Permanent Resident Card Application Kit – Do It Yourself

What is the Permanent Resident Card?

The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is an identity document that states your identity as a permanent resident of Canada. You can use your card to apply for government documents such as a Social Insurance Number or a Health Card, but you cannot use it to enter another country. You will need to use your passport to enter a foreign country (along with any applicable visas) and your PR Card to enter back into Canada.

Who can apply for a Permanent Resident Card?

Only permanent residents of Canada who have maintained their status as a permanent resident can apply for this card. However, if you were just landed or are about to be landed, your application will be sent by immigration officers on the day you entered Canada. You do not have to submit an application. However, if you never received your card, or lost it, had it stolen, or are renewing your card then you must fill out this application.

 

How long does it take to get the card?

If you applied on regular basis, it should take about two months to receive your card.

Can it be expedited?

Yes, you may have your PR Card processed quicker. However, you must show proof that you will be travelling out of the country or have a valid reason of urgency.

What do you have to fill out?

If you are applying for a new PR Card, you must fill out form IMM 5444. While parts of this form are straightforward, there may be areas that may cause some confusion to the applicant.

Date you became a permanent resident of Canada: This is the date when you first entered Canada as a permanent resident. Check your Record of Landing for this date.

Section A.2: Name Change: This applies if you have legally changed your name since you first came into the country. Examples of this can include a woman who got married and adopted her husband’s last name or of someone from another country who adopted an anglicized name.

Section C.16: Address, work, and educational history: You must list all your addresses where you have lived for the past 5 years or since you became a permanent resident. This includes any addresses outside of Canada. If you returned to your native country for a few months, you must list the address where you were living.

Section C.17: Educational and/or work experience: You must list all of your educational and/or work experiences since becoming a permanent resident of Canada. This includes any experiences you had even if you were outside of Canada.

Section C.18: Travelled or lived outside of Canada: If you have travelled outside of Canada or lived outside the country at any point since becoming a permanent resident, you must list all the places that are applicable.

Section D: Residency Obligation: In order to receive a new PR Card, Citizenship and Immigration must verify that you are still eligible to be a permanent resident of the country. The law stipulates that if you have been outside of Canada for 1095 days or more (3 years) in a period of five years since receiving your residency, then you have lost your PR status.

However, the law does regulate that a person who has left the country under certain conditions will not have the days that they were absent count against their residency obligation. These conditions are:

1. If you left in the company of Canadian spouse or guardian. You will have to provide proof of that person’s citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card) as well as proof of your relationship (marriage certificate or guardianship papers) and that you were in their company.
2. If you were sent overseas by a Canadian business or by a Canadian federal or provincial public service. You must provide evidence of your employment overseas.
3.  If you were in the company of a Canadian spouse or guardian who was sent overseas by a Canadian business or employed by either a provincial or federal agency. You must prove both that you are related to or in the guardianship of the person and that the person was employed by a Canadian business or governmental agency abroad.
4. If you were absent while in possession of a valid “Returning Resident Permit” (RRP). An RRP is a document that will allow you to keep your residency while you are outside of Canada. The document states that you have no intention of abandoning your residency even though you are outside Canada. You can apply for this permit at a Canadian consulate.

Section F: Declaration of Guarantor: A guarantor is a person who can serve as someone that verifies that the information you have provided is true. Not anyone can be a guarantor. Your guarantor must be someone of a profession (doctor, lawyer, professional engineer, police officer, dentist) who has known you for over two years. The day your guarantor signs your application must on the same date or after you have signed your application. If you do not know any person who meets the criteria described above, please see section H for instructions.

Section G: Solemn declaration concerning a lost, stolen, destroyed, or never received PR Card: You must only fill this part out if you lost your card, had it stolen, destroyed, or you never received the PR Card. Citizenship and Immigration will want to know what happened to the PR Card and what measures you have taken to find it.

1. If you lost your PR Card: You should write where you normally keep your PR Card and what caused it to be lost. Also indicate the steps that you took to find the card.
2. If your PR Card was stolen: Indicate at what time and place the theft took place. You should also notify local police of the theft and include a copy of the police report in your submission.
3. If your PR Card was destroyed: Indicate what caused the PR Card to be destroyed and if you can still produce your card, include it in the application.
4. If you never received your card: If you have yet to receive your PR Card, indicate when you applied for it, and (if possible) provide proof that the application was received by Citizenship and Immigration. Also indicate that you have waited the regular time to receive the card and that you have contacted Citizenship and Immigration to find out the status of your card.

Section H: Statutory declaration in lieu of guarantor: If you are unable to produce someone who meets the criteria of a guarantor, you must fill this part out. You must indicate why you are unable to produce a guarantor and list three photo identity documents you will be presenting. You must have a notary public, Commissioner, or someone authorized to administer oaths sign and seal this section.

Supplementary Form: This is a form you must order from Citizenship and Immigration. In this form you will have a box where you will sign. Make sure your signature stays well within the white box. Your application will not be processed unless you include both the application and Supplementary form. The supplementary form must be ordered through the Citizenship and Immigration website. To order your supplementary form, please call 1-888-242-2100

What other documents must be included?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will require you to submit the additional supporting documents with your application. Please see the attached checklist to make sure you have all the necessary documentation included in your application. Any missing documentation could cause a delay in processing.

Note: Any document that is not in English or French will have to be translated into either language.
Note: The only original document you should send is your expired/expiring or damaged PR Card. You must include clear photocopies of the other documents.

You must also include two, identical photographs that meet the Permanent Resident Card requirement. Please print out the photo specification page and take it to a commercial photographer

Where do I send my application?

Once we have called you back and discussed your case, you must send your PR Card application to our head office in Toronto:

 

FAQs:

What happens if I lost my PR Card overseas?

If you lose your PR Card while you are outside of Canada, you should go to a Canadian Embassy or Consulate and apply for an Emergency Travel Document. This will allow you to return into the country.

What do I do if need to travel and I just submitted an application?

If you have to travel and will not be getting your PR Card before you travel, you should continue with your travel plans. While abroad, however, you should make an application for an Emergency Travel Document.

Can I use my PR card to go to the United States?

No. The PR Card is not a travel document. It is not a replacement for a passport or visa. The PR card is used when coming back from a trip to prove your permanent resident status. If you are travelling to the United States, you will need your valid passport, PR Card, and very likely a US visa. Please call us for an assessment of your case at 1-866-760-2623.

Can my family member pick up my PR card on my behalf?

No. You must pick up your PR card in person. Only newly arrived immigrants receive their PR card by mail at the address they have provided at the time of entry into Canada.

OTHER RESOURCES

If you are in need of a travel document, please click here to see a list of Canadian diplomatic posts overseas.