Home » Permanent Resident Card

About the Process

• New Immigrants
• Existing Permanent Residents
• Canadian Citizens
• Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Never-Received PR Cards
• PR Card Fees
• Apply for Canadian Citizenship

New Immigrants

Newly arriving permanent residents automatically receive a PR card as part of the immigration process.

If you are a new permanent resident who did not provide a mailing address to the Canada Border Services Agency at the point of entry, please do so as soon as possible.

You may provide this information on-line, or you may contact the PR Card Call Centre. Please note that if we do not receive your address within 180 days of your entry into Canada, you will need to re-apply for your PR card and pay the applicable fee.

If you do not receive your PR card within 30 days of submitting your address, please contact the PR Card Call Centre.

Existing Permanent Residents

An existing permanent resident is someone who arrived in Canada before June 28, 2002.

Permanent residents planning to travel internationally, by commercial carrier, should apply for a PR card well in advance of their departure, to ensure they receive their card in time. Consult the Application Processing Times information to find out how long it currently takes to receive a PR card.

CIC is committed to processing applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. Due to the large number of applicants, we ask for your patience and understanding should your application be delayed.

View and print a PR card application.

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens do not need a PR card. Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport for international travel. Visit the Passport Office for more information.

Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Never-Received PR Cards

If you are a permanent resident and your PR card has been lost, stolen, destroyed or was never received, you should contact the PR Card Call Centre immediately.

PR Card Fees

The PR card costs $50.00 per applicant for existing permanent residents.

The cost of cards for new permanent residents is incorporated in the overall fee for an Application for Permanent Residence.

The PR card is valid for five years from the date of issue. All permanent residents, children included, will need a valid PR card for re-entry into Canada on a commercial carrier.

Cardholders must make sure that their card is valid at the time of their return to Canada.

If a permanent resident with a PR card becomes a Canadian citizen, CIC automatically revokes the card as part of the citizenship application process. This person would then need to obtain a Canadian passport for international travel.

Apply for Canadian Citizenship

If you are a permanent resident and have been living in Canada for three years or more, you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. Find out more about the Canadian citizenship application process.