PR Card Renewal & Residency Obligation
Maintain your Canadian Permanent Residency. Track the 730-day rule and prepare your renewal application.
Understanding the Residency Obligation
To maintain your status as a Permanent Resident in Canada, you must meet the **residency obligation**. Specifically, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 full years)during any rolling **5-year period**.
Residency Obligation Exemptions:
You can count days spent outside Canada toward your residency obligation under the following three narrow exemptions:
- Accompanying a Canadian Citizen: Each day spent accompanying a spouse, common-law partner, or parent (for children under 22) who is a Canadian citizen.
- Employment Abroad: Each day you work full-time outside Canada for a Canadian business, the public service of Canada, or a provincial public service.
- Accompanying a PR Employed Abroad: Each day spent accompanying a spouse, common-law partner, or parent who is a PR and working full-time for a Canadian business or public service abroad.
📂 Residency Obligation Calculator
Calculate if you meet the 730-day requirement over the last 5 years.
PR Card Renewal Document Checklist
- Application for a PR Card (IMM 5444)Complete form details all addresses, employers, and travel log outside Canada.
- Full Passport PhotocopiesCopy of every page of all passports held in the past 5 years, showing entry/exit stamps.
- Two (2) PR PhotosMust meet exact IRCC PR specifications (50 mm x 70 mm) with photographer stamp and date on back.
- Government Fee Receipt ($50 CAD)Copy of the official IRCC payment receipt showing the $50 application fee paid online.
- CRA Notices of Assessment (NOA)Recommended to include tax returns for the past 5 years to prove active residence.
- Secondary Identity DocumentPhotocopy of a valid provincial driver's license, photo card, health card, or school records.
Urgent Processing
If you need to travel within the next 90 days due to work, illness, or death in the family, you can apply for urgent processing of your PR Card.
You must upload proof of travel (flight tickets, itinerary, payment receipt) and a written letter explaining the emergency.