The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized identity document issued by IRCC to Canadian permanent residents. It serves as proof of permanent resident status in Canada and is required by commercial carriers (airlines and other transportation providers) as evidence of the right to board a flight or vessel returning to Canada from outside the country. The PR card itself does not confer permanent residence — a person's PR status is a legal status separate from the physical card — but without a valid PR card, permanent residents who travel outside Canada may face significant difficulties re-entering.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), s 31 — permanent resident status documents
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), ss 53–59 — the regulatory framework for the PR card
• IRCC: Get a permanent resident card — canada.ca/pr-card
• IRCC: Apply for a PR card (Guide 5445) — canada.ca/guide-5445

Issuance — when a PR card is first issued

A PR card is automatically issued when a person becomes a permanent resident of Canada. For persons who land as immigrants (whether through Express Entry, family class, or other pathways), the PR card is typically issued and mailed to the address provided in the application. For persons already in Canada who are confirmed as permanent residents through an inland process, the card is similarly issued and mailed.

New permanent residents receive a PR card with a 5-year validity. The card is mailed — it is not given at the port of entry. If a person needs to travel internationally before receiving their PR card, they should keep a copy of their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document, which can in some circumstances assist re-entry.

Validity and when to apply for renewal

The standard PR card has a 5-year validity period. IRCC advises that a renewal application should be submitted when the PR card has less than 9 months (270 days) of validity remaining. Applying earlier is not recommended — the renewed card will generally not be issued until closer to the expiry date. A PR card that has fewer than 9 months' validity remaining may be declined by some carriers as insufficient for boarding, which is the practical reason for the 9-month threshold.

Expired PR card — what it means for status

An expired PR card does not cancel a person's permanent resident status. PR status in Canada is a legal status that exists independently of the physical document. However, an expired PR card creates a practical problem: commercial carriers (airlines, bus companies, cruise lines) are required by law to confirm that a traveller has the right to return to Canada before allowing them to board. An expired PR card does not satisfy this check, and the carrier may decline to board the passenger.

Inside Canada, an expired PR card has no immediate legal consequence — the person remains a permanent resident. The issue arises when travelling outside Canada.

Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)

If a permanent resident is outside Canada without a valid PR card (expired or lost), they cannot use a PR card to return. In this situation, they must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) — a single-journey travel document issued by a Canadian visa office or through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) overseas. The PRTD allows the holder to board a carrier to return to Canada. The form used is IMM 5444.

A PRTD application requires evidence that the applicant is still a permanent resident and, importantly, that they have met (or can explain non-compliance with) their residency obligation — the requirement to be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in any 5-year period. A permanent resident who has not met their residency obligation may have their PR status determined to have ceased as part of the PRTD process. For current PRTD application instructions, refer to the IRCC PR card page.

Applying for a renewal or replacement PR card

Applications for renewal, replacement (lost/stolen/damaged), or changes to name or gender identifier on a PR card are submitted using form IMM 5444 along with Guide 5445. Applications are submitted online through IRCC's portal. For current processing times for PR card applications, refer to the IRCC processing times tool.

PR card and citizenship

When a permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen, their PR card becomes void — citizens use a Canadian passport, not a PR card, to travel. New citizens should not apply for a PR card renewal after citizenship is conferred.

The PR card does not determine whether a person has met their residency obligation — it is simply a travel document. A permanent resident who has not met their residency obligation may still hold a valid PR card. However, the residency obligation is assessed if the person applies for a PRTD from outside Canada or is reported under IRPA s 44 for failing to comply. Permanent residents should keep track of their days of physical presence in Canada independently of their PR card status. See the residency obligation page for details on the 730-day requirement.

For current PR card fees, refer to the IRCC fee list — fees are adjusted periodically and must be verified before submitting an application.