Your Permanent Resident (PR) card is your proof of PR status for travel and services. Cards are valid for five years and must be renewed from inside Canada. Here’s the current process.
TL;DR
– Renew when your card expires within 9 months, or immediately if lost/stolen/destroyed — apply from inside Canada.
– You must still meet the residency obligation: 730 days of physical presence in Canada in any 5-year period.
– IRCC publishes current fees and processing times — verify both before applying.
– If your PR status is in question (long absences), resolve that first — a renewal application can trigger a residency review.
When to renew
Situation | Action |
|---|---|
Card expires within 9 months | Apply now |
Card already expired | You keep PR status, but renew before travelling |
Card lost, stolen or destroyed | Apply for a replacement immediately |
Name/other details changed | Apply for a replacement with supporting documents |
The residency obligation (the real gate)
Renewing the card is administrative; maintaining PR status is the substantive test: you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within the last 5 years (with limited exceptions — accompanying a Canadian spouse abroad, certain work postings, human/discretionary grounds). If your time abroad is significant, get advice before applying — a renewal application can put your status under review.
Applying
- Get the application package from IRCC’s PR card renewal page.
- Prepare: current/expired card, passport or travel documents, photos meeting specifications, proof of residency if requested, fee payment.
- Submit from an address inside Canada (the card is mailed to a Canadian address).
- Check current processing time on IRCC’s official tool.
Travelling while renewing
You cannot use an expired card to return to Canada by commercial carrier. If you must travel before the new card arrives, IRCC has limited urgent-processing and travel-document options — plan ahead.
FAQ
How much does PR card renewal cost?
IRCC publishes the current fee on its official page — verify at application time.
How long does renewal take?
Check IRCC’s processing-times tool; times change. Apply well before any planned travel.
Can I renew an expired PR card from outside Canada?
No — renewal applications are submitted from inside Canada. Outside Canada with an expired card, you need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).
Related
Official sources
- IRCC — Renew a PR card (accessed 2026-10-27)