From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- 1. About the process
- 2. Who can apply
- 3. Before you apply
- 4. How to apply
- 5. After you apply
A permanent resident (PR) card proves you’re a permanent resident when you return to Canada from another country. Before you apply, make sure you’re eligible.
If you want to leave Canada
Make sure you have your valid permanent resident (PR) card. You’ll need it to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat.
- Renew your PR card before leaving Canada.
- If you need your application processed urgently, check and see if you qualify.
Even if you qualify for urgent processing, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get your PR card on time. We can’t process PR card applications in less than 3 weeks.
New permanent residents
New permanent residents don’t need to apply for a permanent resident card (PR card). We will send one to you when you immigrate to Canada if you tell us your Canadian mailing address. You have 180 days after immigrating to send it to us. If we don’t get it in time, then you have to apply for your card. There is a $50 processing fee for PR card applications.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a PR card, you need to:
- be a permanent resident, and
- submit your application in Canada.
If your PR card isn’t ready before you leave Canada or if you’re outside Canada without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). After you return to Canada, apply for a PR card.
You should only apply for a PR card if:
- your card has expired or will expire in less than 9 months
- your card is lost, stolen, or destroyed
- you didn’t receive your card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada
- you need to update your card to:
- legally change your name
- change your citizenship
- change your gender designation
- correct your date of birth
Otherwise, we may not process your application.
You aren’t eligible for a PR card if you were asked by the Government of Canada to leave the country. If you are a Canadian citizen, you can’t have (and don’t need) a PR card. If you become a Canadian citizen, give us your PR card at your citizenship ceremony.
Time lived in Canada
To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time abroad may count towards the 730 days.
To help you track your time in Canada, use a travel journal. Other ways to know how long you’ve been in Canada:
- Ask a Canadian border officer when you enter Canada.
- Apply for or renew your PR card. We will tell you if you’re eligible.
Before you apply
A permanent resident card (PR card) is usually issued for five years, but can sometimes be issued for one year instead. It is valid until the expiry date listed on the card.
We only send PR cards to addresses within Canada. In some cases, you may have to pick up your card in person at one of our Canadian offices.
If you find a mistake on your PR card you can ask for it to be reissued. Sometimes we shorten a name on the card if it is too long to fit. This is not a mistake. Find out how to fix a mistake on your PR card.
Replace a lost, stolen or destroyed PR card
You need to tell us what happened before you apply.
If you are outside Canada, go to the nearest visa office. Then you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada. When you are back in Canada, you can continue with your application.
If you are inside Canada, tell us what happened using this web form. To complete the form:
- Choose Tell us more then answer No and Proceed to Web form.
- Choose Permanent resident card and Renewal and replacement.
- Fill in your details.
Then continue with your application.
How to Apply through the Permanent Residence Portal
To apply for a permanent resident card (PR card), you must submit a complete application package including all required forms.
If your application is incomplete or missing information or documents, we’ll return it to you.
You must submit a separate application with the correct fees for each person in your family who needs a PR card, regardless of their age.
Our instruction guide (IMM 5445) has detailed information on how to prepare, complete and submit your application.
Fill out your forms
Digital application form
Fill out the Application for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5444) in the online portal.
PDF forms you’ll upload
Mandatory
- Document Checklist [IMM 5644] (opens in a new tab)
- Use your checklist to make sure you include all the forms and documents you need.
Additional forms, if they apply
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (opens in a new tab)
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475) (opens in a new tab)
- Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in a new tab)
- Confirmation of Eligibility for a Reclaimed Name Change Gratis Replacement Document Under Call to Action 17 (IRM 0004) (opens in a new tab)
- Statutory Declaration to Reclaim an Indigenous Name on Canadian Citizenship Certificates or Permanent Resident Cards (IRM 0005) (opens in a new tab)
- An amended birth certificate or legal change of name document
Pay your application fees online
You must pay a processing fee of CAN$50 when you apply for a PR card and include your receipt with your application. This is not the same account you use to apply. You’ll need to create a new account or log in with our payment service.
Pay your fees online
Submit your application online
Before you submit your application, make sure you
- answer all questions
- sign your application and all forms
- include the receipt for your payment, and
- include all the supporting documents
If you can’t apply online
What to do after you apply
if you’re outside Canada without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). You can only apply for a PTRD from outside Canada.
Processing your application
Application processing times start from when we get a complete application with supporting documents and photos in the right format. You can see the average processing times for permanent resident card (PR card) applications or check the status of your application.
If we approve your application, we’ll mail you a PR card. We can’t mail your card to a third-party or non-Canadian address. In some cases, we may ask you to pick it up at one of our offices. If we do, bring your passport, or other travel document, and the original documents you sent when you applied. If you don’t pick your card up within 180 days, we will destroy it and you will have to apply for a new one.
Tell us if you’ve been waiting for longer than six weeks since we mailed your card.
If you changed addresses or phone numbers after you submitted your application, contact us so we can change this for you.
When you receive your new PR card, destroy your old one (if you have it) by cutting it in half. Destroy your old card even if:
- it’s expired,
- it has a name you used before, or
- it’s damaged.
When you travel, you need a valid PR card to return to Canada by commercial vehicle, like an airplane, train, bus or boat. If your card isn’t ready before you leave Canada or if you’re travelling without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) from outside Canada. You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.
Return to Canada without a valid permanent resident (PR) card
If you leave, or have already left Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to re-enter Canada.
It might take longer than normal to process your PRTD application. This could delay your return to Canada.
When travelling to Canada, you need your valid PR card or PRTD when boarding any of the following vehicles:
- plane
- train
- bus
- boat
If you don’t have your document with you, you may not be allowed to board.
Top questions about the permanent resident card
What happens if my permanent resident card expires while I am outside Canada?
You need a valid permanent resident (PR) card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. If you know your card will expire when you’re travelling, renew it before you leave. You can only renew your card in Canada. We don’t send PR cards to non-Canadian addresses and we don’t allow third parties to get them for you.
If you’re outside Canada and don’t have a valid PR card, you need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada. You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada. If you try to return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to take your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
If your card expires when you’re outside Canada, you still have your permanent resident (PR) status. To keep your PR status, you need to stay in Canada for a certain amount of time.
What happens if your PR card expires when you’re outside Canada depends on how you plan to return to Canada.
If you leave Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a PRTD to re-enter Canada.
It might take longer than normal to process your PRTD application. This could delay your return to Canada.
Private vehicle
There are other documents you can use to re-enter the country.
When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.
Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent. It is a vehicle not available for public use.
Commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.
You can apply to replace your permanent resident (PR) card when you return to Canada or if you haven’t left yet. You may eligible for urgent processing.
Validity
Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year. The expiry date is printed on the card. When your PR card expires, you can’t use it as a travel document. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card. You need to be in Canada. If you’re re-entering Canada by commercial vehicle and have an expired PR card, get your PRTD to re-enter Canada.
Check our processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card.
I am a new permanent resident of Canada. Do I need to apply for a permanent resident card?
No, we will mail your permanent resident (PR) card to you when you arrive in Canada.
If you did not provide your Canadian mailing address when you became a permanent resident, use our online address notification tool to send it to us. You must provide your address within 180 days of the day you become a permanent resident. If you do not send it within 180 days, we will cancel the PR card and you will have to apply for another one and pay the processing fees.
Check current processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card. Please tell us if you did not get your PR card within the processing times.
I am a new permanent resident of Canada. Do I need to apply for a permanent resident card?
No, we will mail your permanent resident (PR) card to you when you arrive in Canada.
If you did not provide your Canadian mailing address when you became a permanent resident, use our online address notification tool to send it to us. You must provide your address within 180 days of the day you become a permanent resident. If you do not send it within 180 days, we will cancel the PR card and you will have to apply for another one and pay the processing fees.
Check current processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card. Please tell us if you did not get your PR card within the processing times.
How long will it take to process my PR card?
You can check current processing times for permanent resident cards (PR cards).
If you need your card sooner, you can apply for urgent processing. If you aren’t eligible, we will process your application normally.
See also processing times questions.
I need to leave Canada and I do not have a permanent resident card. Can I later return to Canada without a PR card?
You need a valid permanent resident (PR) card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. If you know your card will expire when you’re travelling, renew it before you leave. You can only renew your card in Canada. We don’t send PR cards to non-Canadian addresses and we don’t allow third parties to get them for you.
If you’re outside Canada and don’t have a valid PR card, you need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada. You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada. If you try to return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to take your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
If you leave Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a PRTD to re-enter Canada.
It might take longer than normal to process your PRTD application. This could delay your return to Canada.
It depends on how you travel.
Returning by private vehicle
There are other documents you can use to enter the country.
When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.
Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent. It is a vehicle not available for public use.
Returning by commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.
You can apply for a PR card when you return to Canada.
You can apply for a PR card when you return to Canada.
If you’re traveling soon or already applied
If you know you’re travelling by commercial vehicle soon, you can ask for an urgent renewal of your PR card. If you already applied for your PR card and are still waiting for it, you can check our processing times, check the status of your application or link your application to your account to keep track of it.
Contact us if you’ve been waiting for your card for six weeks longer than the normal processing time and still haven’t received it.
There are other documents you can use to re-enter the country.
When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.
Some examples of private vehicles include, but are not limited to: a car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent. It is a vehicle not available for public use.
Commercial vehicle: airplane, bus, train, or boat
You must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD). Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.
You can apply to replace your permanent resident (PR) card when you return to Canada or if you haven’t left yet. You may eligible for urgent processing.
Validity
Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year. The expiry date is printed on the card. When your PR card expires, you can’t use it as a travel document. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card. You need to be in Canada. If you’re re-entering Canada by commercial vehicle and have an expired PR card, get your PRTD to re-enter Canada.
Check our processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card.
How do I renew my permanent resident card?
If your permanent resident (PR) card is expired or will expire in less than 9 months, you can apply for a new card. The new card will have a new expiration date. Most new PR cards are valid for 5 years.
To be eligible for a PR card, you need to
- be a permanent resident and
- submit your application in Canada
have reclaimed my Indigenous name. How do I update my PR card?
If you’ve reclaimed your Indigenous name, you can change the name on your PR card by applying for a new one. There’s no cost for this change until May 31, 2026.
When you apply, include either an eligibility form or a Statutory Declaration, depending on your situation.
Include an eligibility form [IRM 0004] (PDF, 1.82 MB) if you either
- amended your birth certificate or
- have a legal change of name document
Include a Statutory Declaration [IRM 0005] (PDF, 1.82 MB) if you
- are applying for a free replacement PR card and
- can’t amend your birth certificate or get a legal change of name document
- you’ll also need to include proof you can’t get these documents (for example, a rejection letter from your province or territory)
We’ll use these forms to find if you’re eligible for a free replacement card.
You’ll have to pay the usual fees if
- you’re applying for your first PR card
- you’ve declared your PR card lost, stolen or damaged
Apply for, renew or replace a Permanent Resident card