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Timeline for receiving a Canadian Permanent Resident card

A PR Card will be mailed out to all new immigrants within 30 days of entry. The processing time for replacements for lost or stolen PR Cards, or PR Cards for applicants who entered Canada before June 28, 2002 is currently 59 days (as of July 2006).
For updates in processing times for Canadian Permanent Resident cards, please check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.


Can my application be processed faster?

In urgent cases it is sometimes possible to speed up the processing time for a PR Card. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada will evaluate the need on a per-case basis. Here’s what you can do yourself to speed up your Canadian Permanent Resident Card application process:

1. If you have not yet sent your application be sure to do so as quickly as possible and contact Immigroup’s office as quickly as possible. We will quickly send you all related Permanent Resident Card application forms or you can come to our Toronto or Montreal location and have everything done on the spot.

2. If you have sent your PR Card application within the processing times posted on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website fax the following information to Immigroup at 416-640-2650: Your surname and given name, your client ID number (if you have one), your birth date, your home address, your telephone number, your e-mail address (if you have one), a copy of your plane ticket and a copy of the pages in your passport showing your name, photograph and birth date.

Once this information has been received by our office, you will be contacted within the same day to let you know whether you have a chance to speed up your PR Card application process. Remember that you are sending your information to our company first. In turn, we review it to make sure it is in order. The Immigroup representative will deal with the government on your behalf. 

3. If you sent your application after the processing times posted on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website you can check the status of your application through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s e-Client Application Status page. If they have started to process your application follow the steps listed above under number two. If processing of your PR Card application has not begun then you may want to apply for a temporary travel document. You can get one through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada or by calling Immigroup.


Delivering a Canadian Permanent Resident Card.

PR Cards for new immigrants will be sent by mail to the address given at the time of entry – if you did not give an address at that time, you should provide one as soon as possible to the PR Card centre or your representative. 

Current Canadian Permanent Residents who request a card will have to pick their cards up at the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada office. A notice will be sent to you when your PR Card is ready. PR Cards must be picked up within 180 days of issue or they will be cancelled.


If the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office is too far away from me, can my Canadian Permanent Resident Card be mailed to me?

Existing Canadian Permanent Residents who request a PR Card are required to pick it up in person in order to confirm their identity. However, if you are unable to appear at your appointment you can contact the PR Card Call Centre to make alternate arrangements.

Within Toronto, if you miss your first appointment a second one will be automatically rescheduled for you within 90 days. A letter will be sent to you telling you the time of the new appointment.

If you miss your second appointment a third one will be scheduled for you. If you do not attend the third, and final, appointment, your card will be destroyed and you will have to reapply.

Outside of Toronto if you miss your first appointment you must call to reschedule yourself. If you do not reschedule a notice will be sent to you near the end of the six-month (180 day) period. After 180 days a PR Card that has not been picked up will be destroyed.


Canadian Permanent Resident card are valid for 5 years.

The PR Card is valid for five years from the time it is issued. When a Canadian Permanent Resident with a PR Card becomes a citizen the Citizenship and Immigration Canada revokes the card. Citizens must possess a Canadian Passport for travel outside of Canada.


Leaving Canada before receiving a Canadian Permanent Resident Card.

It is recommended that you wait until you have received your PR Card before leaving Canada. However, if circumstances do not allow you to wait, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Abroad Travel Document. This Application can be done through our office. You will need this document in order to board a commercial carrier to return to Canada.

If, however, you hold a passport from a visitor visa exempt country most carriers will allow you to travel. Upon returning to Canada you will be required to show proof of your Canadian Permanent Residence.