Receiving your First PR Card
It usually takes two months to get your first PR card, starting from the date your application is complete (check the processing times here). You don’t need to apply for your first PR card, however, you need to provide your Canadian address for the application to be complete. There are three ways you can provide your address:
- At landing, to the immigration officer.
- After landing using this webform, or
- After landing by phone at 1-888-242-2100 (only inside Canada, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM).
If the PR card expires, it does not mean that your permanent residence status expires too. To maintain your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days do not need to be continuous.
Applying for a New PR Card
You can apply for a new PR card if:
- the card expires in less than 9 months or has already expired,
- the card is stolen, lost or destroyed,
- you have not received your card within 180 days of your arrival in Canada,
- you need to update your card (legal change of name, citizenship, sex designation, or correction of your date of birth).
If your PR card isn’t ready before you leave Canada or if you’re outside Canada without a valid PR card, you need to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).
