Section 31 — Permanent resident card
Text of provision
(1) A permanent resident and a protected person shall be provided with a document indicating their status.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, unless an officer determines otherwise
(a) a person in possession of a status document referred to in subsection (1) is presumed to have the status indicated; and
(b) a person who is outside Canada and who does not present a status document indicating permanent resident status is presumed not to have permanent resident status.
(3) A permanent resident outside Canada who is not in possession of a status document indicating permanent resident status shall, following an examination, be issued a travel document if an officer is satisfied that
(a) they comply with the residency obligation under section 28;
(b) an officer has made the determination referred to in paragraph 28(2)(c); or
(c) they were physically present in Canada at least once within the 365 days before the examination and they have made an appeal under subsection 63(4) that has not been finally determined or the period for making such an appeal has not yet expired.
Plain English
Section 31(1) requires every permanent resident to hold a permanent resident (PR) card. The card is not the source of permanent resident status — status is acquired under s 46 provisions — but it is the prescribed document that evidences that status to third parties such as airlines and employers.
Section 31(2) provides that a PR card is not proof of citizenship. Section 31(3) prescribes what information the card must contain. The Regulations specify the validity period (currently five years for adults).
Practical effect
A key distinction: permanent resident status and the PR card are separate. A person does not lose permanent resident status when their PR card expires. However, an expired PR card is a significant practical problem — airlines will not board a permanent resident returning to Canada without a valid PR card or a travel document (permanent resident travel document issued abroad). Officers at the port of entry may examine the holder even with a valid card to confirm continued status.