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Immigration guides

How to renew your PR card: when to apply, the $50 fee, photos and timing

Renew when less than nine months remain, apply from inside Canada and plan around the three-week minimum.

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When to renew

A PR card is usually valid for five years, and in some cases for one year. IRCC says to renew if the card will expire in less than nine months or has already expired; the new card has a new expiry date. An expired card does not end your permanent resident status, and you can stay in Canada, but some provincial services may ask for a valid card. To return to Canada by airplane, boat, train or bus you need a valid card or, from outside Canada, a permanent resident travel document.

Who can get a card

You must have permanent resident status, be in Canada, because IRCC does not mail PR cards outside Canada, and not have lost your status, for example through a removal order, becoming a citizen or failing to meet the residence requirement. When you renew, IRCC asks when and for how long you left Canada during your PR status, for up to five years, so prepare your travel history before you start.

How to apply

Start in the Permanent Residence Portal and fill out the PR card application (IMM 5444). Complete the document checklist (IMM 5644) and upload it, along with any other forms your situation needs. Sign electronically by typing your full name exactly as it appears on your passport. Fees are not paid in the portal: pay the $50 fee online, then upload the receipt to the fee payment section. Refunds are not possible while the application is in progress.

Book a professional photo

Use a commercial photographer and bring the IRCC specifications for your application type. Use a photo taken within the previous 12 months that reflects your current appearance. Face the camera with shoulders square, eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression. Use a plain white background, even lighting and a sharp, unaltered image. Check for shadows, glare and anything obscuring the face.

Upload the photo and studio details

Complete IMM 5444 before opening the photo uploader. Submit one professional JPEG photo from 715 × 1000 to 2000 × 2800 pixels and no larger than 4 MB. A scan of a professional print is accepted. Use the back-photo field for the scanned reverse, or for a digital photo, upload a document with the applicant’s name and date of birth, the photo date, the studio name and full address, and confirmation from the studio such as its receipt. Follow the portal’s crop and validation steps before submitting.

Prepare two prints for a paper application

Provide two identical original prints, each 50 × 70 mm, with the chin-to-crown measurement between 31 and 36 mm. Follow the IRCC instructions for the information on the reverse of one print. Place both photos in a small envelope with your name, without staples or clips.

Processing and getting the card

Even with urgent processing, IRCC cannot process a PR card in less than three weeks. Urgent reasons include a job opportunity, serious illness or death in the family, and a crisis; tick “Yes, my request is urgent” in the portal. IRCC usually mails the card to a Canadian address, may ask you to pick it up, and destroys cards not picked up within 180 days. When it arrives, check it for mistakes and destroy the old card. If IRCC made a mistake on the card, you have 60 days from receiving it to ask for a corrected card.

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged

Apply for a replacement from inside Canada. Use section 6 of IMM 5444 to explain the circumstances and include a police report or incident number if available. The application fee is CAD 50. If you only need to report a loss or theft and are not requesting a replacement now, IRCC provides a separate solemn declaration. If the loss happens abroad and you need to return by commercial transport, use the PRTD process.

When to request urgent processing

If you need to travel within three months for qualifying reasons such as work, serious illness, a death in the family or an emergency, check the urgent-processing instructions for your situation. IRCC says it cannot process a PR card in under three weeks. Check its current estimate for routine renewals or replacements and allow time for delivery or pickup.

Submit the request with four kinds of evidence

Prepare an itinerary or tickets showing where and when you will travel, a travel receipt showing the payment date, amount and method, a letter explaining the urgency, and evidence such as a medical note or employer letter. Provide English or French translations when required. For a new online application, mark it urgent in the Permanent Residence Portal. If IRCC is already processing your application, check its status and follow the urgent-processing page to send the evidence through the IRCC web form. Missing evidence or an ineligible reason can lead to routine processing. Even an accepted urgent request may miss your travel date.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose PR status when my PR card expires?

No. IRCC says you keep your permanent resident status and can stay in Canada. You need a valid card to return by commercial vehicle.

How much does it cost to renew a PR card?

IRCC’s fee list shows $50 for a permanent resident card, paid online before you upload the receipt.

Can I renew my PR card from outside Canada?

No. You must be in Canada, because IRCC does not mail PR cards outside Canada. From abroad, you apply for a permanent resident travel document to return.

Official sources

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