Last Updated:March 4, 2025
About PR Cards
Permanent Residents are issued a business card-sized Permanent Resident (PR) card. This card is required to leave and return to Canada by air, land, or sea. If you are traveling within Canada, you do not need the card, but if you are traveling by car, train, or ship to the U.S. or returning to Japan, you will need to bring your PR card with you and present it at the border or airport immigration checkpoint upon your return to Canada.
Requirements for PR card renewal
- The PR card is valid for five years.
- There is a residency obligation; the applicant must have resided in Canada for at least 730 days within the last 5 years at the time of application.
- Even if your PR card has expired, you can still apply as long as you meet the residency requirement.
【Caution】
- In special cases, such as being abroad with a spouse who is a Canadian citizen or being stationed abroad as an expatriate from a Canadian company, you may be eligible to apply even if the residency requirement is not met.
- Even if you have fulfilled the residency obligation of staying in Canada for over 730 days, you cannot renew your permanent resident status from Japan. The renewal must be processed within Canada. You will need to plan to reside in Canada for the required period before your PR card expires.
Required documents for PR card renewal
- Application forms
- Photo
- Copy of primary ID (document required for identification). *One of the following:
- Valid passport or travel document.
- A passport or travel document that you held when you obtained permanent resident status.
- A travel document issued by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs or a foreign government.
*The copy must be clear and show the document type and number, issue and expiration dates, name, photo, and date of birth.
- Photocopies of two pieces of evidence proving that you have met the residency obligation in Canada
- Photocopies of both sides of the PR card
- Receipt of the application fee payment
Urgent request for PR card renewal
You can apply for an urgent request for PR card renewal if you need to travel within 3 months for any of the following reasons:
- Work outside the country
- Business trip related to your current job
- Serious illness of your own
- Death in the family
- Serious illness of a family member
【Caution】
- An urgent request does not guarantee that your PR card will arrive on time.
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