PR Card Renewal

Returning to Canada without a permanent resident (PR) card

You need a valid PR card to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat.

What to do if you don't have a valid PR card or your card is about to expire

• If you're outside Canada: apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to return to Canada
• If you want to leave Canada: renew your PR card before you leave
• If you don't get your card in time, apply for a PRTD from outside Canada

Fees
PR card: $50

Travelling with your PR card
Permanent residents must have a valid permanent resident card (PR card) or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. Without one, you may not be able to board.
Your PR card needs to be valid when you show it. If your card expires, you will have to apply for a new one. You are still a permanent resident if your card expires.

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.

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.

GCMS/ATIP Notes

Want to know about your refusal or documents you submitted, Order GCMS/ATIP Notes.