PR Card Renewal Requirements and Eligibility

To be eligible for a PR card renewal, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a permanent resident of Canada.
• You must be physically present in Canada.
• You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days out of the five-year period preceding the renewal application.
• You must not be under a removal order.

There are certain exceptions to the 730-day residency requirement. For instance, if you are traveling with a Canadian citizen who is your spouse, common-law partner, or parent, or if you are employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the federal public administration or public service of a province, you may be exempt from meeting the residency requirement.

PR Card Renewal Application

To apply for a PR card renewal, you must prepare an application package that includes:

• A completed Application for a Permanent Resident Card renewal form
• A document checklist
• Photocopies of your identification documents
• A copy of the receipt confirming payment of fees

If you have legally changed your name, you must provide supporting documentation, such as a marriage certificate or a court order.

In some cases, you may be able to apply for a PR card renewal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, even if you have not met the residency requirements.

You must submit your application from within Canada. You must be physically present in Canada when you submit your application and when you pick up your new PR card from an Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office.

PR Card Renewal Processing Time

The processing time for a PR card renewal application can take several weeks or even months, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the expiry date of your current card. If you need to travel outside Canada and your PR card has expired or your renewal application is still pending, you may be able to expedite the processing by providing evidence of an emergency.