Permanent resident (PR) card – Program administration

Since June 28, 2002, when the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) came into effect, persons who are granted permanent resident (PR) status also receive a PR card as proof of status in Canada. The PR card production process is initiated upon a client receiving PR status and providing all of the required information for the production, delivery and receipt of their PR card.

Clients who are outside Canada are issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document at a visa office. Clients who are in Canada will confirm their presence and address in Canada, and submit their photograph online through the PR Portal. A PR card production request is generated after permanent residence is confirmed.

Once the PR card production is complete, the card is mailed through Canada Post by regular mail directly to the client’s valid Canadian address. New PRs will not normally be seen by local IRCC offices unless the client requires photograph retakes, or their presence is required to clarify vital information on their CoPR or in GCMS.

People who have to travel soon after becoming permanent residents and have not received their PR card must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada if they are travelling on a commercial carrier.

On this page

• Program administration general information
• Port-of-entry (POE) instructions – Landings, Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and PR card production initiated for new PRs
  • POE – Foreign national arrives to become a PR
  • POE – Examination to initiate production of PR card
  • POE – Confirmation of permanent residence (CoPR)
  • POE – Photographs
  • POE – Verifications, updates and supporting the integrity of the PR card program
  • POE – Missing information, inform client of address update
  • POE – Third-party address provided
  • POE – PR reports lost CoPR form
  • POE – Arrivals with a one-year PR card
• Virtual landings and Phase 1 cards
  • Virtual landings – Verifications, corrections and initiation of production of a new PR card
• Instructions for inland offices, Call Centre and networks
  • Client reports to the Client Support Centre (CSC) on non-receipt – PR card lost in mail
  • PR card reported lost or stolen and preventing unauthorized use by a third party
  • PR card reported lost or stolen and subsequently found by client
  • Withdrawal requests of PR card application
  • Revoked PR cards
  • Surrender of PR card upon voluntary renunciation of PR status

Program administration general information

There are a wide range of comprehensive instructions for processing PR cards that vary depending on the conditions in which the PR card application is being made.

Applications from new PRs are categorized as Phase 1 applications. Applications from existing PRs are categorized as Phase 2 applications and are processed by the Permanent Resident Card Centre in Sydney (PRC-Sydney) unless they are referred to the Domestic Network (DN) for further investigation. Files referred to the DN are categorized as complex PR card applications.

PR cards may be replaced, revoked due to a change in the client’s status, or cancelled due to expiration or death of the client. PR card applications may be refused or cancelled in various circumstances. Please see below for further details.

The application form [IMM 5444] is used for all requests for a PR card or PRTD. Clients must follow the applicable instruction guide depending on whether they’re applying for a PR card [IMM 5445] or a PRTD [IMM 5529].

If an application is not made by electronic means, it must be submitted to the address specified (section 11 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations [IRPR]). A paper application for a PR card should be mailed to

PR Card Processing Centre
Client Service Unit
P.O. Box 9000
Sydney, Nova Scotia
B1P 6K7

In order to ensure that each PR card is processed appropriately and is in compliance with the provisions set out in the IRPA and the IRPR, each officer must ensure that standard operating procedures are followed when processing each client’s file, whether it be for a new issue, a renewal or a replacement card.

PRs are advised to apply to renew their PR card before the expiry date. If their PR card is still valid for more than 9 months, their application will be returned, unless their legal name or gender has changed.

Applications are also submitted for replacement PR cards reported lost, stolen or damaged. If a PR card is reported lost or stolen, it is revoked in the system and considered no longer valid.

A PR card that has been damaged beyond use is considered destroyed. An application to replace a damaged PR card must include the physical copy of the damaged PR card with the application. A PR card remains the property of the Crown at all times and must be returned to IRCC upon request [subsection R53(2)].

PR card delivery must take place in Canada [section R55]. As such, permanent residents must be in Canada to retrieve their PR card.

Port-of-entry (POE) instructions – Landings, Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and PR card production initiated for new PRs

POE – Foreign national arrives to become a PR

Upon arrival at the POE, officers are to complete an examination with the documents presented by the client. The client must be examined within the validity period of these documents and must be in possession of a valid travel document [section R50] and any other required supporting documents.

The 4 elements of identification being examined in the client’s documents are full name, date of birth, height and eye colour.

Information on previous countries of residence is also documented.

POE – Examination to initiate production of PR card

These POE procedures complement the normal POE examination procedures as they relate to verifications and corrections, and the integrity of the PR card production and issuing process.

Officers at the POE confirm that the client intends to establish permanent residence in Canada and verifies the province/territory of residence [section A20]. Clients unable to satisfy an officer of the obligations under this section may have valid reasons for not establishing residency immediately and may not have a permanent address in Canada at the time of their landing. In these situations, clients may provide a valid Canadian address of a third party (for example, friend, relative, service provider or a representative). See below for further instructions.

POE – CoPR

The CoPR [IMM 5688, formerly IMM 5292] contains space for a photograph and all identification data.

Final responsibility for ensuring data integrity and the legibility of the holder’s copy rests with officers at the POE. If an error is detected in the course of the client’s examination at a port of entry, the information is updated in GCMS and also directly on the CoPR.

When an officer has completed the examination and the client is admitted into Canada as a PR, the client’s CoPR copy is returned and the officer forwards the copy with the photograph to PRC-Sydney to initiate production of a new PR card (Phase 1).

POE – Photographs

Good quality photographs taken within the last 12 months must be affixed to the CoPR. One photograph is affixed to each client’s document, using the adhesive tape on the form. Photographs must not be stamped, stapled, sealed or laminated. Care must also be taken to ensure that the photograph that will be used for the PR card production has not been signed on the front or back and that no other marks, impressions or perforations have been made to the photographic paper. The quality of the photograph is important as an integral security feature for the purposes of the PR card.

If the officer is satisfied as to the identity of the client, but the photograph is missing, does not meet technical specifications (detailed below) or is affixed and cannot be removed without damage, then, if possible, a new photograph must be taken at the POE and submitted to PRC-Sydney to initiate production of a new PR card. If no photograph equipment is available at the POE, it is sufficient to forward the CoPR to PRC-Sydney who will in turn contact the client to obtain their photograph.

PR photographs must be:

• 50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches long) and sized so the height of the face measures between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches and 1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head);
• Clear, sharp and in focus;
• Taken with a neutral facial expression (eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, no smiling);
• Taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows, glare or flash reflections;
• Taken straight on, with face and shoulders centred and squared to the camera (meaning, the photographs must show the full front view of the person’s head and shoulders, showing full face centred in the middle of the photograph); and,
• Taken in front of a plain white background with a clear difference between the person’s face and the background. Photographs must reflect/represent natural skin tones.

See also

• What biometrics are collected and who must provide biometrics
• Permanent resident photos

POE – Verifications, updates and supporting the integrity of the PR card program

To support program integrity and the efficient production of the PR card, the officer at the POE must consider the following elements during the examination:

• Ensure that each photograph complies with the established specifications.
• Verify that the photograph in other supporting documentation (passport or other travel document) bears a clear resemblance to the photograph affixed to the CoPR, and that both are a likeness of the client under examination.
• Verify height and eye colour information and update GCMS accordingly.
• Enter or update each client’s complete address, including the postal code, in GCMS for each family member. Clients cannot be located simply by reference to “head of family”.
• Make any other corrections necessary to the GCMS file and update “Remarks”.
• Make any necessary corrections to GCMS where any other errors are apparent and may be corrected during the course of the examination.
• Instruct the client to provide a valid Canadian address within 180 days, and/or any other missing information, along with a warning that failure to do so may result in a requirement to submit a second application and pay the application fee in order to be issued with a valid PR card.

POE – Missing information, inform client of address update

When a PR is unable to provide a valid Canadian address, the officer should advise the client to provide their address in Canada via the online Address Notification tool on the GOC website or by completing the form entitled Address Notification – Permanent Resident Card [IMM 5456B].

The officer should also remind the client of the 180-day time limit to provide an address and any other missing information in order to qualify for a PR card based on their granting of PR status under IRPA.

If no valid Canadian address is provided within 180 days of arrival, the client will be required to complete an application and pay the fee in order to obtain a PR card.

See also

• ENF 4 – Port of entry examinations, Section 12 (PDF, 1.8 MB)

POE – Third-party address provided

On occasion, clients may provide the address of a third party in Canada (for example, friend, relative, representative or service provider) in order to facilitate processing and issuance of the PR card following their arrival in Canada.

Clients who use a representative must complete the IMM 5476 - Use of a Representative form.

If the client is using a representative, the officer should counsel the client to advise the representative of their new Canadian address as soon as possible so that the representative can forward the completed PR card to the client.

See also

• Use of representatives

Cases with clear indications that the initial entry into Canada is for a short duration only, and the client provided a third-party address for the purpose of forwarding the PR card outside of Canada, should be flagged with an Info-Alert indicating that the client is outside Canada.

If the client plans to leave Canada prior to receiving the PR card, the officer should counsel the client with respect to the requirements for PRTD [subsection A31(3)] issued abroad, and the possibility of delay in gaining re-entry into Canada.

POE – PR reports lost CoPR form

If a PR reports that their CoPR has been lost, stolen or destroyed, officers may reprint it from GCMS without referring to the responsible visa office where no misrepresentation is apparent. The CoPR may also be reprinted to correct minor errors, which must be documented in GCMS. Officers at the port of entry are then responsible for taking a new photograph of the client subject to the requirements.

POE – Arrivals with a one-year PR card

Clients with a one-year PR card are PRs under enforcement and must be referred to secondary inspection by the examining officer at the Primary Inspection Line.

Virtual landings and Phase 1 cards

Virtual landings – Verification, corrections and initiation of production of a new PR card

Since 2020, clients in Canada have been virtually landed through the PR Portal. Applicants in Canada are able to confirm their presence and address in Canada, submit a photograph online, and download their e-CoPR. Previously, PRs had to be physically present in Canada at an inland IRCC office and provide necessary information, such as valid Canadian address and photograph. Applicants now complete these requirements virtually and a caseworker examines the e-CoPR for completeness and accuracy.

The caseworker must consider the following elements during the examination to ensure program integrity and the efficient production of the PR card during the virtual landing process:

• Ensure the photograph submitted on the PR Portal complies with established specifications.
• Verify that the photograph in other supporting documentation (passport or other travel document) bears a clear resemblance to the photo the client uploaded to the PR Portal, and that both are a likeness of the person under examination.
• Verify height and eye colour information and update GCMS accordingly.
• Enter or update each client’s complete address, including the postal code, in GCMS. Clients cannot be located simply by reference to “head of family”.
• Make any other corrections necessary to the GCMS file and update “Remarks”.
• Make any necessary corrections to GCMS where any other errors are apparent and may be corrected during the course of the examination.

Instructions for inland offices, Call Centre and networks

Client reports to the Client Support Centre (CSC) on non-receipt – PR card lost in mail

Clients may contact the Client Service Centre (CSC) and report the non-receipt of a PR card and request an update on their file after the processing time has passed.

The CSC informs clients of the date of production and provides an estimate of the date for receipt by the client based on the normal production schedule and the mailing and return time frames of undeliverable/undelivered mail established by Canada Post.

PR cards sent but not received by the client 6 weeks past the processing times are deemed to be lost. Clients should complete a solemn declaration to have a new card issued to them. Clients who need to travel internationally before they receive their PR card in the mail must apply for a PRTD overseas to facilitate their return to Canada. Applications for a PRTD are made online through the permanent residence online application portal, or at the closest Visa Application Centre if the client chooses to submit a paper application.

See also

• Permanent resident travel document: About the process

If it has been over 180 days since PR card issuance when the client submits a solemn declaration, PRC-Sydney cancels the card and may suggest that the client submit a new application to obtain their first PR card.

The original PR card is revoked in the Integrated Border Alerting Service/Lost, Stolen or Fraudulent Document (IBAS/LSFD) database to prevent unauthorized use by a third party.

Officers should follow procedures for reporting lost mail and a privacy breach.

PR card reported lost or stolen and preventing unauthorized use by a third party

PRs may occasionally report their PR card is lost or stolen abroad, to an IRCC office in Canada or to the CSC.

Clients outside Canada who will travel by commercial carrier back to Canada must apply for a PRTD to facilitate travel to return to Canada.

Clients must report their lost or stolen PR card through official channels by completing the Application for a Permanent Resident Card [IMM 5444] form again, including section 6.

Clients who do not wish to apply for a replacement PR card are required to complete the Solemn Declaration Concerning a Permanent Resident Card that was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Never Received [IMM 5451].

Clients outside Canada who report a lost or stolen card need to apply for a PRTD to return to Canada by commercial carrier. Any relevant information from the file that may assist in IRCC’s and CBSA’s investigation into the loss or theft should also be recorded in GCMS and forwarded to PRC-Sydney via email (PRC-Sydney-Urgent@cic.gc.ca).

Clients must provide an explanation of the circumstances of loss and indicate what steps have been taken to recover the PR card. The card processing centre (CPC) is responsible for updating the client’s PR card status to “Cancelled,” with the reason “Lost or Stolen” as applicable. The CPC will update GCMS upon receipt of a completed Solemn Declaration [IMM 5451] or Application for a Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Travel Document [IMM 5444]. Clients are reminded that the PR card has been cancelled and is no longer valid.

A police report may be submitted along with the Solemn Declaration if the PR card was reported lost or stolen.

CBSA will update records in the Lost, Stolen or Fraudulent Document (LSFD) database.

Once a PR card is reported lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, it is revoked in the system and the card is no longer valid.

PR card reported lost or stolen subsequently found by client

All officers/agents are to first query GCMS to verify the PR card status.

If the PR card status is “Cancelled” with “Reported Lost or Stolen”, the PR card is no longer a valid document and cannot be reactivated. PR cards found with a status of cancelled and revoked must be destroyed.

Agents at the CSC will instruct the client to cut their card in half, ensuring that there is not a privacy breach with personal information still visible on the old card, and dispose of the pieces. Overseas offices in possession of PR cards that were collected for deconstruction may dispose of these cards according to their local control forms destruction method and include a note in the client’s UCI in GCMS confirming that the card has been destroyed.

If the PR card is found by a third party, they should contact the CSC if in Canada or the nearest Government of Canada office if abroad for information on how to return the PR card to the government by mailing the card to PRC-Sydney.

Withdrawal requests of PR card application

When a request is received to withdraw a PR card application, the processing office, either PRC-Sydney or the local IRCC office, must examine and assess the status of the PR card application for whether circumstances allow for a withdrawal of the application.

• If an application is in the initial stages and little or no analysis has been done, the withdrawal request may be accepted. The fee can be refunded only if processing has not yet started.
• If the application is at an advanced stage of the process and IRCC has a valid interest in seeing the process through to completion, the request to withdraw the application may be refused. In other words, if an officer has already examined the case and made the determination that an A44 report should be prepared or is in the process of preparing an A44 report, then there is a legitimate public interest in completing the process. In these cases, a withdrawal request would not be accepted since there is sufficient evidence to pursue an investigation of their PR card application.

Revoked PR cards

The PR card is revoked when a permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen, when they lose their PR status, when their PR card is lost, stolen or destroyed, or when the holder is deceased.

• PR cards are physically destroyed by the client upon citizenship being granted.
• PR cards are revoked in various circumstances by CBSA and IRCC offices, as applicable.
• Officers must revoke or cancel the PR cards in GCMS, as applicable [subsection R59(2) and section R60].
• PR cards turned in to IRCC offices are sent to PRC-Sydney for disposition and destruction.

See also

• ENF 10 – Removals (PDF, 879 KB)
• ENF 12 – Search, Seizure, Fingerprinting, and Photographing (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Surrender of PR card upon voluntary renunciation of PR status

PRs may submit an Application to Voluntarily Renounce Permanent Resident Status [IMM 5782]. Officers must follow instructions and assess the circumstances of the application to renounce PR status. After an officer has approved the application, the PR card is to be surrendered with the application forms.