Canada’s PR Card Renewal Instructions

A Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Card serves as your identification and travel document and proof of your legal status when you return to Canada from abroad. PR cards are typically valid for up to five years. If yours is set to expire soon or has less than nine months left, you should apply for a renewal.

This article provides information on how to renew a PR Card in Canada, including eligibility, fees, and documentation requirements.

Table of contents

• Canada PR Card Renewal Conditions
• PR Card Renewal Online
• PR Card Renewal by Paper
• PR Card Renewal: Document Checklist
• Canada PR Card Photo Specifications
• Get Your PR Card Photo Online
• PR Card Photo App
• Canada PR Card Renewal Fees
• PR Card Renewal Waiting Times
• What If Your PR Card Expires While Waiting for Renewal?
• Express PR Card Renewal

Canada PR Card Renewal Conditions

As part of the Canada PR Card renewal process, applicants must undergo a PR Card renewal background check to ensure they continue to meet the requirements for permanent residency status. Thus, to renew your PR Card, certain PR Card renewal eligibility requirements must be met:

• You must be a recognized permanent resident of Canada.
• If you've been a PR for 5+ years: You must show you've been in Canada 730 days in the last five years.
• If you're a PR for less than 5 years: You should be able to meet the 2-year (730 days) residency within a 5-year period.
• You must apply while you are in Canada.
• You should not be facing a removal order or have criminal convictions that might impact your status.
• If you find yourself needing a PR Card renewal from outside Canada, you may need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document to re-enter. But note that it is not a PR Card
replacement.

Do you need biometrics for PR Card renewal? — To find out if you need to provide biometrics, answer a few questions on the Biometrics page of the IRCC website.

Applicants have the flexibility to choose between PR Card renewal online or paper, depending on which method they find more convenient.

PR Card Renewal Online

The entire process for renewing or replacing your PR Card can be completed online through the PR Card portal. However, you need to be in Canada to receive the physical card.

To apply online, follow these steps:

1. Access the Permanent Residence Application Portal.
2. Complete the IMM 5444 Permanent Resident Card Application form, ensuring all parts are filled in accurately and reviewed carefully.
3. Collect all required supporting documents and any additional relevant forms.
4. Pay the application fee for the PR Card and keep the receipt.
5. Submit your application via the Portal.
6. Once the PR Card renewal decision, made by the immigration authorities, is final, you will be informed through the contact details you provided.

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

PR Card Renewal by Paper

To renew your PR Card by submitting a paper application, first gather the necessary documents, listed below in the article. Fill out the application form (IMM 5444) and pay the renewal fee online. Once everything is ready, send your completed application to the PR Card renewal locations listed on the IRCC website.

PR Card Renewal: Document Checklist

To ensure a smooth renewal process for your PR Card in Canada, make sure you have all the necessary documents. Here’s a PR Card renewal application kit:

• The application form for a permanent resident card (IMM 5444).
• Your current PR Card, even if expired.
• If applicable, documentation proving a lost or stolen PR Card.
• Clear photocopies of your valid passport or other travel documents.
• Proof of identity, such as a passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate. These must have your photo and name.
• Proof of residency in Canada, like utility bills, bank statements, rental agreements, or tax documents.
• Evidence of Permanent Residence Status, typically your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or Landing Document.
• Two recent photos that meet IRCC’s size and quality guidelines.
• A receipt for the PR Card renewal fee payment.
• Parents should be aware of any additional requirements specific to PR Card renewal for a child, such as the submission of a birth certificate or school records.

If you're handling a PR Card renewal for a family, make sure each member has their own set of required documents ready before starting the process.

Canada PR Card Photo Specifications

For a PR Card application, your photo must meet the same strict criteria as other Canadian ID photos. Follow these guidelines to ensure your PR Card photo is accepted:

• For physical photo submissions, the image size should be 5×7 cm (2×2 inches).
• For online submissions, your PR Card renewal digital photo must be in JPEG or PNG format. The dimensions should range between 715×1000 and 2000×2800 pixels, and the file size must not exceed 4 MB.
• Your photos can be in colour or black and white.
• The photograph should be taken within six months prior to submitting the application.
• Your face and shoulders should be squarely facing the camera, centered within the frame.
• The image must be clear, in focus, and sharply detailed.
• Lighting should be even, avoiding shadows, glare, or reflections, with natural skin tones.
• The background should be solid white, clearly contrasting with your face.
• Tinted glasses are not allowed; prescription glasses can be worn if they do not cover the eyes.
• A neutral facial expression is necessary; no smiles or frowns, and eyes looking directly at the camera.

Here is an example:

Get Your PR Card Photo Online

To simplify the process and ensure your Canadian PR Card photo meets official specifications, you can use Visafoto.com, an expert photo editing service with a 99.7% acceptance rate.

Simply take a picture against a plain white background using your phone or digital camera and upload it to Visafoto.com. The service will automatically adjust the image, including size, format, and background, ensuring it meets all requirements. If you're unhappy with the result, we offer free replacements, and a full refund if the photo is rejected by authorities.

You'll receive both a digital version suitable for online applications and a print-ready file.

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.

PR Card Photo App

For an even easier experience, use the 7ID App from Visafoto.com, which makes creating ID, passport, and visa photos effortless on your smartphone. Compatible with both iPhone and Android, it’s accessible for everyone.

With 7ID, upload your picture and select the document type and country. The app automatically adjusts your photo to meet the specifications, managing size, format, background colour, and perfect centring of your face and eyes. You'll get a digital file and a print template suitable for common paper sizes like 10×15, A4, A5, or B5.

Need help? Our technical support team is available 24/7.

Canada PR Card Renewal Fees

Renewing or replacing a PR Card costs CAD 50. This fee applies whether your card is about to expire, has expired, is lost, stolen, or damaged.

You must pay the PR Card fee online through the IRCC website when submitting your application. Accepted payment methods include credit cards, prepaid cards, and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, Debit MasterCard, or Visa Debit.

Here is how to pay your PR Card renewal fee online:

1. Go to the IRCC website and navigate to the payment section.
2. Find and select the “Permanent Residence Documents Online Payment” link to access the e-pay services.
3. Set up an account using your email address if you don't already have one. Log in if you do.
4. Choose the PR Card renewal fee, which is CAD 50.
5. Enter your payment details and follow the prompts to finalize the payment.
6. Once payment is made, print the receipt to include with your PR Card renewal application, or save a copy and upload it to the Portal in the Fee Payment section.

PR Card Renewal Waiting Times

The time it takes to process a PR Card renewal in Canada can vary based on the application method and the volume of applications received by IRCC:

• General estimate: On average, renewing a PR Card takes about 45 to 90 days.
• Online applications: If submitted online, processing might take around 104 days.
• Paper applications: For mailed applications, expect processing to take approximately 156 days.

How to check your PR Card renewal status online? — To check your PR Card renewal status online, visit the Client Application Status page. Be sure to have all your application details and identification numbers at hand for logging in.

Additionally, you can contact the IRCC Call Center at 1-888-242-2100 for updates. This service is open only to those within Canada and operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, excluding holidays, providing status updates directly from an agent.

What If Your PR Card Expires While Waiting for Renewal?

If your PR Card expires while you're waiting for its renewal, don't worry — here's what you need to know:

• An expired PR Card doesn't mean you lose your permanent resident status in Canada. Your status as a permanent resident remains intact even if your card has expired.
• Planning to travel outside Canada with an expired PR Card can be problematic. You will need a valid PR Card to re-enter the country. Without it, you might encounter issues when returning to Canada. In such cases, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD), which allows you to enter Canada once but is not a permanent replacement for the PR Card.
• You can still renew your PR Card even after it has expired. And you can still apply for PR Card renewal with an expired passport.
• Keep copies of your application and any related communication with immigration authorities to serve as proof of your ongoing residency status.

Express PR Card Renewal

If you need to travel urgently, there is an option to apply for expedited PR Card renewal under certain conditions. You will need a compelling reason for urgent renewal, such as:

• Travel for work or family emergencies;
• Medical emergencies;
• Immediate job opportunities.

Here is how to express PR Card renewal:

1. Begin by applying for a standard PR Card renewal, online or via a paper form.
2. Specify your need for expedited processing during the application.
3. Pay the additional fee. There is an urgent processing fee of CAD 110, on top of the standard renewal fee of CAD 50. This fee is non-refundable.
4. Include documents that justify your urgent request, such as flight tickets and letters detailing the emergency situation.

Get a professional passport photo from 7ID or Visafoto to expedite your Canada PR Card renewal!