Stephane Lapensee and his daughter recently found themselves in an unexpected situation during their trip to the Netherlands. Their new Canadian passports, obtained just a few days prior, exhibited an unusual issue: the passport covers had inexplicably curled and deformed.
Describing the appearance, Lapensee likened it to something that had gone through a washing machine cycle. This unforeseen development left him puzzled and concerned about the integrity of the new passports.
“I never had any issue with the old passport before with this type of curling,” he remarked. “The old passport still remains quite sturdy and stiff.”
It turns out that the new Canadian passports have a vulnerability to heat and humidity due to their manufacturing process, which can lead to the curling of the passport covers, as explained by a spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in an email to CTVNews.ca.
The previous generation of Canadian passports had an additional protective layer within the cover to safeguard the electronic chip. However, in the new design, the electronic chip, composed of polycarbonate materials, is situated in the data page, making that part of the passport more robust while leaving the cover comparatively thinner and more susceptible to curling.
IRCC reassures that despite this cosmetic issue, the curling of the cover doesn’t compromise the passport’s functionality or durability, and it remains a valid travel document.
Lapensee, however, expresses reservations about the appearance of the passport, especially when representing Canada in his capacity at the European Space Agency. He believes that presenting a curled passport to officials or businesses is not ideal and somewhat embarrassing.
The redesigned Canadian passports, which generated attention when unveiled in May, are part of an international best practice of updating passports every five to ten years to enhance security features, according to IRCC and the Canadian Bank Note Company.
As of August 23, approximately 15,600 of these new-generation passports have been issued, with only three official complaints received regarding the cover’s curling.
Interestingly, similar issues with passport covers have surfaced in other countries, including Australia, following recent passport updates.
To mitigate damage to the passport cover, IRCC advises storing it securely, closed, in a cool and dry location, such as a filing cabinet, personal safe, or bank safety deposit box.
Australia, which faced analogous issues, recommends storing its passports in an envelope or passport holder when not in use or during travel, according to its official website.
Despite concerns, IRCC asserts that there are no plans to recall the new Canadian passports, as they meet functional requirements and standards, even if their appearance leaves something to be desired for travelers like Lapensee.