Permanent Resident Card
As a Permanent Resident of Canada, you receive PR Card that you must renew every five years in order to avoid issues while travelling outside the country.
JUMP TO SECTION: Maintaining Permanent Resident Status | Loss of Permanent Resident Status
Need to renew your Permanent Resident Card?
Permanent Residents of Canada will be issued a permanent resident card (PR) automatically on approval of their permanent residence application. To prove you are a permanent resident, you will need to show this card on every entry to Canada. If your PR card has expired, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) if you need to travel urgently.
Without a permanent resident card or travel document, you will not be able to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. It is important to check whether your PR Card is expired before travelling outside of Canada.
Who can apply for a PR Card?
Your PR card is valid for five years; even if your card expires, you will still have permanent resident status in Canada.
Your PR Card is lost, expired or stolen
You received your permanent resident status before June 28, 2002
You became a permanent resident on or after June 28, 2002, but never received a PR Card
What is a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)?
If you do not have a valid PR Card to return to Canada, you will need to apply for the issuance of a PRTD in order to travel to Canada.
To be eligible to receive a PRTD, you must meet the residency obligation of a permanent resident. In exceptional circumstances, if you cannot meet the residency obligation, you may still be able to keep your permanent resident status if you can show that there were exceptional circumstances or factors beyond your control that kept you from living in Canada.
Maintaining your Permanent Resident Status
To maintain your permanent resident status, you must comply with a residency obligation: to have at least 730 days in Canada in the five years preceding your application.
Physical presence in Canada
Accompanying a spouse or common-law partner or parent abroad, who is a Canadian citizen
Being employed abroad, on a full-time basis, by a prescribed "Canadian business" or in the public service of Canada or of a province
Accompanying a Canadian permanent resident, spouse, common-law partner or parent abroad, who is also outside of Canada and who is employed on a full-time basis, by a prescribed "Canadian business" or in the public service of Canada or of a province
There are four principal ways to meet the residency obligation:
If you do not meet any of the above, and you do not meet the residency requirement, you may be able to rely on humanitarian and compassionate grounds to renew your permanent resident card. An officer must consider any H&C grounds before determining that the person has lost their permanent resident status. If the H&C grounds are justified, it will overcome any breach of the residency obligation.
Loss of Permanent Resident Status
A person who has obtained permanent resident status must continue to maintain their status. Despite this, you don't lose this status automatically, even if you have been outside of Canada too long. You will still be considered a permanent resident until a decision has been made to remove your status is made.
There are several ways a person can lose their permanent resident status:
Become a Canadian citizen
Fail to comply with the residency obligations
A final determination that a person is not a refugee or entitled to protection
A removal order comes into force
A permanent resident voluntarily renounces permanent resident status
How can NextGen help with your PR Card?
Officers base their decision on the information and documentation provided in an application package. If you find yourself in a position where you may lose your permanent resident status, don't risk submitting an application that does not meet the necessary requirements. Speak with a licensed professional to find a secure solution that has your best interest in mind.