Apply urgently for a permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document

I’m leaving Canada in less than 3 weeks, and I haven’t applied for a PR card yet.

We can’t process a PR card application in less than 3 weeks. However, you can apply urgently for a PRTD once

• you’re outside Canada and
• your flight back to Canada is leaving within the next 5 days

A PRTD lets you re-enter Canada if you don’t have a valid PR card.

Without a PR card or a PRTD, you can travel to Canada only by land using a private vehicle , like a car.

How to apply urgently for a PRTD

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PRTD application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of the urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

• Find out what happens after you apply for a PRTD (opens in a new tab) .
• When you return to Canada, apply for your PR card (opens in a new tab) .

I’m leaving Canada in less than 3 weeks, and I already applied for a PR card but won’t get it before I need to leave.

We can’t process a PR card application in less than 3 weeks. However, you can apply urgently for a PRTD once

• you’re outside Canada and
• your flight back to Canada is leaving within the next 5 days

A PRTD lets you re-enter Canada if you don’t have a valid PR card.

Without a PR card or a PRTD, you can travel to Canada only by land using a private vehicle, like a car.

How to apply urgently for a PRTD

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PRTD application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of the urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “ Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

Find out what happens after you apply for a PRTD (opens in a new tab) .

I’m leaving Canada in less than 3 weeks, and I can’t find my PR card.

We can’t process a PR card application in less than 3 weeks. However, you can apply urgently for a PRTD once

• you’re outside Canada and
• your flight back to Canada is leaving within the next 5 days

A PRTD lets you re-enter Canada if you don’t have a valid PR card.

Without a PR card or a PRTD, you can travel to Canada only by land using a private vehicle, like a car.

How to apply urgently for a PRTD

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PRTD application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of the urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “ Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

• Find out what happens after you apply for a PRTD (opens in a new tab) .
• When you return to Canada, if you still can’t find your PR card
  • apply to have your card replaced (opens in a new tab) 
  • fill out section 6 of your application (details concerning a lost, stolen, damaged or never-received PR card)
    • Provide a detailed explanation of what happened to your PR card.

I’m leaving Canada in more than 3 weeks, and I haven’t applied for a PR card

You can apply urgently for a PR card. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PR card application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of the urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “ Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

When your card is ready, we usually mail it to you. Sometimes, we may ask you to pick it up at a local IRCC office.

If you don’t get your PR card before you travel, find out how to return to Canada without a PR card (opens in a new tab) .

Find out what happens after you apply for a PR card (opens in a new tab) .

I’m leaving Canada in more than 3 weeks, and I recently applied for a PR card.

Check your application status online (opens in a new tab) .

If your application is already in process

1. Go to our web form (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include your email address under “Enquirer information”.
3. Upload all these documents in the web form:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
4. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
5. Submit the web form.

After you submit the web form

We’ll review the information and documents you sent. If your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

When your card is ready, we usually mail it to you. Sometimes, we may ask you to pick it up at a local IRCC office.

If your application isn’t showing in the application status tool

If your application isn’t showing, and you haven’t received an acknowledgement of receipt, follow the steps below to submit a new application.

1. Prepare a new PR card application (opens in a new tab) .
   • You must resubmit all documents with the new application, such as
     • another set of photos
     • all your supporting documents
     • certified copies of documents, if applicable
2. You also need to include all these documents:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of the urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

When your card is ready, we usually mail it to you. Sometimes, we may ask you to pick it up at a local IRCC office.

If you don’t receive your PR card before you travel, find out how to how to return to Canada without a PR card (opens in a new tab) .

Find out what happens after you apply for a PR card (opens in a new tab) .

I’m leaving Canada in more than 3 weeks, and I can’t find my PR card.

You can apply urgently for a PR card. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PR card application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Fill out section 6 of your application (details concerning a lost, stolen, damaged or never-received PR card).
   • Provide a detailed explanation of what happened to your PR card.
3. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
4. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
5. If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
6. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

When your card is ready, we usually mail it to you. Sometimes, we may ask you to pick it up at a local IRCC office.

If you don’t receive your PR card before you travel, find out how to how to return to Canada without a PR card (opens in a new tab) .

Find out what happens after you apply for a PR card (opens in a new tab) .

I’m outside Canada, and I don’t have my valid PR card with me

You can’t apply for a PR card outside Canada.

You can apply urgently for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) if you’re travelling back to Canada within the next 5 days.

• A PRTD will let you re-enter Canada if you don’t have a PR card.
• Without a PR card or a PRTD, you can travel to Canada only by land in a private vehicle, like a car.

How to apply urgently for a PRTD

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PRTD application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

• Find out what happens after you apply for a PRTD (opens in a new tab) .
• When you return to Canada, apply for your PR card (opens in a new tab) .

I’m outside Canada, and my PR card expired while I was travelling.

You can’t apply for a PR card outside Canada.

You can apply urgently for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) if you’re travelling back to Canada within the next 5 days.

• A PRTD will let you re-enter Canada if you don’t have a PR card.
• Without a PR card or a PRTD, you can travel to Canada only by land in a private vehicle, like a car.

How to apply urgently for a PRTD

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PRTD application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

• Find out what happens after you apply for a PRTD (opens in a new tab) .
• When you return to Canada, apply for your PR card (opens in a new tab) .

I’m outside Canada, and my PR card was lost or stolen while I was travelling.

You can’t apply for a PR card outside Canada.

You can apply urgently for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) if you’re travelling back to Canada within the next 5 days.

• A PRTD will let you re-enter Canada if you don’t have a PR card.
• Without a PR card or a PRTD, you can travel to Canada only by land in a private vehicle, like a car.

How to apply urgently for a PRTD

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your PRTD application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Include all these documents with your application:
   • proof of travel that shows your destination and travel dates, such as
     • your itinerary
     • a copy of your ticket
   • a copy of the receipt for your trip that shows the
     • date
     • amount paid
     • payment method
   • a letter that explains the reason for the urgency
   • proof of urgency, such as a
     • doctor’s note
     • death certificate
     • letter from your employer
   • if applicable, English or French translations of your documents
3. Check that your documents are clear and easy to read.
   • If they aren’t, we’ll need to ask you to resubmit your documents. This will delay your application.
4. Tell us that your application is urgent.
   • If you’re applying online, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the Permanent Residence Portal.
   • If you need to apply on paper, write “urgent” on the envelope.

How we process your application

We’ll review your application. If you forget to include proof of urgency, or if your situation doesn’t qualify for urgent processing, we’ll process your application normally.

• Find out what happens after you apply for a PRTD (opens in a new tab) .
• When you return to Canada, if you still can’t find your PR card
  • apply to have your card replaced
  • fill out section 6 of your application (details concerning a lost, stolen, damaged or never-received PR card)
    • Provide a detailed explanation of what happened to your PR card.

You are not eligible for urgent processing.

You can follow the regular process to apply for

• a PR card (if you’re in Canada)
• a PRTD (if you’re outside Canada without a valid PR card)