In short: to renew a Canadian permanent resident (PR) card you generally apply online, pay a $50 government fee, prove you were physically present in Canada at least 730 days in the past 5 years, and wait for the new card to be mailed to a Canadian address. The PR card is a wallet-sized photo ID that proves you are a permanent resident; you need a valid card to board a commercial flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada when travelling from abroad. However, and this is the single most important thing to understand, the PR card is not your PR status. Your status as a permanent resident continues even if the card expires, as long as no removal order has been issued against you and you have not voluntarily renounced your status. What this means for you: an expired card while you are inside Canada is not an emergency, but you cannot board a commercial carrier back to Canada on an expired card. This guide covers the renewal process, the 730-day residency obligation, what to do if you are outside Canada with an expired card, and your options if you do not meet the obligation. It is educational only and not legal advice; an IRCC officer decides every application.
Track Your Days in Canada
Not sure if you meet the 730-day residency obligation? Use our physical presence calculator to count your days.
Calculate your physical presencePR Card vs. PR Status: The Critical Distinction
Key point: An expired PR card does not mean you have lost your permanent resident status. Your PR status remains valid until a formal determination is made by IRCC or the Immigration Division. Many PRs panic when their card expires, don't. The card is a travel document, not your status.
| PR Card | PR Status |
|---|---|
| Physical card, valid for 5 years | Legal status, no expiry unless revoked |
| Required for travel back to Canada on commercial carriers | Gives you the right to live and work in Canada |
| Can expire without affecting status | Lost only by removal order, renunciation, or citizenship |
| Renewable by application | Maintained by meeting residency obligation |
Under IRPA section 31(1), every PR in Canada shall be issued a PR card. Under IRPA s.31(3), a PR outside Canada must present their PR card to travel to Canada on a commercial carrier. If you are in Canada and your PR card expired, there is no urgency unless you plan to travel.
The Residency Obligation: 730 Days in 5 Years
Under IRPA section 28(2)(a), a permanent resident must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within every 5-year period. This obligation is assessed when you:
- Apply to renew or replace your PR card
- Seek to enter Canada at a port of entry
- Are the subject of an admissibility examination for non-compliance
The 5-year period is a rolling window, it is the 5 years immediately before the date of assessment, not a fixed calendar period. What this means for you, with a concrete example: if you apply on June 1, 2026, an officer generally looks at June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2026 and counts whether you were physically in Canada for at least 730 of those days. A common point of confusion is that 730 days does not have to be continuous; you can leave and return many times, and the days simply add up. If you have been a permanent resident for less than 5 years, an officer generally assesses whether you can still meet the 730 days within your first 5-year period, so a recent PR is rarely found non-compliant. Note that days outside Canada that fall under a qualifying exception below can also count toward the 730.
Days That Count Toward the 730
- Every full day you are physically in Canada
- Days spent outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse/common-law partner (IRPA s.28(2)(a)(i))
- Days spent outside Canada employed full-time by a Canadian business or the Canadian government (IRPA s.28(2)(a)(ii) and (iii))
- Days spent outside Canada accompanying a PR who is outside Canada for qualifying employment
Days at entry or exit are counted as days in Canada. The burden of proof is on you, keep passport stamps, travel records, and entry/exit data.
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View Deep Dives → From $49.99Step-by-Step PR Card Renewal Process
- 1
Confirm your residency obligation
Count your days in Canada over the past 5 years. You need at least 730. Use our physical presence calculator or IRCC's own travel history from GCMS.
- 2
Gather required documents
Two PR card photos (50mm × 70mm), current PR card (expired or not), valid passport or travel document, Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of PR (IMM 5292/5688), and proof of residency (travel history).
- 3
Complete the application form
Fill out the online application through IRCC's PR card portal. Since 2023, most PR card applications must be submitted online.
- 4
Pay the fee
Government fee: $50 CAD (PR card renewal or replacement). Pay online with credit card.
- 5
Submit biometrics if required
First-time PR card applicants or those who haven't given biometrics may need to provide fingerprints and photo at a Service Canada location.
- 6
Wait for processing
Processing times change frequently, so check the current estimate on the official IRCC processing-times tool before you rely on a number. You can check your application status online. You must be in Canada when the card is ready, it is mailed to your Canadian address.
- 7
Receive your new PR card
The new card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Keep it in a safe place and do not travel internationally without it.
Outside Canada with an Expired PR Card (PRTD)
If your PR card has expired and you are outside Canada, you cannot board a commercial flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada without a valid PR card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). Here's what to do:
Option 1: Apply for a PRTD
A PRTD is a single-use travel document issued by a Canadian visa office abroad. It allows you to board a commercial carrier to travel to Canada. To apply:
- Apply at the nearest Canadian visa office or visa application centre (VAC)
- You must demonstrate you meet the residency obligation (730 days) or qualify for an exception
- Government fee: $50 CAD
- Processing time varies by office, can be days to weeks
- The PRTD is valid for a single entry to Canada
Option 2: Drive to Canada (US Land Border)
If you are in the United States, you can generally drive to a Canadian land border. CBSA officers at land ports of entry can usually verify your PR status through their systems, so you do not need a PR card or PRTD to enter at a land border. However, the officer will still assess your residency obligation and may refer you to secondary inspection. What this means for you: this route works for someone already in the U.S., but it does not let you board a flight; airlines and other commercial carriers will not let a PR board without a valid card or a PRTD, because they are penalized for carrying improperly documented passengers. If you have any doubt about your 730-day compliance, returning by land does not erase the obligation, an officer can still examine you and, in some cases, prepare a report that leads to an admissibility process.
Important: If the visa office determines you do not meet the residency obligation when you apply for a PRTD, they may issue a departure order or refer you to an admissibility hearing. This is a serious situation, consult an immigration lawyer before applying if you are uncertain about your residency compliance.
Processing Times
| Application Type | Approximate Processing |
|---|---|
| PR card renewal (routine) | Varies, check the current IRCC estimate |
| PR card replacement (lost/stolen) | Varies, check the current IRCC estimate |
| PRTD (Permanent Resident Travel Document) | Varies by visa office (days to weeks) |
| Urgent processing (documented emergency) | Case-by-case, request through IRCC |
Processing times fluctuate and are updated regularly by IRCC. Always confirm the current estimate on the official IRCC processing-times tool or our processing times dashboard before relying on a number.
Required Documents
- Two PR card photos meeting IRCC specifications (50mm × 70mm, white background, taken within 6 months)
- Copy of your current PR card (front and back), even if expired
- Copy of all pages of your current valid passport or travel document
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) or Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
- Two additional pieces of ID (e.g., driver's licence, health card, bank statement)
- Proof of physical presence in Canada: passport stamps, travel itineraries, airline boarding passes, employment records, tax returns
- If claiming days outside Canada under a qualifying exception: supporting evidence (marriage certificate, employment letter from Canadian employer, etc.)
What If You Don't Meet the Residency Obligation?
If you have fewer than 730 days of physical presence in the past 5 years, your PR card renewal will likely be refused and you may face a determination of non-compliance. However, this is not necessarily the end:
Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Considerations
Under IRPA s.28(2)(c), the residency obligation may be satisfied on humanitarian and compassionate grounds in certain circumstances. Factors considered include:
- Serious medical condition that prevented return to Canada
- Caring for a family member who was ill or dying
- Natural disaster, civil unrest, or war in your country of residence
- Best interests of a child directly affected
- Degree of establishment in Canada (property, employment, family ties)
Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)
If IRCC refuses your PR card renewal or a removal order is made due to non-compliance with the residency obligation, you have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board. The IAD can:
- Allow your appeal and confirm your PR status
- Stay the removal order for up to 5 years (giving you time to meet the obligation)
- Dismiss the appeal (removal order takes effect)
Voluntary Renunciation of PR Status
If you no longer wish to be a permanent resident, you can voluntarily renounce your PR status under IRPA s.46(1)(b) by submitting a formal request to IRCC. This is irreversible, once renounced, you would need to re-apply through the full immigration process if you wanted PR status again. Some people choose this when they have clearly not met the residency obligation and prefer to renounce rather than face a removal order.
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Calculate FeesFrequently Asked Questions
Can I stay in Canada with an expired PR card?
Yes. An expired PR card does not affect your PR status or your right to live and work in Canada. The PR card is only needed to travel back to Canada on a commercial carrier. As long as you are in Canada, an expired card creates no legal issue.
How much does it cost to renew a PR card?
The government fee for PR card renewal or replacement is $50 CAD. A PRTD (if you are outside Canada) also costs $50 CAD. There is no biometrics fee for PR card renewal if you previously provided biometrics.
Can I travel with an expired PR card?
No. You cannot board a commercial flight, train, bus, or boat to Canada with an expired PR card under IRPA s.31(3). You need either a valid PR card or a PRTD. However, you can enter Canada at a land border without a valid card: CBSA can verify your status through their systems.
What if I lost my PR card?
Apply for a replacement using the same online process as renewal. The fee is $50 CAD. If you are outside Canada and have lost your card, apply for a PRTD at the nearest Canadian visa office.
How far back does IRCC look at my travel history?
IRCC looks at the 5 years immediately before the date you apply for PR card renewal (or the date of assessment at a port of entry). You need at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada during that 5-year window.
Can I apply for PR card renewal from outside Canada?
No. You must be physically in Canada to apply for PR card renewal, and you must have a Canadian mailing address where the card can be delivered. If you are outside Canada, you need a PRTD to return.
Does time spent on a removal order count toward the 730 days?
No. If a removal order has been made against you, you are no longer considered a permanent resident for the purpose of the residency obligation. The counting only applies while you hold valid PR status.
How early should I renew my PR card before it expires?
IRCC generally accepts a renewal application when your card is within about 9 months of expiring, and many people apply once it is within roughly 6 months of the expiry date. Because processing times change and the card is mailed to a Canadian address, applying well before any planned international travel is sensible. If your card has already expired, you can still apply, an expired card does not prevent renewal, but you would need a PRTD to fly back to Canada in the meantime. Confirm current timing on canada.ca.
Do days outside Canada with a Canadian-citizen spouse count toward the 730 days?
Generally yes. Under IRPA s.28, time a permanent resident spends outside Canada accompanying a Canadian-citizen spouse or common-law partner can count toward the residency obligation, as can time accompanying a Canadian-citizen parent (for a child). Other counted situations include being employed full-time by a Canadian business or the public service abroad, or accompanying a PR spouse or parent who is so employed. You must be able to prove the relationship and the circumstances, so keep marriage certificates, employment letters, and travel records. An officer assesses whether the exception applies.
Is the PR card photo the same size as a passport photo?
No. PR card photos must meet IRCC permanent-resident photo specifications, which call for a 50 mm x 70 mm (about 2 in x 2.75 in) photo, not the smaller passport size. The photo must generally be taken within the last 6 months on a plain white or light background. Always check the current photo specification document on canada.ca before having photos taken, because requirements can change.
What is the difference between a PR card and a PRTD?
A PR card is a reusable wallet-sized photo ID, valid for 5 years (sometimes 1 year), that you apply for from inside Canada and use to board commercial carriers to Canada. A Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is a single-use document issued by a visa office abroad, for permanent residents outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card and need to travel back. Both cost $50 and both involve a residency-obligation assessment. You generally cannot apply for a PR card from outside Canada; if you are abroad without a valid card, the PRTD is usually the route home.
Important: Based on publicly available IRPA, IRPR, and IRCC policy. Not legal advice. For complex cases, consult an immigration lawyer licensed by your provincial law society.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.