Guide 5445 - Applying for a permanent resident card (PR card)

Permanent resident card (PR card)

The permanent resident card (PR card) is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada.

You need a PR card if:

• you are a permanent resident (including a child);
• you plan on travelling outside Canada; and
• you plan on returning to Canada by any commercial transporter, such as a plane, train, boat or bus.

If you plan to travel

If you apply for a new PR card, your current one will stop being valid 60 days after the date we issue your new card. If you leave Canada with your existing card, you won’t be able to return to Canada with it if the new one has been issued and you don’t have it. If this happens, you’ll need to apply for a PRTD to return to Canada.

Keep this in mind before making any travel arrangements after applying for a new PR card.

You can check our current processing times to estimate when we will issue your new PR card.

You must have a PR card or a PRTD to re-enter Canada by train, plane, boat or bus. If you’re travelling in a private vehicle such as a car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow or rent, you can use your PR card, PRTD or other documents to return to Canada.

The following documents are not valid for travel to Canada:

• Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)

• Use this application if you are a PR in Canada and you’re applying for your first PR card,
• renewal of your PR card that has or will soon expire,
• you legally changed your name and need to update your PR card,
• a replacement of your PR card that has been lost, stolen or damaged, or to change the gender designation on your PR card.

You’ll automatically get your first PR card by mail once you have become a permanent resident. This is part of the immigration process. You don’t need to apply for your first PR card. However, if you didn’t provide your mailing address and photo as required within 180 days of immigrating, you’ll need to apply for your first PR card. If you became a permanent resident before June 28, 2002 and never applied for a PR card, you can use this application to apply for your first PR card.

If we made an error on your PR card, you can request a reissue within 60 days. In other cases, use this application to apply for a replacement PR card.

Biometrics

Most PR card applicants do not need to give biometrics unless they were previously exempt.

However, you’ll need to give your biometrics if

• you were less than 14 years old when we received your application for permanent residence and you applied for permanent residence on or after July 31, 2018 or December 31, 2018 depending on your country of origin, and
• you’re now older than 14 years old and are applying for a new permanent resident card, a replacement or a renewal

After submitting your application, you’ll get a biometric instructions letter (BIL) which will direct you to a list of biometric collection service points you may choose from. You must bring the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point. You can’t give your biometrics without this letter.

We encourage you to give your biometrics as soon as possible after you get the BIL. We’ll start processing your application after we get your biometrics.

Find out more about biometrics.

Where to give your biometrics

You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points. As of December 3, 2019, you can go to a designated Service Canada location to give your biometrics in Canada.

Indigenous names

If you’ve reclaimed your Indigenous name, you can change the name on your PR card by applying for a new one at no cost to you until May 31, 2026. You must fill out and include the declaration below with your application:

• Statutory Declaration to Reclaim an Indigenous Name on Canadian Citizenship Certificates or Permanent Resident Cards [IRM 0005](opens in a new tab) 

Note: If you’re requesting that your PR card reflect your reclaimed indigenous name, in the payment section of the portal, upload a document stating “I have reclaimed my indigenous name, please refer to my completed declaration form” and we will waive your fees.

Read the information below to see which supporting documents you need:

If your present name is different from the name printed on your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688), you must submit:

• supporting legal documents as proof of your name change,
• supporting identity documents as requested in Step 1 and,
• provincial ID in the name requested. Identification should include the name, date of birth, photo and signature of the applicant (i.e. driver’s license, photo ID card, health card, etc.) Note: Provincial ID is not required if you have provided a legal name change document issued by a province within Canada.

Submit any of these documents issued by a civil authority in a province or territory of Canada:

• a copy of a legal change of name document, court order, adoption order, or
• one of the following documents (unless you were married in Quebec on or after April 2, 1981 and are now a resident of this province). The document must show your new name:
  • a marriage certificate;
  • divorce decree;
  • registration;
  • declaration of union;
  • revocation of declaration or annulment of union.

If you are a permanent resident and changed your name outside of Canada, submit:

• a foreign passport or other national authoritative document that shows your new name; and
• an official document linking the old and new names.

If your name change was already approved in a past PR card application, include a photocopy of your last PR card.

Immigration representatives

If you want to appoint someone to do business with us on your behalf, you must

• submit a Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (opens in a new tab) form,
• sign it by hand and get your immigration representative to do so also, and
• submit it with your application.

If you’re a representative, find out how you can create a Portal account and submit applications on behalf of your clients.

An immigration representative (an immigration consultant or lawyer) can give you advice and help you with your application for a fee. But they can’t

• open a portal account on your behalf
• electronically sign the application for you
• sign into the portal using your username and password

A representative can fill out forms and communicate with us on your behalf through their own account. They can also

• help you prepare the documents you need to upload
• answer questions about the forms

After you read the declaration, you must be the one who types your name and clicks the “submit” button. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed,” according to Canada’s immigration law.

Note: The date will be entered automatically.

The instructions below outline the documents that you must include with your application.

Use the Document Checklist [IMM 5644] (opens in new tab)  to confirm which documents you need.

Include the completed document checklist with your application.

You must submit these documents:

• Fees: Copy of the receipt showing the amount paid.
• Photo(s): You must provide photo(s) that meet the photo specifications. If not, we may return your application. Print the photo specifications (PDF, 1.24 MB) and take them with you to the photographer.
  • If you are applying online:
    • upload 1 photo taken within 12 months of the date you apply and include images of the front and back of the photo.
    • For digital photos, the information required for the back of one photograph can be provided as one separate document with a confirmation from the photo studio (e.g. receipt). This document should be uploaded in the Portal section titled “Upload your photo (back)”.
    • See how to submit a photo

      • make sure you’re in the Permanent Resident (PR) card / PR Travel Document tab at the top of the page
      • choose the “upload photo” button
      • your photo can be
        • a professional digital photo in JPEG or PNG format
        • a scanned professional photo (don’t take a picture of a paper photo with your digital camera or phone)
      • follow the directions in the photo editor window to position and crop your photo
        • click the “apply” button to validate your photo
        • your photo will show in black & white
        • you can edit and replace your photo with another photo up until when you submit it
        • you don’t have to delete the previous photo to upload a new one (it will automatically replace the previous photo)
      • check the Declaration box and click “next” to upload your photo
        • if you get a warning message that your photo doesn’t meet the requirements but you want to submit it anyway, also check the Acknowledgement box and click “Next” to continue
      • Press “submit documents” (once you do this, it can no longer be changed)

      Note: If we return your photo, you can submit a new photo through the portal. Make sure the new photo meets all the photo requirements listed in the portal before you upload a new one.

      Reasons your photo may be returned:

      • photo is too dark
      • background is not white
      • facial features not visible
      • glare on photo
      • measurements are not between 715x1000 and 2000x2800 pixels
      • file size is above 4MB
      • other reasons – see photo requirements for details
  • If you are applying by paper:
    • You will need two (2) identical photos taken within twelve (12) months of the date of this application:
      • put the two (2) photos in a small envelope (no staples or paper clips), and
      • write the name of the applicant on the envelope.
• Proof showing that you meet the residency obligation in the past five (5) years immediately before the application. Please refer to Appendix A: Residency Obligation.

• A copy of one of the following primary identity documents:

  • your valid passport or travel document or
  • the passport or travel document you had when you became a permanent resident (if applicable, include the passport page that was stamped when you arrived in Canada and became a permanent resident) or
  • the certificate of identity or travel document issued by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or a foreign country.

  Note: The copy should show:

  • the document type and number;
  • issue and expiry date;
  • your name;
  • your photo; and
  • your date of birth

In exceptional cases, if it is impossible for you to obtain any of the above, you must provide a:

• copy of any identity document issued outside Canada before you came to Canada or
• statutory declaration signed by you attesting to your identity and a statutory declaration also attesting to your identity signed by:
  • a person who knew you before you came to Canada (such as a family member) or
  • an official of an organization representing people from your country of nationality or past residence.

All statutory declarations must be certified by an accredited commissioner of oaths. Provincial laws govern who can act in this position.

If you are submitting a statutory declaration, you must also provide a clear and legible copy of a letter explaining

• that there are exceptional circumstances in your home country,
• what these circumstances are, and
• how they are stopping you from getting any identity documents.

Note: In the Portal, upload your primary document (like your passport) by selecting “Passport or Other Primary ID Document” from the Document type dropdown menu.

We may contact you for more information or ask you to provide more documents.

Your PR card

If you are applying to renew your present card, include a copy of it with your application. Once you get your new card destroy your old card immediately.

If you are applying online to replace a damaged card, please destroy your card immediately and upload a photo as proof with your supporting documents. If you are applying by paper, send the damaged card with your application.

If we ask you to come to a local IRCC office, you must bring your old card and the original documents of the copies you had included with your application. We will ask you to destroy your old card after you get the new one.

If you lost your PR card, include a copy of a police report or incident number with your application, if you have one.

Additional documents you may need to complete and submit, if they apply:

• To be considered on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, include supporting documents that support your request to keep your permanent residence. See the “Humanitarian and compassionate grounds” section of the instruction guide for more information.
• Legal change of name: copy of supporting legal documentation as proof of your name change. Consult the Legal Name Change section for detailed information.

You’ll fill out this digital form online

• Application for a Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Travel Document (IMM 5444)

Digitally sign your application

• You must type your full name exactly as shown on your passport to digitally sign your application.

If you need more space, include another sheet of paper with your application and at the top of the page, print your name and the number of the question you are answering clearly in black.

If you are applying online, you will fill out and upload these PDF forms into the Portal. If you are applying by paper you will need to complete these PDF forms and include it with your mailed application.

• Document Checklist [IMM 5644] (opens in new tab) 

Additional forms (if they apply)

• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (opens in new tab) , or Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) (opens in new tab) 
  • you and your immigration representative must sign the IMM 5476 by hand
  • find out more about using a representative
• Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002) (opens in new tab) 
• Confirmation of Eligibility for a Reclaimed Name Change Gratis Replacement Document Under Call to Action 17 (IRM 0004) (opens in new tab) 
• Statutory Declaration to Reclaim an Indigenous Name on Canadian Citizenship Certificates or Permanent Resident Cards (IRM 0005) (opens in new tab) 

 It is a serious offence to give false or misleading information on these forms. The information you provide on your application may be verified.

You must pay a processing fee when you apply. Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid or visit the Pay your fees page. You must include your proof of payment with your application.

Find out if you need to give biometrics.

The processing fee will not be refunded:

• once we have started processing your application, or
• if your application is refused.

If you apply online

When applying online, submit your application and all supporting documents through the Permanent Residence Portal.

If you submit a paper application

Make sure you have included the Document Checklist [IMM 5644] (opens in new tab)  and all the necessary documents with your application.

You may qualify for urgent processing of your application.

If you are applying online and your request is urgent, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Portal.

If you are applying on paper and requesting urgent processing, write "Urgent" on your envelope.

Provide your date of travel and include a supporting document explaining why.

You must show that you need your PR card to travel within the next three months for one of these reasons:

• your own serious illness;
• the serious illness or death of a family member;
• work, related to your current job or job opportunity; or
• you are in a crisis, emergency, or a vulnerable situation.

You must include all the following documents to show you need urgent processing:

• a copy of proof of travel such as tickets or an itinerary showing the destination and dates you will be travelling;
• a copy of proof of payment for travel showing the date, full amount and method of payment;
• a letter explaining the reason for the urgency; and
• proof of urgency (i.e., a doctor’s note, death certificate, letter from employer, etc.)

You must provide the English or French translation for any documents that are not English or French. See the section translation of documents.

If you do not send all of this information, we may not process your application urgently.

Note: We cannot process applications for PR cards in less than 3 weeks. If you don’t receive your new PR card before you travel abroad, you can submit an application for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).

Note: If you do not send all this information, we may not process your application urgently. If you qualify, we cannot guarantee that you will get your PR card on time.

After you submit your application, you can expect to hear from us when your application is in review or has been finalized.

• If your application is properly completed and you meet the requirements for a PR card
  • If you gave us a valid email address, we will send you an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AoR) of your application to your email address;
  • you will get your card in the mail or we will contact you by email or letter to let you know when and where to pick up your card.
  • If we ask you to pick up your PR card in person, you must bring your old card and the original documents of the copies you included with your application.

Important: A PR card cannot be issued and delivered overseas to allow for a permanent resident to come back to Canada. A PR outside Canada without a status document must apply for a PRTD.

If your application is incomplete:

• Your application will be returned to you.

If your application is refused:

• You will receive a refusal letter, explaining the reasons.

If your application is withdrawn:

• You will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the withdrawal.

There are several ways we may communicate with you:

• Through your (or your representative’s) online account: We recommend that you or your authorized paid representative (if applicable) create an online account and link your application to that account. Once an application has been linked to an online account, we will send correspondence there. This makes communication easier, more secure, and quicker and will allow you or your representative to get more detailed application status information and to receive mail from us online. Using online services will ensure that you receive any correspondence from us almost immediately after we send it to you. This will allow us to input your responses directly into your application for timely review.
• E-mail: If you or your representative provide us with an e-mail address when you apply, this will be our primary means of contacting you, unless your application is linked to an online account.
• Mail: If your application is not linked to an online account and no email is provided, we will send all correspondence to the most up-to-date mailing address we have on file.

Important: Do not attempt to link your application to your personal online account if you have appointed a representative. If you have appointed a representative and attempt to link your application to your own online account, you will have to cancel your representative before you can link.

If you have an authorized paid representative, they can link your application to their own online account instead.

Unpaid representatives cannot use online accounts. If you have an unpaid representative, you should remind them to regularly monitor their email and mail to ensure correspondence is received.

Checking application status

You may contact us or go online to see the current status of your application.

To obtain details on how to remove your application status information from the Internet, visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section.

If you have been a permanent resident for less than five (5) years

• you must show that you will be able to meet the minimum of 730 days of physical presence in Canada within five (5) years of the date you became a permanent resident.

Supporting documents showing that you meet the residency obligation

• You must provide copies of 2 pieces of evidence that can show you have met the residency in Canada in the five (5) years immediately before the application, or since becoming a PR if it has been less than 5 years. Some examples include:
  • employment records or pay stubs;
  • bank statements;
  • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment for the five (5) years immediately before the application
  • evidence that you received benefits from Canadian government programs;
  • rental agreements;
  • club memberships;
  • or any other documents that prove you met your residency obligation.

Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned to you.

Travel journal

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

Time spent outside Canada

You must provide all your absences from Canada in the past 5 years (or since becoming a permanent resident if less than five 5 years ago) in the table provided on the IMM 5444 application.

Consult the step by step instructions on how to complete the table “Time Spent Outside Canada" on the form.

If you have spent fewer than 1095 days outside Canada, submitting the supporting documents listed below is not mandatory. However, failing to provide them may impact the assessment of your residency obligation.

If you were outside Canada for more than 1095 days, you may count days you spent outside Canada towards the days required for you to meet the residency obligation in these situations:

Situation A. Employment outside Canada

You may count each day you worked outside Canada if:

• you are an employee of, or under contract to, a Canadian business or the public service of Canada or of a Canadian province or territory and
• as a term of your job or contract, you are assigned on a full-time basis to:
  • a position outside Canada
  • an affiliated enterprise outside Canada or
  • a client of the Canadian business or the public service outside Canada; and
• you will continue working for the employer in Canada after the assignment.

For this application, a Canadian business is defined as:

• a corporation that is incorporated under the laws of Canada or of a province and that has an ongoing operation in Canada
• an enterprise that:
  • has an ongoing operation in Canada
  • is capable of generating revenue
  • is carried out in anticipation of profit
  • in which a majority of voting or ownership interests is held by Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Canadian businesses as defined above or
• an organization or enterprise created by the laws of Canada or a province

Supporting documents:

• You must provide a letter signed by an official of the business that confirms:
  • the position and title of the signing official;
  • the nature of the business and how it fits the description of a Canadian business (see definition above);
  • details of your assignment or contract outside Canada such as:
    • length of the assignment;
    • confirmation that you are a full-time employee of the “Canadian business” working abroad on a full-time basis as a term of your employment, or that you are on contract working abroad on a full-time basis as a term of your contract; and
    • a description or copy of the position profile regarding the assignment or contract abroad;
  • that you will continue working for the employer in Canada after your assignment ends; and
  • that the business was not created mainly for the purpose of meeting your residency obligation.
• You may also include:
  • articles of incorporation and business licenses
  • partnership agreements or corporate annual reports
  • corporate Canadian Income Tax Notices of Assessment or financial statements
  • copies of the Employee Assignment Agreement or Contract
  • copies of any agreements between the Canadian business and the business or client outside Canada concerning your assignment to that client or business
  • pay statements
  • Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the five years immediately before the application
  • T4 slips
  • any other proof you want us to consider

Situation B. Accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada

You may count each day you accompanied a Canadian citizen outside Canada as long as this person is your spouse, common-law partner or parent (if you were a child under 19 years of age before October 24, 2017 or under 22 years of age after October 24, 2017).

Proof needed

You must provide supporting documents to prove that:

• The person you are accompanying is a Canadian citizen; and
• You are the spouse, common-law partner or child of that person.

Supporting documents may include:

• Mandatory:
  • all passports or other travel documents that the person you are accompanying used in the five (5) years before the application;
  • documents showing the citizenship of the person you are accompanying, including the date the person became a Canadian citizen;
  • proof of the residential addresses of the person you are accompanying for the five (5) years before the application;
  • marriage licence or proof of common-law partnership (if you are accompanying a spouse or common-law partner);
  • child’s birth certificate, baptismal document, or adoption or legal guardianship document (if you are accompanying a parent);
• You may also include:
  • Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the past two (2) years
  • school or employment records;
  • association or club memberships;
  • any other documents you want us to consider.

Situation C. Accompanying a permanent resident outside Canada

You may count each day you accompanied a permanent resident outside Canada as long as:

• the person you accompanied is your spouse, common-law partner or parent (if you were a child under 19 years of age before October 24, 2017 or under 22 years of age after October 24, 2017); and
• the person was employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a Canadian province or territory during the time you accompanied them.

Proof needed

You must provide supporting documents to prove that:

• The person you are accompanying is a permanent resident;
• You are the spouse, common-law partner or child of that person; and
• The permanent resident you are accompanying meets the residency obligation.

Supporting documents may include:

• Mandatory:
  • documents showing the person you are accompanying meets the residency obligation;
  • all passports or other travel documents the person you are accompanying used in the five (5) years before the application;
  • marriage license or proof of common-law partnership (if you are accompanying a permanent resident spouse or common-law partner);
  • child’s birth certificate, baptismal document, or adoption or legal guardianship document (if you are accompanying a permanent resident parent);
• You may also include:
  • School or employment records;
  • Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment;
  • association or club memberships;
  • any other documents you want us to consider.