How to Apply for a Canada PR Card Online?

Becoming a permanent resident of Canada is a big step towards securing a stable future in one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The good news is that you can now apply for your Canada PR Card online!

In this article, we will provide a complete guide on how to apply for a Canada PR Card online, what documents to prepare, where to get a perfect PR Card photo, and how to check for a PR Card online.

Table of contents

• Is it Possible to Apply for a Canada PR Card Entirely Online?
• Documents Required For Online PR Card Application
• How to Create an Account On The Official Canadian Government Website
• How To Complete The Online PR Card Application
• How To Submit a Photo To PR Card Online
• Canada PR Card Photo Requirements
• Online PR Card Photo Editor
• Take Your PR Photo With a Phone
• “PR Card Your Photo is Being Validated” Message: What Does it Mean?
• PR Card Application Fees And Payment
• PR Card Waiting Times
• How To Track Your PR Card Application

Is it Possible to Apply for a Canada PR Card Entirely Online?

Yes, you can complete the whole process through the online PR Card portal. However, you must be in Canada to get the physical card.

Can you renew my PR Card online? Yes, the online process is available for both PR card renewals and replacements.

Documents Required For Online PR Card Application

Required documents for the Canada PR Card application process include:

• A fully completed Document checklist (IMM 5644).
• The application form for a permanent resident card (IMM 5444)
• The fee payment receipt will receive the fee payment receipt after paying online.
• Passport-sized PR Card photos. If applying online, upload one recent photo (taken within the last 12 months) and images that show both the front and back of the photo. Digital photo submissions should include a separate document with the required information for the back of the photo, along with confirmation from the photo studio (such as a receipt), which you will upload in the designated “Upload your photo (back)” area of the portal. If you shot the ID picture yourself and not in a studio, the role of the guarantor can be taken by any Canadian citizen who can verify your identity. You will need their signature and the date of the photo shoot.
• Proof of Residency Requirement. Provide evidence that you have met the residency requirement for the five years immediately preceding your application, as described in Appendix A: Residency Requirement.
• Primary Identity Document: Submit a copy of one of the following:
  • Your current valid passport or travel document;
  • The passport or travel document held at the time of becoming a permanent resident (include the page stamped upon arrival in Canada, if applicable);
  • A certificate of identity or travel document issued by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada or by a foreign country. The document should display:
    • The type and number of the document;
    • Issue and expiry dates;
    • Your name;
    • Your photograph;
    • Your date of birth.
• If it is not possible to obtain the above documents, provide either:
  • A copy of any identity document issued outside of Canada before your arrival;
  • An affidavit attesting to your identity, signed by you and either a relative familiar with you before arriving in Canada or an official from an organization representing people from your former country of nationality or residence.Note: All affidavits must be certified by a notary public as required by provincial law.

If you are submitting an affidavit, supplement it with a detailed letter describing:

• Exceptional circumstances in your home country;
• Nature of these circumstances;
• Reasons why these circumstances prevent you from obtaining identity documents.

Note: When uploading documents into the Portal, choose “Passport or Other Primary ID Document” from the Document type dropdown menu for your primary document, such as your passport.

If you have documents (including stamps and seals) in a language other than English or French, you must provide translations in either English or French. Please visit the official IRCC website for specific document translation requirements.

How to Create an Account On The Official Canadian Government Website

To access online services and apply, you must either sign in to your existing account or create a new one. Here's how to create an account on the official Canadian government site:

• Go to the official Government of Canada login page.
• In the “Most Requested” section, search for the specific account or service you're looking for.
• Select the appropriate link to be taken to the login or registration page.
• New users will be prompted to create an account. You'll typically be asked to provide certain personal information, such as your full name and e-mail address, and to choose a username and password.
• Once your account is set up, you'll be able to log in and use the Government of Canada's online services, like a Permanent Residence Portal for online PR Card application.

Remember, the Government of Canada offers different services that may require different accounts. If you're interested in using multiple services, be prepared to create more than one account.

How To Complete The Online PR Card Application

To successfully submit your PR card application online, follow the steps below:

1. Visit the Permanent Residence Application Portal
2. Fill out the IMM 5444 Permanent Resident Card Application form, making sure all sections are completed accurately and reviewed thoroughly.
3. Gather all supporting documents and any additional forms that may be applicable to your case.
4. Pay the PR Card application fee and save the receipt.
5. Submit your application through the Portal.

For more detailed instructions, check the guides and application forms on the Permanent Residence Application Portal.

How To Submit a Photo To PR Card Online

After filling out your details, uploading the PR Card photo will be the next step. Here’s how to upload your digital photo and a separate document with the required information for the back of the photo to the PR Card application online:

1. First, ensure you're in the Permanent Resident (PR) Card/PR Travel Document section at the top of the application.
2. Click on the “Upload Photo” option. You can upload either a digital photo in JPEG or PNG format or a scanned version of a professional picture.
3. Use the tools provided in the Photo Editor window to align and crop your photo, if needed properly.
4. After adjusting, click the “Apply” button to confirm your photo selection. The photo will appear on the screen in black and white. You have the option to edit or replace the photo at any time before final submission.
5. Before proceeding, check the “Declaration” box and click “Next” to complete the photo upload.
6. If you receive a notification that your photo doesn't meet the specified standards but choose to proceed anyway. Also, check the Declaration box before clicking Next.
7. When you're ready, select “Submit Documents.” After this point, you cannot change the photo further.
8. Don’t forget to also upload images that show both the front and back of the photo in the designated area “Upload your photo (back)”.

Canada PR Card Photo Requirements

The PR Card photo specifications are aligned with the strict standards for general Canada ID photos. To get the PR Card photo approval, be sure to follow the PR Card photo instructions below:

• The exact PR Card photo dimensions for physical submission should be 5×7 cm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long). The back of a physical photo must include:
  • The subject's name and date of birth.
  • The full name and address of the photo studio.
  • The date the photo was taken. The photographer may stamp or handwrite this information.
• For online photo submission, the format must be JPEG or PNG. Digital dimensions should be between 715×1000 and 2000×2800 pixels. File size should not exceed 4 MB. For digital submissions, you may provide the details on the back of the photo in a separate document, including a confirmation of your identity from the photo studio or guarantor.
• Photos may be incolourr or black and white.
• The photo should be taken no more than 6 months prior to the application submission.
• The subject's face and shoulders must be facing the camera and centered in the frame.
• The photo must be sharp, clear, and in focus.
• Lighting should be even, with no harsh shadows, glare, or flash reflections, and natural skin tones.
• Backgrounds should be solid white and in sharp contrast to the subject's face.
• Tinted glasses are prohibited. Prescription eyeglasses may be worn, provided they do not obscure the eyes.
• A neutral facial expression is required; the subject should not be smiling or frowning, and the eyes must be looking directly at the camera.

Here is an example:

Online PR Card Photo Editor

To get a professional and compliant PR Card online photo, use Visafoto.com. Visafoto.com tool offers a fast and efficient solution with an impressive 99.7% acceptance rate.

Simply use your phone or digital camera to capture a photo in front of a plain white background, then upload it to Visafoto.com. The service takes over from there, adjusting your photo to meet the strict requirements for Canada PR Card images, including proper size, background color, and positioning.

If the result is different from your satisfaction, Visafoto guarantees a full refund.

Visafoto also provides two versions of the photo: a digital file for online submission and another formatted for printing.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this one:

You will get 2 files: a digital one (you can use it for other ID applications in the future) and a printable template.

Take Your PR Photo With a Phone

Introducing the best PR Card photo app — 7ID. The 7ID app is supported by Visafoto.com and designed to streamline the process of capturing ID, PR card, passport, and visa photos with your smartphone, compatible with both iPhone and Android devices.

Simply upload your photo, select the document type and country, and let 7ID do the rest. It automatically adjusts your image to meet the necessary requirements, adjusting its size and format and making sure your face and eyes are correctly aligned.

Once optimized, 7ID prepares your photo for printing in standard sizes such as 4×6 inches, A4, A5, or B5, making it ready for immediate use.

For those seeking precision, Expert Mode offers additional adjustments for flawless results regardless of the original background. And if you need help, our 24/7 support team is always available.

“PR Card Your Photo is Being Validated” Message: What Does it Mean?

The notification “PR card your photo is being validated” means that the photo you submitted with your Permanent Resident (PR) card application is currently under review to ensure it meets the specified guidelines.

PR Card Application Fees And Payment

The application fee for a Permanent Resident card is CAD$50 (USD$36) per person. In addition, first-time applicants must pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), which is CAD$515 (USD$374).

For most online applications, payment is necessary at the time of submission. Accepted payment methods include credit cards, prepaid cards, and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, Debit MasterCard, or Visa Debit.

To streamline the process, it's a good idea to prepay the RPRF to avoid potential delays.

When you finish paying:

• Save a copy of your payment receipt.
• Upload it to the Portal in the Fee Payment section of your application.

PR Card Waiting Times

How long does it take to renew a Canada PR Card online? After you submit your application and all the necessary documents, the estimated processing time is as follows:

• For renewals or replacements: approximately 57 days.
• For new PR cards: approximately 48 days.

Please note that PR cards can be mailed to addresses only in Canada. In certain situations, you may be required to pick up your card in person at a designated Canadian office.

How To Track Your PR Card Application

To track your PR Card online application status, go to the Client Application Status page. Before checking, make sure you have all the information related to your application, including any identification numbers, as you will need these details to log in.

You may also contact the IRCC Call Center at 1-888-242-2100. This service is only available to individuals within Canada and is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, excluding holidays. You can receive updates on the status of your application directly from a representative.

Good luck with your Canada PR Card Application!