Travellers requiring a Canadian passport will soon be able to get them in Prince George.
The federal government will open its Prince George passport office on Tuesday, April 25.
Staff at the Service Canada building at 1363 Fourth Ave., will provide 10-day passport processing service and a pick-up option. The office will be open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
"A few months ago, I committed that Prince George would be the next city on our list to receive 10-day in-person passport services. Now, that time has come,” said Karina Gould, Minister for Families, Children and Social Development, in an email sent Tuesday to the Citizen.
“This is great news for the people of Prince George and northern British Columbia, who will now have easier access to enhanced passport service. We've been working hard to get everything ready for the opening date, and I'm pleased to say you will have access to a passport office within reasonable distance of your home.”
Until April 25, Kelowna is the closest B.C. city to offer passport services. Other B.C. offices are in Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey and Victoria.
The cost of a passport for applicants aged 16 and older is $120 (five-year) or $160 (10-year). For children up to age 15 it costs $57.
If you choose to pick it up in person at the Prince George office, there is an additional $20 cost. Otherwise, it will be mailed at no additional cost.
Those who require urgent or express passport pick-up service (by the end of the next business day) will still be required to go to the Vancouver office to obtain their travel document.
Urgent pick-up applicants are required to pay an additional $120 pick-up fee and show proof of travel. Express pick-up applicants have to pay an extra $50 for pick-up within two to nine business days.
