Permanent Residence Renewal

Maintaining Your Permanent Resident Status

Your Permanent Resident (PR) card is proof of your permanent resident status in Canada. While your PR status itself doesn't expire, your PR card does—typically after 5 years. If you want to travel outside Canada and return, or if you need to prove your PR status for employment or other purposes, you need a valid PR card.

Renewing your PR card is generally straightforward if you meet the residency obligation (physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years). However, if you've spent significant time outside Canada, the renewal process becomes more complex and may require careful documentation and explanation.

At Fireweed Immigration, we help permanent residents renew their PR cards, ensure they meet residency obligations, and navigate complications if they've been outside Canada for extended periods.

PR Card Renewal Tips

The 730-Day Rule

To maintain your permanent resident status, you must meet the residency obligation: you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within every 5-year period.

How it's calculated: IRCC looks at the 5 years immediately before they assess your residency obligation (when you apply for PR card renewal, when you return to Canada, or when you apply for a PR travel document).

Days that count toward the 730-day requirement:

• Days you were physically in Canada

• Days you were outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner

• Days you were outside Canada working for a Canadian business (under specific conditions)

• Days you were outside Canada accompanying a permanent resident spouse or common-law partner who was working for a Canadian business (under specific conditions)

When to Renew Your PR Card

You should apply for PR card renewal if:

• Your PR card is expired or will expire within 9 months

• You plan to travel outside Canada and need a valid PR card to return

• Your PR card was lost, stolen, or damaged

• Your personal information has changed (name, gender, date of birth)

• You need proof of PR status for employment or other purposes

Important: You do not need a valid PR card to remain in Canada. You only need it to re-enter Canada after traveling abroad. If you don't plan to travel, you can let your card expire and renew it when needed.

Days that do NOT count:

• Days outside Canada for personal reasons (vacation, family visits, work for non-Canadian employers, living abroad)

How to Renew Your PR Card

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

• Current PR card (even if expired)

• Two photos meeting IRCC specifications

• Proof of residency (travel history, address history, employment records, tax documents, etc.)

• Supporting documents if you've been outside Canada

Step 2: Complete Application Fill out the PR card renewal application accurately, including all travel and address history for the past 5 years.

Step 3: Submit Application Mail your application to IRCC with all supporting documents and photos. You must apply from within Canada.

Step 4: Wait for Processing Current processing times are approximately 4-5 months.

Step 5: Receive Your New PR Card If approved, your new PR card is mailed to your Canadian address.

We can help you:

• Calculate whether you meet the residency obligation

• Gather and organize required documents

• Complete the application accurately

• Provide supporting documentation if you've been outside Canada

• Respond to any IRCC requests for additional information

WHY CHOOSE FIREWEED IMMIGRATION FOR PR CARD RENEWAL

We Calculate Residency Obligations Accurately

We ensure you meet the 730-day requirement and help you document your time in and outside Canada accurately.

We Understand What IRCC Looks For

We know what documentation strengthens residency obligation claims and how to address concerns about time spent outside Canada.

We Handle Non-Compliance Situations

If you don't meet the residency obligation, we assess whether H&C grounds apply and prepare compelling submissions to retain your PR status.

We Can Represent You in Appeals

If your renewal is refused, we can represent you in Immigration Appeal Division proceedings.

We Prepare Complete Applications

PR card renewals require detailed travel and address history. We ensure your application is accurate and complete to avoid delays or refusals.

Special Situations

When PR Card Renewal Gets Complex

You're Outside Canada Without a Valid PR Card

If you're outside Canada and your PR card has expired, you cannot board a commercial flight back to Canada. You need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from outside Canada to return.

We can help with PRTD applications if you're outside Canada and need to return.

Urgent Processing

IRCC does not routinely expedite PR card renewals. However, urgent processing may be granted in exceptional circumstances (compassionate reasons, urgent travel required for work, medical emergencies, etc.).

We can help you:

• Determine if your situation qualifies for urgent processing

• Prepare urgent processing requests with supporting documentation

You Don't Meet the 730-Day Residency Obligation

If you haven't been in Canada for 730 days in the last 5 years, your PR status may be at risk. However, there may be humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) reasons why you should retain your PR status despite not meeting the residency obligation.

H&C considerations include:

• You were outside Canada accompanying a Canadian citizen family member

• You had compelling reasons to be outside Canada (family emergencies, care for ill family members, etc.)

• You've established yourself in Canada and the loss of PR status would cause hardship

• Best interests of children (if you have Canadian citizen or PR children)

We can help you:

• Assess whether you qualify for H&C consideration

• Prepare detailed H&C submissions with your PR card renewal

• Document compelling reasons for your time outside Canada

• Advocate for retention of your PR status

Important: If you don't meet the residency obligation and don't have H&C reasons, you risk losing your PR status. We provide honest assessments of your situation.

What if your PR Card Renewal is Refused?

What happens after refusal?

If your PR card renewal is refused (usually because IRCC determines you don't meet the residency obligation and there are insufficient H&C reasons), you have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD).

We can represent you in IAD appeals.

If you do not appeal (or your appeal is unsuccessful), you lose your PR status and would need to leave Canada or apply for a new immigration status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a PR card valid?

PR cards are typically valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

What if I lost my PR card?

Apply for a replacement card using the same PR card renewal process. You'll need to explain how the card was lost and provide a police report if it was stolen.

When should I apply to renew my PR card?

Apply within 9 months of your card's expiry date. If your card has already expired, you can still apply for renewal as long as you still meet the residency obligation.

Do I need to renew my PR card if I'm applying for citizenship?

No. If you're applying for citizenship and don't plan to travel outside Canada before your citizenship ceremony, you don't need to renew your PR card.

Can I stay in Canada with an expired PR card?

Yes. Your PR status doesn't expire even if your card does. You can remain in Canada with an expired PR card. However, you cannot use an expired PR card to re-enter Canada after traveling abroad.

What if my PR card renewal is refused?

If refused (usually for not meeting residency obligations), you can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within 60 days. We can represent you in appeals.

The government fee for PR card renewal is currently $50 CAD. Our service fees are provided during consultation.

How much does PR card renewal cost?

If you leave Canada while your renewal application is being processed and your PR card expires while you're gone, you'll need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from outside Canada to return. It's generally better to wait until you receive your new card before traveling.

Can I travel while my PR card renewal is being processed?

If you haven't been in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years, you don't meet the residency obligation and your PR status is at risk. You may still be able to retain PR status if you have humanitarian and compassionate reasons. Contact us to assess your situation.

What if I've been outside Canada for more than 3 years in the last 5 years?

Need to Renew Your PR Card?

Whether your renewal is straightforward or you have residency obligation concerns, we're here to help.