IMM 5529 Guide: Applying for a Permanent Resident Travel Document
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.
Table of Contents
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.
Overview
Who should use this application guide?
Use this application if you are a permanent resident outside Canada who does not have a valid Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) to return to Canada.
We issue Permanent Resident Travel Documents (PRTDs) to permanent residents so they can satisfy transportation companies that they are allowed to travel to Canada as permanent residents.
If you have a:
- Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
These documents are not valid for travel to Canada. You must have a PR Card or a PRTD to re-enter Canada by train, plane, boat or bus.
Who should not apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document?
- Canadian citizens
- Foreign Nationals who do not have Permanent Resident status
- Permanent residents with a valid PR Card
- Permanent residents in Canada
- Permanent residents who want to voluntarily give up (renounce) their permanent residence status
- Past Permanent Residents who have lost their PR status
Note: Permanent residents inside Canada should apply for a PR Card using the application kit Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5445).
What are the requirements?
To apply for a PRTD you need to:
- prove who you are;
- confirm your permanent resident status; and
- meet the residency obligation of a permanent resident.
Use the Document Checklist (IMM 5627) (PDF, 1.51MB) to make sure you have all the documents needed. Send the checklist with your application.
Important information:
You must send your original, valid passport. We need this to attach your Permanent Resident Travel Document.
Send photocopies of all other identity and immigration documents. Do not send originals, as they will not be returned to you. See the document checklist for more details.
Residency obligation
Calculating days present in Canada
If you have been a permanent resident for five (5) years or more
- you must have been physically present in Canada for a minimum of 730 days within the five (5) years immediately before you apply for a PRTD.
If you have been a permanent resident for less than five (5) years
- you must show that you will be able to meet the minimum of 730 days of physical presence in Canada within five (5) years of the date you became a permanent resident.
Time spent outside Canada
You may count days you spent outside Canada as days where you meet the residency obligation in these cases:
Option 1. Accompanying a Canadian citizen outside Canada
You may count each day you accompanied a Canadian citizen outside Canada as long as this person is your spouse, common-law partner or parent (if you are a child under 19 years of age).
Proof needed
You must provide supporting documents to prove that:
- The person you are accompanying is a Canadian citizen; and
- you are the spouse, common-law partner or child of that person.
Supporting documents may include:
- Mandatory:
- all passports or other travel documents that the person you are accompanying used in the five (5) years before the application;
- documents showing the citizenship of the person you are accompanying, including the date the person became a Canadian citizen;
- proof of the residential addresses of the person you are accompanying for the five (5) years before the application;
- marriage licence or proof of common-law partnership (if you are accompanying a spouse or common-law partner);
- child’s birth certificate, baptismal document, or adoption or legal guardianship document (if you are accompanying a parent);
- You may also include:
- Canadian Income Tax Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the past two (2) years
- school or employment records;
- association or club memberships;
- any other documents you want us to consider.
