PR Card Renewal in Canada: Requirements and Documents
Renew your Canadian PR card! Learn the latest requirements, documents, application process, and processing times for PR card renewals.
A Permanent Resident (PR) Card is official proof of your permanent resident status in Canada. It is also the document most permanent residents need when returning to Canada by commercial carrier, such as a plane, train, bus, or boat. PR cards are usually valid for five years, although some may be issued for one year.
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) recommends applying to renew your PR card if it has expired or will expire in less than nine months. Before applying, please check the eligibility rules, residency obligation, required documents, fees and application process.
This guide takes you through each step, including processing times and special situations, so you can prepare your PR card renewal application accurately and avoid unnecessary delays. Continue reading to find out what you should know before you apply.
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Permanent Resident Card Renewal Requirements
Who Can Renew a PR Card?
You can apply for a PR card renewal if you have valid permanent resident status and meet IRCC’s requirements. You must generally be physically present in Canada, meet the residency obligation, not be under an effective removal order, and not be a Canadian citizen.
Applications must be submitted from within Canada. You should usually renew your permanent resident card if it has expired or will expire in less than nine months. Most new permanent residents do not need to apply for their first PR card if they provide IRCC with the required Canadian address and photo.
Meeting the Permanent Resident Residency Obligation
If you have been a permanent resident for five years or more, you generally need to meet the residency obligation for at least 730 days during the previous five years. This is most commonly met through physical presence in Canada.
In general, this means being in Canada for at least 730 days, although qualifying time outside Canada may also count toward the 730 days. The days do not need to be continuous. If you have held status as a permanent resident for less than five years, you must be able to reach 730 days within five years of becoming a PR.
For example, time accompanying a permanent resident spouse may qualify if that spouse is working full-time abroad for an eligible Canadian business or in the federal, provincial, or territorial public service.
Documents Required for PR Card Renewal
PR Card Renewal Forms and Supporting Documents
Before applying, check IRCC’s Document Checklist (IMM 5644) and use it as your PR card renewal checklist for the documents required for your situation. For a renewal, you will generally need:
- IMM 5444 application
- Completed IMM 5644 checklist
- A copy of your current PR card
- An accepted primary identity document
- Two pieces of evidence showing you meet the residency obligation
- One compliant PR card photo for an online application
- Proof of fee payment
IRCC may request other documents depending on your circumstances. Missing documents or unclear copies can delay processing or cause IRCC to return your application.
Primary Identity Documents
You must provide a clear copy of an accepted primary identity document. This can be a valid passport or travel document, including the one you held when you became a permanent resident, or a certificate of identity issued by IRCC or a foreign country. Make sure your name, photo, date of birth, document number and issue and expiry dates can be clearly seen on the copy.
Proof of Residency in Canada
IRCC will usually ask you for two pieces of evidence to prove that you meet the residency obligation. This evidence could include employment records, pay stubs, bank statements, CRA Notices of Assessment, or rental agreements that show you resided in Canada. If you are counting qualifying time spent outside Canada, you may also need proof of employment, family relationships, travel, or other circumstances that allow those days to count.
PR Card Photo Requirements
For an online application, upload one professional photo taken within 12 months of the date you apply. The photo must meet IRCC’s current specifications and include the required information, such as your name and date of birth, the photographer or studio details, and the date the photo was taken. A photo that does not meet these requirements can cause the application to be returned.
Additional Documents for Special Circumstances
You may need additional documents if you changed your legal name or gender identifier or are counting qualifying time abroad. If you had a legal name change, you must include a copy of your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence and supporting legal documents to explain differences between your PR card and other official documents. Use IMM 5476 to appoint a representative, or IMM 5475 to authorize someone else to receive information about your application.
Translation Requirements for PR Card Documents
Required documents that are not in English or French must include an English or French translation and a certified copy of the original document. If the translator is not a Canadian certified translator, you must also include an affidavit from the translator. You and certain family members cannot translate your own supporting documents.
How to Renew a PR Card in Canada
Step 1: Begin Your Application in the Permanent Residence Portal
To apply for PR card renewal online, sign in to the Permanent Residence Portal and complete IMM 5444. When completing an application for a permanent resident card renewal, you will provide information about your identity, immigration history, addresses, and travel history. Make sure the information matches your immigration records where required.
Step 2: Complete the Document Checklist and Upload Your Documents
Complete IMM 5644 and use it as your renewal checklist to make sure you have included all required documents. Upload your identification document, proof of residency, photo of your PR card and any other forms or supporting documents that apply to your situation. Make sure each copy is clear and readable.
Step 3: Pay the PR Card Renewal Fee
Use IRCC’s online payment service to pay the PR card fee. The fee is not payable via the Permanent Residence Portal. After the payment is successful, upload the receipt in the Fee Payment section of your application.
Step 4: Review and Submit Your Application
When you are ready to submit, review to ensure that each required question has been completed and all required supporting documents are uploaded. Sign your application and other required forms electronically as directed and submit to the Permanent Residence Portal.
Step 5: Track Your PR Card Application
After submitting a complete application, you can track its status once IRCC sends your acknowledgement of receipt. If approved, you will usually receive your new PR card at your Canadian address. Most renewal applicants receive their PR card by mail, although IRCC may require some applicants to pick it up at a local office.
While your renewal is being processed, don't destroy your old card simply because you submitted a new application. IRCC instructs you to destroy the old card after you receive the new one. If you are asked to pick up your new card at an IRCC office, bring your old card with you as instructed.
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PR Card Renewal Processing Time and Fee
PR Card Renewal Processing Time
PR card renewal processing times can change, so check IRCC’s current processing-time tool for the latest estimate. Processing times vary depending on factors like whether the application is complete, how easily IRCC can confirm your information, and how quickly you respond to requests for additional documents or information. If you plan to travel outside Canada, check the current processing time before making travel arrangements and make sure you have the documents required to return to Canada.
PR Card Renewal Fee
Renewing or replacing a PR card costs $50 CAD per person. Pay the fee online through IRCC’s payment system, and include the payment receipt with the application. Immigration fees may change, so check IRCC’s current fee information before you pay.
Renewing an Expired PR Card or Applying from Outside Canada
What Happens If Your PR Card Has Expired?
If your PR card expired, you do not automatically lose your PR status. Your PR status continues unless you officially lose or renounce it. If you are in Canada and still meet the requirements, you can apply for a new PR card. However, an expired card generally cannot be used to board commercial transportation to Canada.
What If You Are Outside Canada Without a Valid PR Card?
If you are outside Canada and want to come back to Canada by commercial transportation, you generally need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). A valid PR card or PRTD are the main document to return to Canada and re-enter Canada by plane, bus, train, or boat.
If you’re travelling commercially, you normally need a valid permanent resident card unless you have a PRTD. If you are travelling in a private vehicle, there are different rules. A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer may verify your permanent resident status at the border.
Expedited PR Card Renewal
IRCC calls expedited PR card renewal “urgent processing.” You may qualify for urgent processing only in certain situations, such as travel for a job opportunity, work related to your current job, your own serious illness, or the serious illness or death of a family member. You must provide proof of travel, proof of payment for the trip, a letter explaining the urgency, and supporting evidence such as an employer letter, medical document, or death certificate.
Urgent processing does not mean you will get your card immediately. IRCC cannot process a PR card application in less than three weeks, and even if you qualify, there is no guarantee you will get your card on time for your planned travel.
Get the Right Translation for Your PR Card Renewal in Canada
If you need to renew your PR card and your supporting documents are not in English or French, they must meet IRCC’s translation requirements. I provide certified translation services for IRCC applications, including passports, travel documents, passport stamps, and other supporting records that may need translation when you apply for a permanent resident card.
If you are not sure what type of translation or certification your documents require, please feel free to contact me for a customized translation assessment. I can review your documents and help you determine the appropriate translation service for your application.