PERMANENT RESIDENT
TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Your essential document for travel back to Canada without a PR card
Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and show their valid permanent resident card (PR card) or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier.
If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada. It is your responsibility to make sure your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada and to apply for a new PR card before your current card expires.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Who Is Eligible To Apply For Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)
You are eligible to apply for Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) if you are a permanent resident (PR) outside Canada who does not have a valid Permanent Resident card (PR card) to return to Canada. The permanent resident travel document (PRTD) is a temporary official document proving your status as a PR in Canada. It proves to transportation companies that you’re allowed to travel to Canada as a permanent resident if you don’t have a valid PR card in your possession.
You are eligible for PRTD if:
You are a PR outside Canada without a valid PR card
You plan to travel to Canada by any commercial transporter, such as a plane, train, boat or bus and
You need to apply to renew or replace your PR card when you return to Canada
You meet the residency obligation of a permanent resident
You are not in a possession of a valid PR card
You are not a Canadian citizen
You are not a permanent resident who wants to voluntarily give up (renounce) their PR status
You have not lost your PR status.
Note: If you’re travelling in a private vehicle such as a car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow or rent, you can use your PR card, PRTD or other documents to return to Canada. To know more about other documents visit the following link https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html
Who Should Not Apply For A Permanent Resident Travel Document?
Canadian citizens
Foreign Nationals who do not have PR status
Permanent residents with a valid PR card in their possession
Permanent residents who want to voluntarily give up (renounce) their permanent residence status
Past Permanent Residents who have lost their PR status
Note: Permanent residents inside Canada should apply for a PR card online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
What are the requirements?
To apply for a PRTD you need to:
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Prove who you are;
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Confirm your PR status; and
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Meet the residency obligation of a permanent resident.
Use the Document Checklist (IMM 5644) to make sure you have all the documents needed. Send the checklist with your application.You can check the document checklist (IMM 5644) by clicking on the following link.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/imm5644.html
The following documents are not valid for travel to Canada:
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Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
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Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
HOW TO APPLY
01
Get Your Supporting Documents
Use the Document Checklist (IMM 5644) to confirm which documents you need.
You must complete and submit the following documents:
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Copy of your current and valid passport.
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Copies of all pages of the passport(s) or travel document(s) used in the past five (5) years immediately before the application, including your valid passport or travel document. Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned to you. Please ensure these are legible, to avoid delays in processing.
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Proof showing that you have met the residency obligation in the past five (5) years immediately before the application or since becoming a PR if it has been less than 5 years.
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Fees: Copy of the receipt showing the amount paid.
Note: If any of the required documents are missing, or copies are not clear, your application will be returned to you.
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Additional forms and supporting documents to include, if they apply:
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Authorization to travel for minors – Provide parent or legal guardian permission to travel and documents giving consent for children to travel as unaccompanied minors.
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Note: Children under 18 years of age who are travelling alone must carry written information about the person who will be responsible for them. If a child in this application is under a custody order or is travelling with one parent, you must provide proof of custody or the other parent's consent for the trip. Children travelling without their custodial parent(s) need a letter of permission to travel from the non-accompanying parent(s).
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To be considered on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, include supporting documents that support your request to keep your permanent residence. See the "Humanitarian and compassionate grounds" section of the instruction guide for more information.
If you’re applying from China and have a Chinese passport
You must include an “Inquiry of Exit & Entry Record” from China.
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It must show a record of your entry to and exit from China for 5 years before the date of your application.
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You can get the document from the local Public Security Bureau.
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Make sure you translate the document to English or French.
02
Fill Out The Forms
Fill out the following digital form online through the Permanent Residence Portal
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Application for a Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Travel Document (IMM 5444E)
You must type your full name exactly as shown on your passport to digitally sign your application.
Note: If you cannot apply online and require accommodations, including for accessibility reasons, you can apply by paper.
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If you are applying by paper you will need to complete the following PDF forms and include it with your mailed application.
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Document Checklist [IMM 5644]
Additional forms (if they apply):
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Use of a Representative [IMM 5476], or
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You and your immigration representative must sign this by hand
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Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475]
03
Pay Your Fees
Application (per person) $CAN
Permanent resident travel document $50
You must pay a processing fee when you apply. Visit the Pay your fees page for instructions on how to complete payment online. Click the following link for instructions on complete payment.
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/index.asp
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In order to retrieve payment instructions on the webpage, select the country you are paying from, then under the application you are submitting select “permanent residence,” and under the document you are applying for select “permanent resident travel document.”
You must include the payment receipt with your application.
The processing fee will not be refunded:
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Once IRCC starts processing your application, or
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If your application is refused.
04
Submit Your Application
If you apply online
When applying online, submit your application and all supporting documents through the Permanent Residence Portal.
If you submit a paper application
If you choose to submit your application on paper, and the country you’re applying from supports paper applications, submit your application to your nearest visa application centre (VAC).
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In a sealed envelope, submit:
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All supporting documents;
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Your completed Application for a Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Travel Document (IMM 5444)
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The Document Checklist (IMM 5644)
You must provide all information and documents when you submit your application.
To find out where to submit your application, visit Apply for a permanent resident travel document by clicking the following link https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-travel-document/how-to-apply.html
What Happens Next?
An officer will decide if you are eligible for a PRTD. A decision is usually made without a personal interview and is based on your application, information and documents submitted.
If your application is complete and you meet the requirements:
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IRCC might issue a PRTD counterfoil in your passport.
The PRTD is all you need from the visa office for re-entry to Canada.
If your application is incomplete:
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Your application will be returned to you.
If your application for a PRTD is refused:
You will get a refusal letter, explaining the reasons for the refusal and your appeal rights.
Urgent Processing For Your PRTD Application
If you are applying online and your request is urgent, check “Yes, my request is urgent” in the portal.
If you are applying on paper and requesting urgent processing, write "Urgent" on your envelope.
Provide your date of travel and include a supporting document explaining why.
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You must show that you will be travelling within the next 5 days for one of these reasons:
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Your own serious illness;
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The serious illness or death of a family member;
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Lost/stolen Permanent Resident card while on temporary travel outside of Canada
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You are in a crisis, emergency, or a vulnerable situation;
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other
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You must include all the following documents to show you need urgent processing:
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A letter explaining the reason for the urgency with your date of travel; and
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Proof of urgency (i.e. a doctor's note, death certificate, etc.)
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You must provide the English or French translation for any documents that are not English or French.
Note: If you do not send all the above information, IRCC may not process your application urgently. If you qualify, IRCC still doesn’t guarantee that you will get your PRTD on time.
RESIDENCY OBLIGATION
Calculating days present in Canada
You must meet the residency obligation to qualify for a PRTD.
If you have been a permanent resident for five (5) years or more
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You must have been physically present in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within the five (5) years immediately before you apply for a PRTD.
If you have been a permanent resident for less than five (5) years
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You must show that you will be able to meet the minimum of 730 days of physical presence in Canada within five (5) years of the date you became a permanent resident.
Supporting documents showing that you meet the residency obligation
You must provide copies of 2 pieces of evidence that can show you have met the residency obligation in Canada in the five (5) years immediately before the application or since becoming a PR if it has been less than five (5) years. Some examples include :
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Employment records or pay stubs;
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Bank statements;
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Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment for the five (5) years immediately before the application
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Evidence that you received benefits from Canadian government programs;
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Rental agreements;
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Club memberships;
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Or any other documents that prove you met your residency obligation.
Note: Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned to you.
Time spent outside Canada
If you were outside Canada for more than 1095 days, you may count days you spent outside Canada toward the days required for you to meet the residency obligation in these cases:
Situation A. Employment Outside Canada
You may count each day you worked outside Canada if your employment meets the following requirements:
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You are an employee of, or under contract to:
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A Canadian business
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The public service of Canada
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A province or territory and
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As a term of your employment or contract, you are assigned on a full-time basis to:
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A position outside Canada
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An affiliated enterprise outside Canada or
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A client of the Canadian business or the public service outside Canada
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For this application, a Canadian business is defined as:
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A corporation that is incorporated under the laws of Canada or of a province and that has an ongoing operation in Canada
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An enterprise that:
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Has an ongoing operation in Canada
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Is able to generate revenue
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Is carried out in anticipation of profit
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In which a majority of voting or ownership interests is held by Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Canadian businesses as defined above or
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An organization or enterprise created by the laws of Canada or a province
Supporting Documents
You must provide a letter signed by an official of the business that confirms:
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The position and title of the signing official;
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The nature of the business and how it fits the description of a Canadian business (see definition above);
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Details of your assignment or contract outside Canada such as:
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Length of the assignment;
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Confirmation that you are a full-time employee of the "Canadian business" working abroad on a full-time basis as a term of your employment, or that you are on contract working abroad on a full-time basis as a term of your contract; and
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A description or copy of the position profile regarding the assignment or contract abroad;
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That you will continue working for the employer in Canada after your assignment ends; and
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That the business was not created mainly for the purpose of meeting your residency obligation.
You may also include:
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Articles of incorporation and business licences
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Partnership agreements or corporate annual reports
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Corporate Canadian Income Tax Notices of Assessment or financial statements
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Copies of the Employee Assignment Agreement or Contract
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Copies of any agreements between the Canadian business and the business or client outside Canada concerning your assignment to that client or business
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Pay statements
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Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the five years immediately before the application
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T4 slips
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Any other proof you would want IRCC to consider
Situation B. Accompanying A Canadian Citizen Outside Canada
You may count each day you accompanied a Canadian citizen outside Canada as long as this person is your spouse, common-law partner or parent (if you were a child under 19 years of age before October 24, 2017 or under 22 years of age after October 24, 2017).
Proof Needed
You must provide supporting documents to prove that:
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The person you are accompanying is a Canadian citizen; and
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You are the spouse, common-law partner or child of that person.
Supporting Documents
Mandatory:
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All passports or other travel documents that the person you are accompanying used in the five (5) years before the application;
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Documents showing the citizenship of the person you are accompanying, including the date the person became a Canadian citizen;
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Proof of the residential addresses of the person you are accompanying for the five (5) years before the application;
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Marriage licence or proof of common-law partnership (if you are accompanying a spouse or common-law partner);
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Child's birth certificate, baptismal document, or adoption or legal guardianship document (if you are accompanying a parent);
You may also include:
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Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the past two (2) years
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School or employment records;
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Association or club memberships;
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Any other documents you want IRCC to consider.
Situation C. Accompanying A Permanent Resident Outside Canada
You may count each day you accompanied a permanent resident outside Canada as long as:
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The person you accompanied is your spouse, common-law partner or parent (if you were a child under 19 years of age before October 24, 2017 or under 22 years of age after October 24, 2017); and
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The person was employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province or territory during the time you accompanied them.
Proof Needed
You must provide supporting documents to prove that:
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The person you are accompanying is a permanent resident;
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You are the spouse, common-law partner or child of that person; and
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The permanent resident you are accompanying meets the residency obligation.
Supporting Documents
Mandatory:
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Documents showing the person you are accompanying meets the residency obligation;
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All passports or other travel documents the person you are accompanying used in the five (5) years before the application
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Marriage licence or proof of common-law partnership (if you are accompanying a permanent resident spouse or common-law partner);
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Child's birth certificate, baptismal document, or adoption or legal guardianship document (if you are accompanying a permanent resident parent);
You may also include:
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School or employment records;
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Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment;
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Association or club memberships;
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Any other documents you want IRCC to consider.
Humanitarian And Compassionate Grounds
If you cannot meet the residency obligation, it may still be possible to keep your status as a permanent resident of Canada. To assess your application on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, you must show that there were exceptional circumstances or factors beyond your control that have kept you living outside Canada.
Factors that might be acceptable are unusual and undeserved, or disproportionate hardships you would face if you lost your permanent resident status.
To have your application considered on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, you must:
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Answer question 5.7 on the application form;
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Provide proof that there are compelling humanitarian and compassionate factors in your personal circumstances that justify keeping your permanent resident status;
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Describe why you were not able to meet the residency obligation;
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Describe the extent of any hardship the loss of residency status would cause to:
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Yourself;
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Family members who would be directly affected by this decision; and
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The best interests of any child directly affected by this decision, if this applies to you.
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While there are no guidelines about the supporting documents to submit, you must provide documents and information on any aspect of your exceptional circumstances that would justify keeping your permanent resident status.
An officer will consider the factors of your case and will make a decision based on the information and documents you provide with your application.
