明报/根据联邦政府的护照担保人新例，从10月1日起，大多数在加拿大及美国居住、持有加拿大护照的成年人，都有资格为护照申请人担保，合资格的担保人也可以为家人和同屋居住的人担保。
根据新例，护照担保人必须符合下述条件：
＊18岁或18岁以上的加拿大公民；
＊持5年有效加拿大护照；如果护照已失效，过期不得超过1年；
＊个人申请护照时，至少16岁，或是超过16岁；
＊认识申请人至少两年；
护照担保人满足以上条件，可为家人或同住1个地址的人担保。
根据新例，护照申请人须从www.passportcanada.gc.ca网站下载申请表格，或到加拿大护照局(Passport Canada)办公室、加拿大服务中心(Service Canada Centre)或加拿大邮务公司(Canada Post)办公室领取新的护照申请表填写。
护照局鼓励申请人浏览www.passportcanada.gc.ca网站，或致电1-800-567-6868，了解更多详情。
护照局提醒加国公民，到美国旅行，应注意验证规则。在2008年夏季前，旅客循陆路或水路进入美国，毋需携带护照过境。从2007年1月23日起，加拿大人乘飞机前往美国或在美国转机，都要出示有效的护照，或在指定机场使用芳邻卡(NEXUS)过境。
New Guarantor Policy in EffectOctober 1, 2007
Gatineau, Quebec – The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs today announced a new guarantor policy for Canadian passports. This new policy allows most Canadian adult passport holders residing in Canada or the U.S. to act as guarantors for passport applications. Today’s announcement is the next step in the continued efforts by Canada’s New Government to improve passport services.
“Canada’s New Government is taking positive action to improve passport services for Canadians. And unlike the previous government, we are delivering results. In only a few months, we have increased Passport Canada’s capacity by 40%, we have launched the simplified passport renewal process and we are announcing today the new guarantor policy,” said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Under the new policy effective today, an eligible guarantor must:
-Be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older;
-Hold a five-year Canadian passport that is valid or has been expired for no more than one year;
-Have been 16 years of age or older when they applied for their own passport; and
-Have known the applicant personally for at least two years.
-Demand for Canadian passports has more than doubled over less than a decade. In 1999-2000, Passport Canada issued 1.7 million passports. In 2006-2007, it issued 3.6 million passports and this fiscal year, the figure is expected to reach more than four million.
Now, any family member as well as any individual residing at the applicant’s address may act as guarantor, provided he or she meets the requirements noted above. To simplify the verification of guarantor eligibility, Passport Canada will use its own database, thereby increasing the security and efficiency of the process.
For more information on travel documentation required for travel to the United States and upcoming changes due to the U.S. Western Hemispheric Travel Initiative, please visit: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/agency/whti-ivho/menu-e.html.
Media Enquiries:
(819) 934-3837
Public Enquiries:
1 800 567-6868
