions and travel advisories,” a Service Canada spokesperson told the Free Press this week.

“With the easing of restrictions and the resumption of travel, Service Canada has experienced an increase in passport applications across the country.”

On Thursday, a security guard at the office said anyone who isn’t travelling within 25 days was turned away and told to book an online appointment.

Outside the office, most parked cars with people waiting inside were in line for the passport office. All had trips booked in the coming days.

While more convenient than having to stand for hours outside, the wait times were just as long. As of 11 a.m., there was the possibility some would not be able to get their passport renewed before the office closed for the day.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca