Permanent Resident Card FAQ

If this happens you should immediately call Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If you had it stolen or lost it, we also advise that you call the police.

Yes, it is mandatory for all Canadian Permanent Residents to present a valid PR Card to personnel before boarding any flight, bus, boat or train returning to Canada and to an immigration officer when you enter Canada.

Yes. All Canadian Permanent Residents, including children, must show a valid PR Card in order to re-enter Canada.
Children of Canadian Permanent Residents who were born in Canada are Canadian Citizens and only need a valid Canadian Passport for re-entry to Canada.

There is only space for 20 letters for a last name and 15 letters for first and middle names on a PR Card. If your name is longer than this it will be incomplete on your PR Card. But it is completely acceptable and will not present a problem, even if the name that appears on you SIN card is complete, and therefore different from the name that appears on your PR Card.
If, however, your name is spelled incorrectly, you should call Immigroup at 1-866-760-2623 and they will arrange for a replacement card to be sent with your name spelled properly. If there is a problem with your Record of Landing please call Immigroup as soon as possible.

No. The PR Card is only required for a return to Canada by commercial carrier, such as a boat, bus, train or airplane. We do advise, however, that you have it with you when you travel.

Yes. As of December 30, 2003 the IMM 1000 is no longer considered a valid document for return to Canada. This includes certified copies of IMM 1000 forms, IMM 1000 forms stamped “Not valid for travel” and Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or IMM 5292, forms. These documents will continue to be valid while you are outside of Canada, however in order to return to Canada you will need a PR Card or a Temporary Travel Document.

Canadian Permanent residents who are outside of Canada and wish to return, but do not have a PR Card, can apply for a Temporary Travel Document. The application must be downloaded and submitted to the applicable Canadian visa office.

No, you are only required to provide a work history for the years that you have been a Canadian Permanent Resident.

It is possible that certain Canadian agencies will ask to see your PR Card to verify whether or not you are eligible for certain programs and services.

Yes. However, if you are already a landed immigrant and do not have a PR Card, the cost to obtain one is $50 per applicant. Remember if you require assistants for an Immigroup representative there will be extra charges.

If you are going to change the name on your PR Card, you must include a notarized copy of the change of name (divorce certificate, marriage certificate, recognition of legal change of name) and you must include your Record of Landing.

If you wish to correct this mistake, the process can be very simple or extremely complicated. How easy it will be to amend it will depend on what has to be changed and what caused the mistake to happen. Please contact our office if you have noticed a mistake on your landing paper.

 If you have a criminal record, this does not affect the PR Card, but it could cause problems if you decide to travel, especially to the United States. Also, a criminal record may affect your Canadian citizenship when you choose to apply. You should call us or give the Citizenship and Immigration a call.

This depends on how you are sending your application. If you are sending it by regular mail, you should send it to:

P.O. Box 10020
Sydney, NS
B1P 7C1

However, if you are sending it by courier, you must send your application to:

210 George Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 1J3

Simply send your travel booking with your PR application and mark on the envelope “urgent: traveling soon”.  

The government will send you a cover sheet explaining the problem(s) with your application. Carefully read and follow all instructions (remember this is only a standard letter) and adjust your application to meet requirements. It a good idea to courier your package to them (not through Canada Post registered mail) and give them a call 5-10 business after they have received it to do a status check up.    

If you have just immigrated to Canada you will receive your PR Card to the address you have provided at the time of entry. If you have filed a renewal PR application a family member cannot pick up the PR Card even with a letter allowing them.

Go to CIC web site and get your electronic pick up notice there or give them a call at 1-888-242-2100. But if you remember where to go and the date you need to be there, you can still show up with your Passport, landing paper (IMM 1000) and one photo ID this should be enough for the officer to find you on there system.

Passport, landing paper (IMM 1000), photo ID and your pick up notice for CIC.

Please visit https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/?app=ecas&lang=en

It's most reassuring to get the same question answered the same way twice from a government officer. To do this you may need to call a few times. If this does not work, speak to some one in the private sector they usually have a more practical hands on experience. 

Yes, but in put each application in different envelopes. This does not mean that all application will be ready at the same time. 

It a good idea to report it to the police, but this is not a must. To replace your PR Card you will need to start from the begging and file a new application.

About 30 days after you have arrived, the government will send it to the address you have given them, and so if your not living there you will need to check at that mailbox. Sometimes, the pictures that were sent to CIC will be incorrect. You will be notified and asked to go to a local CIC office to have your pictures re-done. This will cause a delay in the delivery of your PR Card.  

You will have to file a new application, you can get the kit on this website. Just click here.