Permanent Resident Card

There are several requirements to submit a Canadian citizenship application. These requirements were recently amended in October 2017 to provide those wanting to become Canadian citizens greater flexibility to meet the eligibility requirements. There are also different requirements depending on whether you are adopted, stateless, an adult or a minor.

Permanent Residents of Canada will be issued a permanent resident card (PR) automatically on approval of their permanent residence application. To prove you are a permanent resident, you will need to show this card on every entry to Canada.  If your PR card has expired, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) if you need to travel urgently. Without a permanent resident card or travel document, you will not be able to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. ​

Your PR card is valid for five years even if your card expires; you will still have permanent resident status in Canada.

 

Maintaining Your Permanent Resident Status

 

To maintain your permanent resident status, you must comply with a residency obligation: to have at least 730 days in Canada in the five years preceding your application. There are four principal ways to meet the residency obligation:

  • Physical presence in Canada

  • Accompanying a spouse or common-law partner or parent abroad, who is a Canadian citizen

  • Being employed abroad, on a full-time basis, by a prescribed "Canadian business" or in the public service of Canada or of a province

  • Accompanying a Canadian permanent resident, spouse, common-law partner or parent abroad, who is also outside of Canada and who is employed on a full-time basis, by a prescribed "Canadian business" or in the public service of Canada or of a province

If you do not meet any of the above ways, and you do not meet the residency requirement, you may be able to rely on humanitarian and compassionate grounds to renew your permanent resident card. An officer must consider any H&C grounds, before determining that the person has lost their permanent resident status. If the H&C grounds are justified, it will overcome any breach of the residency obligation.

Other Services

NextGen Immigration offers a number of services for permanent resident card holders, including​:​

  • Permanent Resident Card Renewal

  • Permanent Resident Card Amendment

  • Permanent Resident Card Replacement

  • Permanent Resident Travel Document

  • Renunciation of Permanent Resident Status