ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for a PR card, you need to
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be a permanent resident
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submit your application in Canada
Note: 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). After you return to Canada, apply for a PR card.
You Should Only Apply For A PR Card If:
Your card has expired or will expire in less than 9 months
Your card is lost, stolen or destroyed and you want to replace it
You didn’t receive your card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada
You need to update your card to:
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legally change your name
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change your citizenship
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change your gender designation
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correct your date of birth
You Need To Submit A Solemn Declaration Instead Of Completing The Application If:
You have waited 6 weeks longer than the normal processing time and you still have not received your PR card or
Your PR card was lost, stolen or destroyed but you don’t want to reapply for a new one right now
You aren’t eligible for a PR card if you were asked by the Government of Canada to leave the country. If you are a Canadian citizen, you can’t have (and don’t need) a PR card. If you become a Canadian citizen, return your PR card at your citizenship ceremony.
HOW TO APPLY
01
Apply through the Permanent Residence Portal
To apply for a permanent resident (PR) card, you must submit a complete application package including all required forms.
If your application is incomplete or missing information or documents, your application will not be processed and will be returned to you by IRCC.
02
Fill out your forms
Digital application form
Fill out the Application for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5444) in the online portal.
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PDF forms you’ll upload
Mandatory
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Document Checklist [IMM 5644]: Use your checklist to make sure you include all the forms and documents you need.
Additional forms, if they apply
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Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475)
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Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier (IRM 0002)
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Confirmation of Eligibility for a Reclaimed Name Change Gratis Replacement Document Under Call to Action 17 (IRM 0004)
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Statutory Declaration to Reclaim an Indigenous Name on Canadian Citizenship Certificates or Permanent Resident Cards (IRM 0005)
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An amended birth certificate or legal change of name document
03
Pay your application fees online
You must pay a processing fee of CAN$50 when you apply for a PR card and include your receipt with your application. This is not the same account you used to submit your application. You’ll need to create a new account or log in with the payment service authorized by IRCC.
Note: Once the fee is paid, the fee is non refundable till the application is in process.
04
Submit your application online
Before you submit your application, make sure you:
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answer all questions
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sign your application and all forms
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include the receipt for your payment, and
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include all the supporting documents
05
Processing your application
Application processing time starts from when you submit a complete application with supporting documents and photos in the right format.
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If your application is approved, IRCC will mail you the PR card at your mailing address. In some cases, IRCC may ask to pick it up from one of their offices. In that case, carry your passport, or other travel document, and the original documents you submitted when you applied. If you don’t pick your card up within 180 days, IRCC will destroy it and you will have to apply for a new one.
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Contact IRCC if you’ve been waiting for longer than six weeks since your card was mailed to you.
If you changed addresses or phone numbers after you submitted your application, inform IRCC so that they can change this for you.
Note: (IRCC does not mail the PR card to a third-party or non-Canadian address.)
When you receive your new PR card, destroy your old one (if you have it) by cutting it in half. Destroy your old card even if:
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it’s expired
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it has a name you used before or
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it’s damaged
When you travel, you need a valid PR card to return to Canada by commercial vehicle, like an airplane, train, bus or boat. If your card isn’t ready before you leave Canada or if you’re travelling without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) from outside Canada. You can only apply for a PRTD from outside Canada.
