Permanent Resident Card Renewal PR Card PR Card Renewal Expired PR Card

Permanent Resident Card Renewal

The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is official proof of your Permanent Resident status in Canada. This is a wallet-sized plastic card that you can keep on your person, though many people keep it in a safe place and do not carry it around day to day. As this is a very important document, it is wise to keep safe and only use it when necessary.

The PR card is primarily used when you need to prove your status in Canada as a Permanent Resident. That being said, it is often used for travel in and out of Canada. You must show this card when you are re-entering Canada on a commercial vehicle. This means that before you are able to board a plane, boat, train or bus – you will need to be able to provide a valid Permanent Resident Card.


If you are planning to exit Canada, be sure that you check the expiry date of your card and be mindful of when you are expected to return to Canada. If your Permanent Resident Card expires prior to your re-entry, you will not be allowed on a commercial vehicle.

What You Will Need About PR Card

If you are immigrating as a Permanent Resident, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will mail your card to when you arrive to Canada. You will not need to make a separate application. You should apply for a Permanent Resident Card if:

  1. You did not get one when you immigrated to Canada;
  2. You have one that is expired or will expire soon; or
  3. Your card was lost, stolen or damaged.

To qualify for your Permanent Resident Card you must meet certain residency obligations. You must meet the residency obligation to obtain a Permanent Resident Card.

If you have been a permanent resident for five (5) years or more
  • you must have been physically present in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within the past five (5) years.
If you have been a permanent resident for less than five (5) years
  • you must show that you will be able to meet the minimum of 730 days of physical presence in Canada within five (5) years of the date you became a permanent resident.

You can also apply for urgent processing if you intend on travelling outside of Canada very soon or you do not have a Permanent Resident card, it has expired or will expire soon. You will require additional documentation for urgent processing.

If you do not meet the residency obligation, you will need to demonstrate why you were unable to meet them and provide proof as to who you should be allowed to renew your Permanent Resident Card. This is called making an application with Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations. This will involve:

  • Demonstrating how you have centralized a way of life in Canada;
  • You have strong ties to Canada;
  • It was your intention to maintain your residency obligation but were unable to do so for reasons beyond your control;
  • That you intend on meeting your obligation in the future provided that your permanent resident card is renewed.

How We Can Help

Whether or not you have an urgent travel need or you simply which to keep your permanent resident card current and up to date, Akrami & Associates can get the job done quickly and efficiently for you. We can assist by:

  • Outlining the documents you will need to ensure processing as per your unique situation;
  • Help compile documents that reflect why you may have been unable to maintain your residency obligation;
  • Make necessary arguments as to why your permanent resident card should be renewed;
  • Draft the necessary forms;
  • Review your travel history to ensure you meet the residency requirements;
  • Account for any urgent travel needs and ensure expedited processing;
  • Follow up on your matter with Citizenship and Immigration Canada; and of course
  • Be with you every step of the way.

For more information on Permanent Resident Card Renewal, feel free to browse our vast collection of information on the subject or contact us directly at 1-877-622-8182 or 416 477 2570. You can also email at Info@ToImmigrate.com.

When a permanent resident application is successful, you will need to have proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada. You will also need your permanent resident card if you plan on travelling outside of Canada and entering through any commercial means such as a plane, boat, train, or bus.

If you are a new permanent resident, you will be mailed your new card. If at any time your card has been stolen, lost, or destroyed, you will need to make an application to replace it. As a permanent resident card has an expiration date, you will need to renew the card when it expires, keeping in mind that you cannot do so if it is still valid for more than six months.

Some eligibility requirements for obtaining a permanent resident card is,

  • to be a permanent resident
  • to be physically present in Canada
  • not be under a valid removal order
  • not be a Canadian citizen
  • not be convicted of an offence related to the misuse of your permanent resident card

The process in procurement of your permanent resident card includes filling out the relevant forms, providing two photos that meets the requirements as set out on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website, and sending in supporting documents and fees.

It is important to keep in mind that this is only the procedure for those within Canada, if you are outside of Canada and faced with these situations, another procedure must be taken in order to acquire your card again.

If you find a pressing need for your permanent resident card, an urgent processing of a permanent resident card may be possible if you are travelling within the next three months and returning to Canada on a commercial vehicle.

There are many circumstances in terms of replacing or renewing your permanent resident card. It is important for you to have your card with you as it will provide evidence of your status in Canada.

If you are not sure what situation you are in, or if you do not know what you should do if you find yourself without a permanent resident card, whether in Canada or outside of it, the legal team at Akrami & Associates can help you. Call us now to find out more.

To Renew your PR Card:

You may be able to apply for renewal or replacement of your Permanent Resident Card or PR Card if it has expired, or is about to expire, has been stolen or has been destroyed. For the purposes of the blog, I will talk about PR card renewal.

You may only apply for a PR card renewal if your card has expired or soon will expire. To renew your card, you would have to follow the same steps as you did to apply for a permanent resident card. You will be required to provide the same documents, photographs and the pay the assigned fee.

You would fill out the same application as you did the first time for the PR card. In most cases you DO NOT need to apply for renewal if your PR card is still valid for more than six months. You should retain you current PR card (even if it is expired), until you receive the new one. You may be required to bring with you the previous card and a list of original documents. These original documents may include a valid passport or a travel document, secondary identity document (driver’s license), etc. You may also require statutory declaration attesting to your identity. There are specific requirements for the photographs that may be allowed. It is important for you to be aware of the specific requirement, as if not followed correctly; your application may not be processed.

Important note: the PR cards will not be sent to an address outside of Canada. Make sure you provide an address within Canada.

If you have any question about how to apply for PR card, and what further documents may be required. You can contact us, and our team of experienced professionals will be happy to help you.

Your Permanent Resident Card is only valid for five (5) years at a time and you will need it if you intend on travelling to and from Canada. If your Permanent Resident (PR) Card is about to expire, you may face issues when travelling.

For example, if your Permanent Resident (PR) Card will expire before your intended return to Canada, you will not be able to board a commercial vehicle to Canada. This means that you will not be able to catch that plane, bus, train or boat to Canada. You cannot travel to Canada on an expired Permanent Resident (PR) Card.

That being said, maintaining your Permanent Resident (PR) Card is crucial to your ability to travel back and forth from Canada.

Urgent Travel

If you have an urgent travel need, there is still hope. If you intend on exiting Canada, you will definitely need your Permanent Resident (PR) Card. That being said, you should be sure to double check the expiry on your Permanent Resident (PR) Card to ensure that it will be valid for your return flight. If not, you can request for urgent processing of your card.

This means that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will take into consideration your request and do their best to ensure that you receive your Permanent Resident (PR) Card before your intended travel date, provided that you meet the residency obligation.

You will need to submit proof of impending travel and purchased tickets, for example.

PR Residency Obligation

To qualify for your Permanent Resident Card you must meet certain residency obligations. You must meet the residency obligation to obtain a Permanent Resident Card.

If you have been a permanent resident for five (5) years or more

  • you must have been physically present in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within the past five (5) years.

If you have been a permanent resident for less than five (5) years

  • you must show that you will be able to meet the minimum of 730 days of physical presence in Canada within five (5) years of the date you became a permanent resident.

As a Permanent Resident coming to Canada for the first time, you will not need to worry about applying for your first card.

You should only apply for your Permanent Resident (PR) Card if:

  • You did not get a Permanent Resident card when you immigrated to Canada, or
  • You have a Permanent Resident card that has expired or will soon expire.

If your PR card was lost, stolen or destroyed, you can also apply for a card, but there are additional things you will need to do.

Lost or Destroyed PR Card

If your Permanent Resident Card is lost or stolen while you are outside of Canada, please report the loss or theft to the nearest Canadian visa office. Citizenship and Immigration Canada should be made aware as soon as possible to avoid any fraud using your Permanent Resident Card.

  • If you will use a commercial vehicle, like a bus or plane, to return to Canada, you must apply for a Travel Document. This travel document can be used in lieu of your Permanent Resident (PR) Card
  • If you are returning to Canada by private vehicle, there are other documents you can use to re-enter Canada.
  • You can then apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.

If none of these situations apply to you will face difficulty applying for your Permanent Resident Card. You may want to consider making an application with Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations.

Fix a Mistake on your Permanent Resident Card

There is a different way to fix a mistake on your PR card. You can apply for a reissued Permanent Residence Card if the mistake was made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

You should note that name has more than 15 letters or your surname has more than 20 letters, the name appearing on the PR Card will be shortened. This is not a mistake and the card will not be reissued to change the name.

What happens if my Permanent Resident Card Expires While I am Outside of Canada?

Most permanent resident cards (PR cards) are valid for five years. The expiry date is printed on the card. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card. Your Permanent Resident Card is you primary document and means of proving your status in Canada.

You will need your card to be able to travel to and from Canada and board commercial means of transportation like, commercial:

  • Airlines,
  • Boats,
  • Trains, and even
  • Buses destined for Canada

Save the Date…

Check processing times to see how long you will have to wait to get your new card. You need to make sure that you Permanent Resident Card will still be valid by the time you intend on returning to Canada. If not, you will face issues when you attempt to travel.

You need to have a valid and current Permanent Resident Card to board a commercial means of transportation. For this reason, if your Permanent Resident Card is expiring, you should apply to have it renewed prior to your travels.

As a rule of thumb, you should always apply for the extension of your Permanent Resident Card at least 180 days (6 months) prior to its expiry date.

PR Card Urgent Processing

If you need to leave Canada soon, you can apply for urgent processing. Citizenship and Immigration Canada takes into consider urgent travel needs. As a Permanent Residnet you have the right to enter and exit Canada and for you to exercise that right, you need a valid Permanent Resident Card. That being said, urgent travel requests are considered and processed with priority if you are able to provide proof of your impending travel in the form of valid, purchased tickets.

A travel itinerary or booking reservations are not sufficient.

Travel Document

Citizenship and Immigration Canada does not mail Permanent Resident cards to addresses outside Canada. If your card expires while you are outside Canada and you will use a commercial vehicle like a bus or plane to return to Canada, you must apply for a travel document.

If you will return to Canada by private vehicle, there are other documents you can use to re-enter Canada. If you do not have these documents, you must apply for a travel document.

When you return to Canada, apply for a PR card if you plan to travel outside Canada again.