A Permanent Resident (PR) card is an official document that confirms a person’s permanent resident status in Canada. It is commonly used as a travel document for entering and exiting the country.

Applications for PR cards are submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Most PR cards are valid for five years, although some may be issued for one year depending on individual circumstances. The expiry date is clearly printed on the card, and once it expires, it cannot be used for travel.

If your PR card is expiring within six months, it is recommended to apply for renewal in advance. New PR card applications generally take around 45 days after a complete application is received, while renewal applications may take approximately 104 days to process.

Temporary Travel Document

In emergency situations, Canadian government offices abroad may issue a temporary or emergency travel document to Canadian residents who are outside the country and unable to obtain a passport.

This document allows individuals to travel back to Canada or their country of residence for urgent purposes. The processing time is typically around three months, and it remains the same whether the application is submitted in person or by mail.