PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD NEW / RENEWAL

Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires.

If you are a new immigrant to Canada, you do not need to apply for a permanent resident (PR) card.

The IRCC will mail your card to you when you get to Canada.

You should apply for a PR card if:

• you plan to travel outside the country and will return to Canada on a commercial vehicle like an airplane, a bus, a train, or a boat;

• you did not get your PR card after you gave us your Canadian mailing address, and it has been more than 180 days since you provided your address;

• you need evidence of your PR status;

• your card was lost, stolen or destroyedand you want a new one;

• your PR card expires in less than nine months; or
• you have legally changed your name and need to update the name on your PR card.

A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries.

A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.

Refugees who are resettled from overseas become permanent residents through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

Someone who makes a refugee claim in Canada does not become a permanent resident at that time. To become one, the Immigration and Refugee Board must first approve their claim. Then, they must apply for and get permanent resident status.

The permanent resident (PR) card

Your PR card can be used to show that you have permanent resident status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada, you will need to show your card and your passport when you come back on a commercial vehicle, like an airplane, boat, train or bus.

PRs traveling outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card, or who are not carrying it, need to apply for a permanent resident travel document before returning to Canada by commercial vehicle.

What permanent residents can do

As a permanent resident, you have the right to:

• get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage,
• live, work or study anywhere in Canada,
• apply for Canadian citizenship,
• protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

You must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

What permanent residents cannot do

You are not allowed to:

• vote or run for political office,
• hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.

Time spent living in Canada

When you are a permanent resident, you can live outside of Canada, but must live in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period. If you live outside of Canada for longer, you may lose your permanent resident status.

Travel journal

Record your trips outside Canada. It will help you fill out your application.

Losing your permanent resident status

You don’t lose your permanent resident status when your PR card expires. You can only lose your status if you go through an official process.

You can lose your permanent resident status if:

• an adjudicator determines you are no longer a permanent resident after an inquiry or PRTD appeal;
• you voluntarily renounce your permanent resident status;
• a removal order is made against you and comes into force; or
• you become a Canadian citizen.

Even if you don't meet the residency obligation, you are still a PR until an official decision is made on your status.

Voluntarily giving up (renouncing) permanent resident status

Losing your permanent resident status does not happen automatically. There may come a time when you no longer want to be a permanent resident of Canada.  If so, you can apply to voluntarily give up (renounce) your permanent resident status.

Renewal of Permanent Resident Card

If your permanent resident (PR) card is expired or will expire in less than 9 months, you can apply for a new card. The new card will have a new expiration date. Most new PR cards are valid for 5 years.

To be eligible for a PR card, you need to:

• be a permanent resident and
• submit your application in Canada

For further information, please contact us.