Will i be able to get into Canada with an expired passport? Will a Birth Certificate/Irish Passport be enough?

Question

I Have a Duel Citizenship with both Canada and Ireland. I am looking at returning back to Canada within the next few days to stay, but my Canadian passport expired in february. Will i be able to get into Canada with just an Irish Passport and Canadian Birth Certificate? Will the birth certificate and expired Canadian passport be enough to prove im a Canadian citizen? Will i have any problems? I need answers fast. I tried calling the Canadian Embassy in Dublin Ireland but they are not able to come to their phones for some reason. I just really need to know if i can do this and if i cant do it if there is some quick way to fix the problem in time.

Thank you your answers are greatly appreciatted.

Answer 1

You can travel on your Irish Passport but will need a visa which again you can obtain from the Canadian Consulate in Ireland. Or alternatively you can apply to them for a Canadian passport.. because yours is expired I doubt they will give you an Emergency one but they certainly won't let you in on an expired passport with a birth certificate, even though it shows you are Canadian.. you will need the correct documentation.

I think the best advice I can give you is to keep trying the consulate. Alternatively, try the travel agent as they may have experience in this field.

Answer 2

What's to stop you travelling on the Irish passport and renewing the Canadian one when you get there?

Or you could make enquiries here-

Migration Expert - Canada

110 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 703

Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2Y1

Canada

Tel: [phone]

Answer 3

steveN is wrong about Ireland being part of the United Kingdom.Can you not delay going back till you have renewed your passport?My daughter in law is Canadian and hers expired while she was living over here but it didn't take long to get  renewed

Answer 4

If the airline will allow you to take an international flight using an expired passport, then I would not expect Canada Customs to complain about you. You have the Canadian passport that shows it expired in February, and you have your Canadian birth certificate.

You do NOT need a visa as someone else suggested, since Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, which is exempt from needing a visa to enter Canada, since we were formerly part of the British Commonwealth.

If the airline allows you on, you should be fine. On the other hand, if the airline does NOT let you reserve a ticket or board due to the expired passport, you have one of two choices:

1) Fly using your Irish passport, and use that at all times until you get into Canada, then renew the Canadian one while you are here at any passport office. Do NOT show both passports at the customs office or at airport security checkpoints or this will slow you down tremendously. The only time to show the expired Canadian passport is when you ask at the airline counter if you can fly using that one. The only other time is if the security questions why you have a Canadian birth certificate but are flying with an Irish passport. If they ask to see it, you then need to show them.

2) Contact the Canadian Consulate in Ireland and arrange to get a replacement passport or a special form that states your status as a Canadian citizen.

Answer 5

Call your Canadian Embassy in Dublin they will direct you how to proceed . Good luck and have a great day

Answer 6

You don't need a visa, but I would come in with both passports and explain to the agent. Bring the birth certificate as well.

Generally even though you are a dual citizen, the US and Canada like for you to use theirs when coming back into the country.

Also check the Canadian Embassy website - shame on them for not answering their phones.

Answer 7

I would have thought you could use your Irish passport if it is still valid. www.ukpa.gov.uk is the passport office website have a look there they might be able to help x