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Permanent Resident Card: Overview

The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card that replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document for travel purposes. On December 31, 2003, the permanent resident card became the proof of status document required by permanent residents seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).

Permanent residents seeking to return to Canada who are without a permanent resident card may contact the nearest Canadian visa office to obtain a limited use travel document to re-enter Canada at a cost of $50 for each one.

The PR card increases Canada’s border security by improving the integrity of the immigration process. It also provides cardholders with secure, convenient proof of their permanent resident status when re-entering Canada.

Safe, secure and confidential

The PR card protects the privacy of the cardholder:

• Only non-secure information is printed on the card
• Personal information from the IMM 1000 Record of Landing or the Confirmation of Permanent Residence document is encoded and accessible only to authorized officials

The PR card includes state-of-the-art security features:

• Laser-engraved photograph and signature
• Micro-text printing
• Tactile lettering
• Ultra-violet images

The PR card helps to combat illegal entry into Canada:

• It is highly resistant to tampering and illegal duplication
• It provides transportation officials with a more effective means of identifying people with permanent resident status in Canada

Learn more about the PR card in this section. If you do not find the information you are looking for and you are calling from Canada, feel free to contact the PR Card Call Centre.

	About the Process
	About the Permanent Resident Card
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Application for a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
	Application for a Travel Document (Permanent Resident Abroad)
	Important Information for Urgent Cases
	Current Processing Times