How to Renew Your Vietnamese Passport in Canada

War, political oppression, and poverty are the initial reasons why Vietnamese braved the high seas in makeshift boats that were threatened to capsize at any moment, thus earning them the name “boat people” when they arrived at the shores of Canada in the mid-1970s to early 1980s. The total number of Vietnamese refugees that arrived in Canada from 1979 to 1980 was around 60,000.

More than three decades after, in the 2016 Census of population, 240,615 people were of Vietnamese origin. They lived primarily in urban centers in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec. With over 166,000 Canadians considering Vietnamese as their mother tongue, it is among the top 20 immigrant languages in Canada. Today, Vietnamese are among the diligent workers in Canada with varying professions.

Are you one of the many Vietnamese passport holders in Canada whose passport is nearing expiration? Here is a compilation of simple, easy-to-understand ways you can follow when renewing your Vietnamese Passport from Canada to avoid breaking any rules. Remember that these tips are based on the outlined procedures of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canada.

5 Steps in Renewing Your Vietnamese Passport from Canada

1. Fill out necessary online forms.

Go to the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canada’s Vietnamese passport application page to download the Application form, which is in Vietnamese. Adults should be the ones to fill in their application forms. For child passport holders who need to renew their Vietnamese passports, parents can sign the form on behalf of their kids. Ensure that all information provided is correct before submitting them to avoid any problems along the way.

2. Prepare your original Vietnamese passport.

You can only renew your Vietnamese passport if it expires within 6 months. If your passport’s validity is still beyond six months, you can wait a little longer before applying for renewal.

3. Prepare your passport-sized pictures.

To renew your passport without hassle, make sure to submit two passport-sized pictures. These will be used in your renewed passport.

4. Prepare a copy of your Canadian resident document.

Your Canadian resident document may include your passport, PR card, Citizenship, study permit, or work permit. Photocopy at least one of these documents and get it notarized and authenticated.

The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canada has provided a sample picture of an authenticated notarized copy of a Canadian resident document so you can compare it with your notarized and authenticated copy before submitting it. You may also request supporting services for notarization and authentication from the Embassy.

5. Pay your fees.

You can pay for your Vietnamese passport renewal by bank draft, money order, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard are the ones only accepted).

if you are paying your passport renewal fees using your credit card, download the credit charge form on the Embassy's website. On the form, write the name of the applicant, the credit card’s cardholder's name, your credit card’s number, its expiry date, and identification numbers. Note that 3 percent of the total amount will be automatically added to your credit card transaction fee.

You can also choose between Premium (1 business day) and Standard (5 to 7 business days) for the duration of your Vietnamese passport renewal.

They also offer shipping services by FedEx and Canada Post. This is for when you want your submitted documents be returned to you via mail. If you prefer to do this, make sure to provide the recipient's full name, the complete mailing address with postal code, and their contact number. FedEx will ship your documents the following day for $40 per package. If you prefer Canada Post, they charge $25 per package but for a delayed delivery time.

Also, read - How to Move to Canada 2021

Additional step to take if you’re renewing an expired Vietnamese passport:

• Prepare a copy of the Vietnamese birth certificate.

• Photocopy your Vietnamese birth certificate and have it notarized. Please include it in the documents you’ll submit to renew your passport.

  Recap:

• As a summary, here are the items you need to prepare before going to the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canada to renew your Vietnamese passport:

  -Passport renewal application form

• An original Vietnamese passport (expiring within 6 months)

• Two (2) pieces of recent passport-sized photos

• Notarized and authenticated copy of your Canadian resident document

• Signed Credit Card Charge form (if you’re paying for the renewal via credit card)

• Notarized copy of your Vietnamese birth certificate (if you’re renewing an expired Vietnamese passport)

  Whether you plan to submit your application documents at the Embassy or send it via mail to the Embassy is up to you. If you live far from the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canada, the mailing address and telephone number are required so that FedEx can ship them back to you.

If your circumstance allows you to visit the Embassy to submit your application personally, here are walk-in hours of the Consular services:

Mondays: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Wednesdays and Fridays: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:45 PM to 4:30 PM

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Canada

Address: 55 Mackay Street, Ottawa, ON K1M 2B2

Tel: 613-236-0772

Emails: [email protected]

[email protected] (for Visa and Consular Services only)

Your renewed Vietnamese passport will be valid for 10 years. However, if the passport holder is under 14, the passport validity is only for 5 years.

You may consult with the Embassy’s Passport section for further assistance at 613-236-0772 (ext. 228).

If you need to send money to vietnam - sign up for remitbee