A permanent resident must carry their PR card when traveling outside Canada. Without it, they need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to return.
(1)A permanent resident and a protected person shall be provided with a document indicating their status.
(3)A permanent resident outside Canada who is not in possession of a status document indicating permanent resident status shall, following an examination, be issued a travel document if an officer is satisfied that (a)they comply with the residency obligation under section 28; (b)an officer has made the determination referred to in paragraph 28(2)(c); or (c)they were physically present in Canada at least once within the 365 days before the examination and they have made an appeal under subsection 63(4) that has not been finally determined or the period for making such an appeal has not yet expired.
31.1 For the purposes of Article 28 of the Refugee Convention, a designated foreign national whose claim for refugee protection or application for protection is accepted is lawfully staying in Canada only if they become a permanent resident or are issued a temporary resident permit under section 24.