PR Card Renewal Guide (IMM 5444)

Step-by-step guide to renewing your Permanent Resident card in Canada. Plus: what to do if your PR card expired while you were outside Canada (PRTD).

🚨 If You're Outside Canada with an Expired PR Card — Read This First

You cannot renew your PR card from abroad. PR card renewals must be submitted from inside Canada. If your card has expired and you are currently outside Canada, do NOT attempt to board a commercial airline — you will be denied boarding. You must first apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from the nearest Canadian visa office.

Exception: If you're returning by private vehicle from the United States, you do not need a PR card or PRTD — border officers can verify your status electronically.

Residency Obligation — Must Qualify Before Renewing

Before applying for PR card renewal, you must confirm you meet Canada's Residency Obligation. IRCC will deny your renewal if you don't qualify.

Rule: You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within the 5 years immediately before your application date. Travel outside Canada for work with a Canadian employer or accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse may count — but must be documented.

PR Card Renewal — Step by Step (IMM 5444)

Gather Your Documents:
- Completed form IMM 5444 (Application for a Permanent Resident Card)
- Document checklist IMM 5644
- Your current (expired or expiring) PR card — both sides
- Valid passport — all pages containing stamps, visas, and travel history
- Two photos meeting IRCC photo specifications (45mm × 35mm, white background)
Pay the Processing Fee: $50 CAD — payable online via credit/debit card through your IRCC account.
Submit Online: Apply through the IRCC Secure Account Portal. PR card applications are now primarily processed online.
Biometrics: If required by IRCC (you'll be notified), visit a Service Canada Centre to provide fingerprints and photo. Most renewals do not require new biometrics.
Wait for Processing: IRCC's current target processing time for PR card renewals is approximately 60–120 days. Check current times at the IRCC website.

Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) — Returning From Abroad

If you are already outside Canada and your PR card is expired or lost, you must apply for a PRTD at the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in your country before boarding a flight back.

PRTD Step	Details
Where to Apply	Canadian Visa Office / Embassy in your current country of residence
Form	IMM 5524 (Travel Document Application)
Fee	$50 CAD
Key Documents	Expired PR card (or Confirmation of PR), valid passport, proof of residency obligation compliance, photos
Processing Time	Varies by country — typically 2–8 weeks. Urgent processing may be available in emergencies.
Validity	Single-use travel document; valid for a single journey to Canada only

🔗 Useful Links & Official References

Internal Resources

Official IRCC Portals

⚠️ Don't Travel Without a Valid PR Card

Under IRCC regulations, commercial carriers (airlines, trains, buses) are legally required to check for valid PR cards before boarding. Boarding a flight to Canada without a valid PR card or PRTD will result in you being denied boarding at your origin airport — not at the Canadian border. Apply for PRTD well in advance.

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Check Your 730-Day Status

Use our Physical Presence Calculator to verify you meet the 730-day residency obligation before applying.

Open Presence Calculator