shqiptarëtPR card in Canada: first card, renewal, replacement
The permanent resident (PR) card shows you are a permanent resident of Canada. You need it to return to Canada after travelling by plane, boat, train or bus. This page sums up IRCC's rules.
This is general information from the official Government of Canada pages below, not legal advice. Fees change; check before paying.
- First card
- Most people don't apply. IRCC sends it automatically if you give your Canadian address and photo within 180 days of becoming a PR; it then costs nothing.
- When to renew
- When it will expire in less than 9 months, or has expired. It is usually valid for 5 years, in some cases only 1 year.
- Cost
- CAD $50 per person, each time you renew or replace it.
- PR status
- To keep it, you must have been in Canada at least 730 days in the last 5 years; the days don't need to be continuous.
- When the card expires
- You don't lose PR status just because the card has expired.
Steps
- Sign in to the Permanent Residence Portal
Fill in form IMM 5444 in the portal. - Upload the document checklist
Form IMM 5644, plus other documents for your situation. - Pay online to IRCC
Fees are not paid in the portal. Then upload the receipt. No refunds while the application is in progress. - Sign electronically and submit
Type your full name exactly as on your passport. - Track your application
Check the status online. Urgent processing exists in some cases, but the minimum is 3 weeks.
Travel
- When you return on a commercial carrier, show your PR card and your passport.
- Without a valid PR card outside Canada, apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) before returning.
Mistake on the card
- If the mistake is IRCC's and you received the card within the last 60 days, it can be reissued free (form IMM 5531).
Processing time
- For the current PR card processing time, use the official IRCC processing times tool. It changes often, so we do not copy it here.
Kosovo citizens: the IRCC rules on this page apply in the same way. Canada: the essentials