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Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Card
How to get your PR Card upon arrival if you are a Permanent Resident
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Permanent residents (PRs) must have a valid PR card to be able return to Canada after leaving the country. It is thus advisable not to leave Canada without your PR card. However, if you don't wait till you receive it, you can have someone mail it or get it to you in the country where you are at.
You have to make sure your PR card is not expired when you need to use it. Keep in mind that even though your PR card is not valid, you still remain a permanent resident.
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It usually takes two months to get your first PR card, starting from the date your application is complete (check the processing times here). You don't need to apply for your first PR card, however, you need to provide your Canadian address for the application to be complete. There are three ways you can provide your address:
If the PR card expires, it does not mean that your permanent residence status expires too. To maintain your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days do not need to be continuous.
You can apply for a new PR card if:
If your PR card isn’t ready before you leave Canada or if you’re outside Canada without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).
- At landing, to the immigration officer.
- After landing using this webform, or
- After landing by phone at 1-888-242-2100 (only inside Canada, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM).
If the PR card expires, it does not mean that your permanent residence status expires too. To maintain your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days do not need to be continuous.
You can apply for a new PR card if:
- the card expires in less than 9 months or has already expired,
- the card is stolen, lost or destroyed,
- you have not received your card within 180 days of your arrival in Canada,
- you need to update your card (legal change of name, citizenship, sex designation, or correction of your date of birth).
If your PR card isn’t ready before you leave Canada or if you’re outside Canada without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).
