Canada PR travel document (PRTD): guide for permanent residents

My PR card has expired. Can I still travel? If your Canadian Permanent Resident card is no longer valid, you won't be able to use it for boarding a commercial aeroplane, train, or bus to get back to Canada. To return via commercial transport, you’ll need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at a Canadian visa office outside of the country.

This article provides a detailed overview of how to apply for a Canadian PR travel document, offering valuable tips on how to take the perfect PRTD photo in just a few seconds.

Table of contents

• What is a PR Travel Document in Canada?
• Who needs a PRTD?
• PRTD eligibility requirements
• PRTD vs Refugee travel document: the difference
• How to apply for a Canadian PR Travel Document: step-by-step guide
• Documents required for a PRTD application
• IRCC photo requirements
• Get a digital photo for a PRTD application online!
• IRCC Photo App
• PRTD fees
• PR Travel Document processing time
• Validity and use of the PRTD
• FAQ

What is a PR Travel Document in Canada?

A Canadian PR Travel Document (PRTD) is a temporary travel document for permanent residents who are abroad and don’t have a current PR card. It enables these individuals to return to Canada using commercial transportation, such as planes, trains, buses, or ships, when their PR card has expired, been lost, or been stolen.

Who needs a PRTD?

You need to apply for a PRTD if you:

• are a permanent resident of Canada;
• are currently outside of Canada;
• don’t have a valid PR card (whether it's expired, misplaced, or missing);
• intend to return to Canada using commercial transportation (like an airplane, train, ship, or bus);
• satisfy the residency requirement (generally being in Canada for at least 730 days within the past five years).

Canadian citizens, permanent residents with a valid PR card, and foreign nationals without Canadian PR status don’t need a PRTD.

PRTD eligibility requirements

To qualify for a Canadian PRTD, you must:

• maintain valid permanent resident status in Canada;
• be located outside Canada when applying;
• lack a current PR card, whether it's expired, missing, or misplaced;
• plan to travel back to Canada using commercial transportation like a plane, ship, train, or bus;
• fulfill the residency requirement, which typically means living in Canada for at least 730 days (or 2 years) out of the last 5 years. If you’ve been a permanent resident for less than 5 years, you must demonstrate the potential to meet the 730-day requirement within the first 5 years;
• provide documentation to prove residency compliance, such as job records, bank statements, tax documents, or lease agreements.

PRTD vs Refugee travel document: the difference

A PRTD and a Refugee Travel Document are designed for different individuals and uses. A PRTD is intended for permanent residents who need to return to Canada without a valid PR card.

In contrast, a Refugee Travel Document is for refugees or protected persons in Canada who cannot get a national passport, allowing them to travel globally except to their birth country.

How to apply for a Canadian PR Travel Document: step-by-step guide

You can now apply for your travel document for PR Canada online. Here’s how:

1. Gather photocopies of all required documents.
2. Sign up through the Permanent Residence Portal.
3. Complete the online application:
   • Fill out the Application for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (IMM 5444) along with any additional forms (such as IMM 5476 for designating a representative or IMM 5475 for consent to share information) if needed.
   • Ensure every section is filled out; mark any non-applicable sections as "N/A".
4. If urgent processing is needed (such as for emergencies), indicate this and attach relevant documents like medical records or travel plans.
5. Pay the fees and include the payment receipt with your application.
6. Send in the application. After submission, you can track your application’s progress online through the portal.
7. Once back in Canada, promptly apply for a new PR card.

If you cannot apply online and need alternative formats, including for accessibility needs, you can apply on paper. To do this, download the form, complete it electronically to reduce errors, and ensure it is validated before you print and sign it.

For more detailed information, refer to the PR travel document guide on the official IRCC website.

Documents required for a PRTD application

When applying for a Canadian PRTD, you'll need to gather the following documents:

• A fully filled-out and signed application form (IMM 5444).
• Two passport-sized photos.
• A copy of your valid passport, including all passports used in the past five years and their photo pages (originals are not to be sent).
• Proof of your permanent resident status in Canada, which could be:
  • your Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Record of Landing,
  • an expired PR card,
  • a police report if your PR card or related documents are lost or stolen,
  • a Returning Resident Permit, if applicable.
• Evidence that you meet the residency requirement, such as showing physical presence in Canada for at least 730 days within the last five years. This can include:
  • employment records or pay stubs;
  • bank statements;
  • notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the past five years;
  • rental agreements;
  • proof of receiving government benefits;
  • other supporting documents indicating your residency.
• Payment confirmation.
• A letter explaining any reasons for staying outside Canada (if necessary).
• Additional forms, if relevant, such as documents for legal name changes or travel permissions for minors travelling alone.

To ensure you've included everything you need, use the Document Checklist (IMM 5644).

IRCC photo requirements

For applications by paper, two identical photos are needed, while only one digital photo is required for online submissions. The photo requirements set by IRCC are quite specific in terms of size, quality, and other aspects:

• Photos for a PR card or PRTD should measure 50 × 70 mm (2 inches × 2 ¾ inches).
The head size should be between 31 and 36 mm from chin to crown. For digital submissions, images should be in JPEG/JPG format, with dimensions between 715 × 1000 to 2000 × 2800 pixels and a maximum file size of 4 MB. Photos must be recent, specifically taken within the past 6 to 12 months, depending on the application type. Printed photos need to be in colour or black and white, and on high-quality photographic paper. The subject should have a neutral facial expression, with a closed mouth and open eyes, looking straight at the camera. A plain white or light-colored background should be used, and there should be no shadows. No eyeglasses are allowed unless medically necessary. Head coverings are only permitted for religious reasons, as long as the face is fully visible. For printed photos, write the name, studio address, date, and name of the person photographed on the back of each picture.

Here is a photo example:

Get a digital photo for a PRTD application online!

Getting a photo that meets PRTD application requirements is easy with online professional tools. Visafoto.com is a great service that can quickly adjust your photo to meet IRCC standards. Since 2013, Visafoto has specialized in preparing photos for passports, visas, driver's licenses, and other documents globally.

Simply take your picture in natural daylight and upload it to the tool below. We handle the formatting, background, size, and dimensions for you. If you're not satisfied with the result, we'll replace the photo at no cost. And if the photo is rejected by authorities, we offer a full refund.

Example of a photo you can upload to Visafoto:

You'll receive two versions of your photo: a digital file (usable for future ID applications) and a print-ready template.

IRCC Photo App

If you prefer using your smartphone, try the 7ID App by Visafoto.com to make a perfect IRCC photo. This app is convenient for creating ID, passport, and visa photos directly from your phone and is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Using 7ID is simple: upload your photo, select the document type and country, and the app will auto-adjust your image to meet official guidelines, including size, format, background colour, and accurate positioning of your face and eyes.

You'll get a digital copy and a print template compatible with standard paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. Our support team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.

PRTD fees

The cost to apply for a Canadian PRTD in 2025 is CAD 50. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid online through the IRCC payment portal as part of your application process.

PR Travel Document processing time

For a Canadian PRTD, waiting times can vary based on the number of applications and the specifics of your case. PRTD processing time outside Canada typically takes about 2 to 8 weeks, but it may be longer if additional documents or information are needed. For urgent cases, like a family emergency, you can request faster processing, though this is not guaranteed.

Validity and use of the PRTD

What is the validity of PRTD Canada? A PRTD is usually valid for a single entry, allowing one return trip to Canada. If you meet the residency requirements and seek a multiple-entry PRTD, you may add a cover letter explaining your circumstances to your application for consideration.

Note: Multiple-entry PRTDs cannot have a validity date beyond your passport's expiration.

FAQ

Can I apply for a PRTD inside Canada?

No, this travel document is for PR cardholders who are currently outside Canada and lack a valid PR card to return. If you are in Canada, you should apply for a PR card online through the Permanent Residence Portal.

How many times can I get a PRTD?

You can apply for a PRTD multiple times as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, including the residency requirement. Generally, each PRTD is valid for a single entry back to Canada, and you’ll need to apply for a new one each time you travel without a valid PR card. Multiple-entry PRTDs are rarely issued and only in exceptional circumstances.

What happens if my PR card expires while I am overseas?

Even if your PR card expires abroad, your permanent resident status remains intact, though you cannot use an expired card to return to Canada on a commercial flight. You will need to apply for a PR travel document outside Canada. Once back in Canada, promptly apply for a new PR card, as airlines or other commercial transport may deny you boarding without a valid card or PRTD.

Can I apply for urgent processing of my PRTD?

Yes, you can request urgent processing of a PRTD if you need to return to Canada within 5 days. Clearly mark your application as urgent, provide travel proof like tickets, and include documents explaining the urgent nature, such as a medical certificate or death notice. For online submissions, choose "Yes, my request is urgent" in the portal, and for mailed applications, write "urgent" on the envelope. However, urgent processing is not guaranteed.

Can I use the PRTD to travel to other countries?

No, a travel document for a PR holder in Canada is not valid for travel to other countries. It only verifies your permanent resident status for returning to Canada on a commercial carrier when a PR card is not available. To visit other countries, you need a valid passport from your country or an accepted travel document, plus any necessary visas.

Can I apply for a PRTD if I lost my PR card?

If you lose your PR card while outside Canada, you can’t use it to return. You must apply for a Canada travel document if your PR card has expired, been lost or stolen.