PR Card Renewal Application
Permanent resident cards are generally valid for up to five years, although in some cases they can expire after one year. You may remain a permanent resident even if your card expires, as loss of PR status is not automatic. The PR Card renewal process takes about 65 days, however, sometimes it can be a little longer. To avoid having an expired Permanent Resident Card, renew your PR card and submit your complete application at least six months before expiration.
Want more information on PR Card Renewal Application? Oro Immigration can help!
When to Apply for a Permanent Resident Card Renewal?
You should apply for a PR card renewal if your card has expired or will expire in under nine months. You should also apply in case of a lost, damaged, or stolen PR card. You can also apply if you didn’t receive your PR card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada, or you need to update your PR card for a legal name change, citizenship change, gender designation change, or to correct your birth date.
If you do not receive your PR card before you leave Canada or you are outside Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document.
PR Card Renewal Eligibility
To apply for a PR card renewal you must:
- Be physically present in Canada
- Be a permanent resident of Canada
- Meet the minimum residency requirement of 730 days out of the last five years in Canada; these days do not need to be continuous
- Have a valid passport to renew your PR card. If you do not have a valid passport, and you cannot obtain one, you need to provide an explanation
You can use the accumulated days in the following circumstances towards your residency obligation calculation:
- You were not in Canada but were accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada who was your parent, spouse, or common-law partner
- You were working for a Canadian company
- You were accompanying a permanent resident outside Canada
You must NOT:
- Have been convicted for any type of offense
- Be under an effective removal order
- Be a Canadian citizen or registered Indian under the Indian Act
Application Process and Documentation to Renew Your Valid PR Card
In your application package, you must provide proof of Permanent Residency. You need to be in Canada at the time of submitting your application and fulfill the eligibility requirements.
You must complete an application form and provide all necessary documentation to prove you meet the residency requirements and are eligible. For your residency obligation, you will need to be able to provide proof for dates that you exit and re-enter Canada. All documents must be in English or French.
If the Officer reviewing your case finds that you have met the requirements, you will be granted a new Permanent Resident Card.
Oro Immigration helps facilitate this process, and ensures all documents required, including appropriate photo ID and other identity documents are included for a smoother renewal process.
Expedited Processing Time
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can expedite the processing of your Permanent Resident Card if you need to travel within three months. They will only make an exception if your travels are related to a family member’s death, the serious illness of you or a family member, a job opportunity, or a task for your current job. All application documentation and documentation to prove why you need urgent processing must be submitted.
Even with appropriate documentation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does not guarantee processing times, so it’s recommended to keep your Permanent Resident Card up to date.
Expired PR Card Renewal Application
If you have an expired PR card and left Canada for employment reasons, a family emergency, or other extenuating circumstance, you may still be eligible to renew your PR card. Circumstances must be outside of the applicant’s control. You will need to provide details and proof of the circumstance.
Travelling Without a Valid PR Card
Canadian Permanent Residents must have a current PR card or permanent resident travel document to return from outside of Canada via a commercial carrier. You can enter Canada without a valid PR card via the land border in a private vehicle or an airport by private plane.
If you travel outside Canada, your PR card must be valid for leaving and re-entering Canada. If it expires while you are outside of Canada, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document before you can enter Canada.
In some cases, when travelling to the United States and returning to Canada by car, you may enter using your Record of Landing/Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
At Oro Immigration, we can help you with the process to obtain your Permanent Resident Card or renew your PR card, even if you have extenuating circumstances to consider.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the validity period of a Permanent Resident (PR) Card and when should I apply for renewal?
PR cards are generally valid for up to five years. It’s recommended to apply for renewal at least six months before the card’s expiration.
What are the eligibility criteria for renewing a PR Card?
Eligibility includes being physically present in Canada, holding permanent resident status, and meeting the minimum residency requirement of 730 days within the last five years in Canada.
What documents are required for the PR Card renewal process?
The application requires proof of Permanent Residency, a completed application form, and documentation supporting residency requirements. All documents must be in English or French.
Can the PR Card renewal process be expedited under certain circumstances?
Yes, expedited processing may be available for urgent travel needs due to family emergencies, job opportunities, or other specific reasons.