Canada
Permanent Residents
Renewing Your PR Card in Canada
Your permanent resident (PR) card is the official proof of your status in Canada and the document you need to board a flight, train, bus, or boat back to the country. When it is expiring, has expired, or has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you apply to renew or replace it through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This page walks you through when to apply, what's required, and how to avoid the most common delays — for permanent residents living in Ontario and across Canada.
01 Renewal & Replacement Explained
A PR card is the wallet-sized document that proves you are a permanent resident of Canada. PR cards are issued with a fixed validity period, so most permanent residents need to apply for a new one from time to time. The same application is used whether you are renewing a card that is about to expire or has expired, or replacing a card that was lost, stolen, damaged, or that needs to reflect a legal name or gender change.
An expired PR card does not mean you have lost your status. You remain a permanent resident even after the card expires — the card is simply your proof of status and your travel document for commercial travel back to Canada.
If you are looking for general information about what a PR card is and what it lets you do, see our dedicated Permanent Residency (PR) Card page. This page focuses specifically on the renewal and replacement process.
02 When and Why to Apply
You apply for a new PR card in any of these situations:
- your card is expiring soon, or has already expired
- your card was lost or stolen
- your card was damaged
- you legally changed your name or gender and need the card updated
- there is an error on the card that IRCC made (in that case you can request a reissue within a short window — see below)
As of June 2026, IRCC asks you not to apply for a renewal if your current card is still valid for more than nine (9) months (about 270 days), unless your legal name or gender has changed — otherwise your application may be returned. If IRCC made an error on your card, you can request a reissue within 60 days; after that, you apply for a replacement. Always confirm the current rule on the official IRCC page before applying.
The main reason to keep a valid card is travel: permanent residents need a valid PR card (or a travel document) to return to Canada by commercial carrier. Many people only discover their card has lapsed when they plan a trip, so applying early avoids stressful, last-minute problems.
03 The Residency Obligation
Renewing a PR card is closely tied to the residency obligation. To keep permanent resident status, you must meet a minimum amount of physical presence in Canada, and a card renewal is one of the moments IRCC may assess whether you meet it.
As of June 2026, the residency obligation under section 28 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada within every rolling five-year period. The days do not need to be consecutive. This is set by law and subject to change — confirm the current rule on the official IRCC page before relying on it.
IRCC looks back over the five years immediately before the date of assessment (for example, your renewal application date). Some time spent outside Canada can still count toward the 730 days in limited circumstances — for instance, accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner, or working full-time abroad for a Canadian business or government. If you have been a PR for less than five years, the test is whether you can still reach 730 days by your fifth anniversary.
Because this is fact-specific and the consequences of falling short are serious, it is worth getting advice before you apply if your time in Canada has been limited.
04 Who Can Apply
To apply to renew or replace your PR card, in general you must:
- be a permanent resident of Canada
- be physically present in Canada when you apply (you cannot apply for a PR card from outside Canada)
- not have become a Canadian citizen
- not be under an effective removal order
- not be applying to voluntarily give up (renounce) your PR status
- meet, or be on track to meet, the residency obligation
If you are currently outside Canada without a valid PR card, you cannot apply for a card from abroad — you would apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to return first. See section 08.
05 How to Apply
From inside Canada, the general process to renew or replace your card is:
Confirm You're Ready to Apply
Check that your card is within the renewal window (or has expired, or is lost/stolen/damaged), that you are in Canada, and that you can document your residency obligation.
Complete the Application
Fill out the application for a permanent resident card and the document checklist, and gather your supporting documents. Most applicants apply online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
Get Your Photo and Documents Ready
Provide a PR card photo that meets IRCC's specifications and copies of your supporting documents (see section 06). Follow the current photo rules exactly to avoid a return.
Pay the Fee and Upload Your Receipt
Pay the processing fee online with IRCC, then upload the receipt to the Fee Payment section of the portal. Fees are not paid through the portal itself.
Submit and Track
Submit your complete application. IRCC will only start processing once your application is complete; you can then check current processing times and watch for any requests for more information.
Receive Your New Card
If approved, IRCC mails your new card. Destroy your old card once the new one arrives. PR cards are mailed to Canadian addresses only.
Avoid common delays: send a complete application, use a photo that meets the current specifications, include proof of your residency obligation, pay online and upload the receipt, and apply well before any planned travel. Incomplete applications are commonly returned, which restarts the clock.
06 Documents, Photo & Fee
A typical renewal or replacement application includes:
- the completed application form and document checklist
- a PR card photo that meets IRCC's current specifications
- a copy of a valid primary identity document (such as your passport or travel document)
- a copy of your current PR card if you are renewing (or details of the lost/stolen/damaged card)
- supporting documents that show you meet the residency obligation, if requested
- proof of payment of the processing fee
As of June 2026, the processing fee is $50 CAD per person for a PR card, and you pay it each time you renew or replace the card (IRCC, fee confirmed June 2026). Fees are set by IRCC and can change — confirm the current amount on the official "Pay your fees" page before you apply.
Exact forms, photo rules, and checklists are updated by IRCC from time to time, so always download the latest versions from the official application page rather than reusing old copies.
07 Processing Times & Urgent Processing
Processing times for PR cards change regularly depending on application volumes. IRCC publishes a live processing-time tool, which is the only reliable source for the current estimate — third-party calculators are often out of date.
As of June 2026, standard PR card renewals were commonly taking on the order of a few months, but the figure moves week to week — check IRCC's current processing-times tool for today's estimate before you plan around it. Apply well ahead of any travel; many people apply several months before their card expires.
Urgent processing may be available in limited circumstances — for example, urgent travel for a serious illness or death in the family, or for work. It is not guaranteed, and you must show why you need it.
As of June 2026, even where urgent processing is granted, IRCC states the minimum processing time is 3 weeks. Confirm the current eligibility and timing for urgent processing on the official IRCC page.
08 If Your Card Expires While Abroad
A key point that catches many travellers: you can only apply for a PR card from inside Canada. If you are outside Canada without a valid PR card and need to return by commercial carrier, you do not apply for a renewal — you apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) instead.
Inside Canada
Apply to renew or replace your PR card. You must be physically present in Canada to apply, and cards are mailed to Canadian addresses only.
Outside Canada
You cannot apply for a PR card. Apply for a PRTD, which proves to carriers that you may travel to Canada as a permanent resident when you don't hold a valid PR card.
After You Return
Once back in Canada on a PRTD, apply for a new PR card if you plan to travel again. You must still meet the residency obligation to be eligible for a PRTD.
It is your responsibility to make sure your PR card is valid before you travel and to apply for a new card before it expires. If you know your card will expire while you're away, renew it before you leave. A lost or stolen card abroad should also be reported to IRCC.
09 Frequently Asked Questions
What if my PR card expired while I was outside Canada?+
You can't apply for a PR card from abroad. To return to Canada by plane, train, bus, or boat, you apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from outside Canada. You still need to meet the residency obligation. Once you're back, you can apply for a new PR card.
Do I have to meet the residency obligation to renew?+
Yes. A renewal is one of the moments IRCC may assess your residency obligation — generally at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada in the last five years (verified June 2026; some time abroad can count in limited cases). If you have been a PR for less than five years, the question is whether you can still reach 730 days by your fifth anniversary.
How long does renewal take, and can it be expedited?+
Processing times change regularly, so check IRCC's live processing-times tool for today's estimate. Urgent processing may be available in limited circumstances (such as urgent travel), but it isn't guaranteed and, as of June 2026, IRCC states the minimum is about 3 weeks even when granted. Applying early is the most reliable approach.
Does my status end when my PR card expires?+
No. An expired PR card does not end your permanent resident status — you remain a PR. The card is your proof of status and your travel document for commercial travel. You should still apply for a new card so you can prove your status and travel.
How much does it cost to renew or replace my card?+
As of June 2026, the fee is $50 CAD per person, paid each time you renew or replace the card. You pay online with IRCC and upload the receipt to the Permanent Residence Portal. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the official "Pay your fees" page.
My card is still valid — should I renew early?+
As of June 2026, IRCC asks you not to apply if your card is valid for more than nine months (about 270 days), unless your legal name or gender has changed — otherwise the application may be returned. If IRCC made an error on the card, you can request a reissue within 60 days.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Keep your PR status secure
Our licensed team can help you confirm your eligibility, document your residency obligation, and prepare a complete renewal or replacement application with confidence.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not guarantee any outcome. Immigration rules, fees, and processing times change — verify the current details on the official IRCC pages at canada.ca before you apply. BroadGate's advisors are licensed/regulated Canadian immigration consultants (RCICs regulated by the CICC); they are not lawyers.