Canada’s entry rules have changed
Permanent residents (PR) of Canada must carry and show their valid PR Card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier.
If you do not carry your PR Card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
It is your responsibility to make sure your PR Card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada and to apply for a new PR Card before your current card expires.
This is not a legal document. The explanations and definitions are not legal definitions. In case of a discrepancy between the language in this document and the relevant legislation or regulations, the legal text in the legislation and regulations prevails.
For legal information, see the:
This information will help you complete the forms and guide you through the application process.
This application package has:
The instruction guide:
Read the instruction guide completely and then fill out each of the applicable forms.
The forms are designed with questions that will help the processing of your application.
The permanent resident card (PR Card) is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada.
You need a PR Card if:
Use this application if you are a permanent resident in Canada who wants to apply for:
If you are a new permanent resident, you will automatically receive your new card by mail when you first arrive in Canada. This is part of the immigration process and you do not need to apply for a PR Card.
To be eligible for a PR Card, you must:
If you are outside Canada and do not have a valid PR Card to return, you must get a Permanent Resident Travel Document from a Visa Application Centre or a Canadian visa office.
Most PR card applicants do not need to give biometrics.
However, you’ll need to give your biometrics and pay the biometrics fee if
Once you’ve paid the application and biometrics fees, you’ll get a biometric instructions letter (BIL) which will direct you to a list of biometric collection service points you may choose from. You must bring the BIL with you to the biometric collection service point. You can’t give your biometrics without this letter.
We encourage you to give your biometrics as soon as possible after you get the BIL. We’ll start processing your application after we get your biometrics.
You need to book an appointment to give your biometrics at one of these official biometric collection service points. As of December 3, 2019, you can go to a designated Service Canada location to give your biometrics in Canada.
You may be eligible for Canadian citizenship if:
You may be able to use some of your time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person towards your physical presence calculation. Each day spent physically in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident within the last five years will count as one half day, with a maximum of 365 days, towards your physical presence.
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