How Do I Renew My PR Card, and How Long Does It Take?
Apply to renew your PR card online through the Permanent Residence Portal when it expires in less than 9 months (or has already expired). The fee is $50. You'll need a recent photo, a copy of your passport and current card, and proof that you meet the 730-day residency obligation. IRCC doesn't give a fixed processing time, so check its processing times tool and apply early. Urgent processing is possible in some cases, but takes at least 3 weeks.
When should I renew?
- When your card expires in less than 9 months, or has already expired.
- If your card is valid for more than 9 months (270 days), a renewal application will be returned, unless your legal name or gender has changed.
Remember: an expired PR card doesn't mean you've lost PR status. But you need a valid card (or a travel document) to return to Canada by plane, boat, train or bus.
What do I need?
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application form (IMM 5444) | Completed online in the Permanent Residence Portal |
| Document checklist (IMM 5644) | Upload with your application |
| Photo | Taken within 12 months, meeting IRCC's specifications |
| Passport copy | Showing the number, dates, name, photo and date of birth |
| Copy of your current PR card | |
| Two pieces of residency evidence | For example pay stubs, bank statements or CRA notices of assessment |
| Fee receipt | $50, paid through IRCC's online payment system |
List every trip outside Canada in the travel table on the form. Don't send originals.
The residency check
To get a new card, you must meet the residency obligation: 730 days in Canada in the last 5 years. If you can't, you may still be able to keep your status on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. You'd answer question 5.7 on the form, explain why you couldn't meet the obligation, and describe the hardship that losing status would cause.
If you're unsure whether you meet 730 days, count carefully before applying, and get advice if you're close.
Step by step
- Check your card's expiry date and count your days in Canada.
- Pay the $50 fee online and save the receipt.
- Apply in the Permanent Residence Portal, uploading your form, checklist, photo, passport, current card, residency evidence and receipt.
- Watch for instructions: your card is mailed to you, or IRCC contacts you to pick it up in person. If you're asked to pick it up, bring your old card and original documents.
Your current card stops being valid 60 days after the new card is issued.
How long does it take?
IRCC doesn't publish a fixed time on its PR card pages; check the processing times tool for the current estimate before you plan travel. Apply as soon as your card is within 9 months of expiring.
Can I get urgent processing?
| Your situation | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Leaving Canada in more than 3 weeks for an urgent reason | Apply for a PR card and mark it urgent |
| Leaving Canada in less than 3 weeks | IRCC can't process a card in time. Once outside Canada, with your flight back within 5 days, apply urgently for a PRTD |
| Already outside Canada | You can't apply for a PR card. Apply for a PRTD to return |
Urgent reasons include a job opportunity, your own serious illness or a family member's serious illness or death, or a card lost or stolen while you're abroad. Include proof of travel, a letter explaining the urgency, and supporting documents. IRCC doesn't guarantee your card will arrive in time.
What if I'm outside Canada?
PR cards can't be delivered overseas. If you're outside Canada without a valid card, apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to return. A PRTD application also includes a residency check. If you're returning by private vehicle at a land border, other documents may be accepted.
Common mistakes we see
- Applying too early. Applications with more than 9 months of validity are returned.
- Booking travel before the new card arrives. You may need a PRTD to come back.
- An incomplete travel history. Every absence must be listed.
- Not checking 730 days first. The renewal includes a residency check.
Every situation is different. GLC Immigration Consulting can help in three ways:
- Consultation: a one-on-one session with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, to review your situation and your options.
- Full representation: we prepare and submit your application and act as your authorized representative with IRCC, from start to finish.
- Pre-submission review: you prepare your own application, and we review it for errors, gaps and risks before you submit.
To request full representation or a pre-submission review, or for any other question, email us at hello@gradlifecanada.ca.
Frequently asked questions
When can I renew my PR card?
When it expires in less than 9 months, or has already expired. Earlier applications are returned unless your legal name or gender has changed.
How much does it cost to renew a PR card?
$50 per person.
How long does PR card renewal take?
IRCC doesn't give a fixed time on its PR card pages. Check IRCC's processing times tool for the current estimate.
Does an expired PR card mean I've lost my PR status?
No. Your status continues, but you need a valid PR card or a travel document to return to Canada by commercial transport.
Can I renew my PR card from outside Canada?
No. PR cards can't be delivered overseas. If you're outside Canada without a valid card, apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document to return.
Fact-checked: Based on IRCC's Get, renew or replace a PR card page (August 4, 2026), Guide 5445 (October 16, 2026), Apply urgently for a PR card or PRTD, and Help Centre answers on PR card fees and processing times. Verified November 4, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
Book a consultation · hello@gradlifecanada.ca