How to Apply for a PR Card (Permanent Resident Card)
New permanent residents get their first PR cardPermanent Resident Card — The official proof of Canadian permanent resident status, needed for travel back to Canada on commercial vehicles.Click for official info ↗ automatically after they land. You do not need to apply for it. The first card is free if you send your photo and address within 180 days of becoming a PR. Renewals and replacements use form IMM 5444, usually completed online through the Permanent Residence Portal (paper only if you cannot apply online). They cost $50 and take about 30 days for a first card and about 40 days for a renewal. You must be in Canada to apply, and you must be in Canada to get the card.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $50 for renewals/replacements (first card free)
- Total time:
- About 30 days (first card) / 40 days (renewal); check current times
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- canada.ca
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Know when you do and do not apply
You do NOT apply for your first card. IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ mails it to you automatically after you land as a PR. Allow up to 180 days. Did you move? Update your address within 180 days of landing, using the IRCC web form. You DO apply for renewals (cards expire every 5 years) and replacements (lost, stolen, damaged, or a legal name change). You must be in Canada in person when you apply. You must also be in Canada when the card is delivered.
Click to mark as done
- Go 30 min to gather records
Meet the residency obligation
To renew, you must have been in Canada in person for at least 730 days in the last 5 years. Or you must be within 5 years of landing and on track to reach that number. Some days outside Canada can also count. For example, days spent working abroad for a Canadian company. Or days spent travelling with a Canadian citizen. IRCC checks this. Keep your travel records, boarding passes, and job letters.
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- Fill / Prepare 1–2 hours
Complete form IMM 5444
The form asks for your personal history. It asks for your addresses for the last 5 years, your jobs, and your travel history. List every absence from Canada, with dates. Do not sign the form yet. Sign it only when and how the instruction guide tells you. Complete any sections for a representative too.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay 1 day + mail time
Pay the $50 fee and submit online
Apply online through the Permanent Residence Portal. Complete form IMM 5444 there, upload your photos and a copy of your passport bio page, and pay online with the IRCC payment tool. Keep your submission confirmation. Paper applications by mail to the PR Card Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia are only for people who cannot apply online and need an accommodation.
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- Wait About 30–40 days
Wait and watch for the decision letter
A first card takes about 30 days and a renewal about 40 days. These are IRCC's current processing times. Check the latest time before you apply, because times change. IRCC may ask for more documents. This is called a "document request letter". Reply by the deadline, or your application closes. You can check your status online with your UCI or application number.
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- Follow Up Varies
If your card expires while abroad
A PR card is only a travel document. You use it to return to Canada on a commercial carrier, like a plane or a bus. Did your card expire while you are outside Canada? Apply for a Permanent ResidentCanadian permanent resident — Someone granted the right to live and work anywhere in Canada permanently, without being a citizen.Click for official info ↗ Travel Document (PRTD) at the nearest visa office. You must still meet the 730-day rule. Do not board a flight to Canada without a valid PR card or a PRTD.
Click to mark as done
- Receive —
Activate your card
Your new PR card arrives by mail at your Canadian address. It works right away. You do not need to activate it. Check the name and the expiry date. Keep your landing paper (Confirmation of Permanent Residence / COPRConfirmation of Permanent Residence — The document (now usually electronic, eCOPR) proving you were approved for Canadian permanent residence.Click for official info ↗) forever. It is your legal proof of status, even if you lose the card.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel with an expired PR card?
No. You cannot use it to come back to Canada on a commercial carrier. Airlines ask for a valid PR card or a PRTD before you board. To return without a valid card, apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at the nearest visa office.
I did not get my first card after landing. What do I do?
Has it been 180 days since you landed, with no card? Send the IRCC web form with your landing details. The most common cause is an old address. Update your address with IRCC right away.
My card was lost or stolen. Is the replacement process the same?
Yes. But you must also report the loss. Use the same IMM 5444 form. Tick "replacement". Include the fee. Was it stolen? Add the police report number if you have one.
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