Canada has been welcoming new permanent residents since 2002—that’s the year the first PR card was issued. The last year, 2022, turned out to be historic, with the highest number of 431,645 permanent residents registered by the Government of Canada.
Every Canadian permanent resident needs their card for travel and proof of identity; that is why it is essential to keep this document up to date.
This post includes detailed instructions on how to renew your PR card. You will also learn about PhotoAiD®—an innovative photo tool, thanks to which you can take a picture for your PR card at home!
Renewal of PR card
Permanent resident cards are valid for 5 (five) years. Permanent residents of Canada need to show their card every time they re-enter the country. Here’s what you need to know before renewing your PR card. Remember to do it at least 6 (six) months before the expiry date.
PR card renewal: requirements
First of all, to renew a PR card, the holder must still be a permanent resident of Canada. To keep this status, an individual must have lived in the country for at least 730 days during the last 5 (five) years.
Note: This requirement pertains to the overall time spent in Canada; it does not have to be continuous.
You must also provide a valid passport to renew your PR card. Other documents required for a permanent resident card renewal will be listed later on in this article.
Last but not least, every applicant must be present in Canada while applying for their PR card renewal. There are only a few instances when a Canadian permanent resident can renew their PR card abroad:
- living in another country with a Canadian spouse;
- working full-time for a Canadian company in another country;
- Humanitarian & Compassionate circumstances, such as injury outside Canada.
Either way, the Government of Canada does not mail PR cards to non-Canadian addresses. So, even if you apply for it outside Canada, you will still have to collect it in the country.
How to apply for PR card renewal
Canadian applicants for a PR card renewal can submit their forms and documents online or via mail. Both ways require the same set of documents and payment. The waiting time also remains the same.
Read on to learn about the required documents, processing times, and detailed step-by-step instructions for online and mail procedures.
PR card renewal application
The processing time of PR card renewals is 65 (sixty-five) days as of February 2023. This time can vary or change due to ongoing circumstances, an overload of applications, and others.
Every PR card renewal application costs CAD$50. This fee applies to adult and minor applications. Canadian permanent residents must pay it online—any other forms of payment will result in rejected applications.
To renew a PR card, individuals must prepare the IMM 5445 form. Additionally, there is a document checklist (IMM 5644) that also must be completed and attached to the application. Here’s the list of documents that every applicant must submit with their application form:
- a copy of identity proof (e.g., a valid passport);
- a copy of your current PR card;
- a copy of the receipt proving payment;
- 2 (two) identical photos that you can get easily at home thanks to this photo app (used by +1 million users worldwide).
Applicants may also need to provide supporting documents if:
- Their stay outside Canada has been longer or equal to 1095 days in the last 5 (five) years.
- They wish to change their name, sex, or gender identifier.
- Applicants wish to hand over their personal information to a designated individual.
Applicants can submit the mentioned documents in two ways: through the PR Portal or via mail. Read on to get detailed guidelines for both options.
Renew PR card online
Applicants who wish to submit their forms and documents online should do so with a dedicated website provided by the Canadian government. Let us go through a step-by-step guide on how to access the platform and the renewal application.
- Log into your account.
- Scroll to the bottom; you will see a headline saying, “Apply for, renew or replace my Permanent Resident Card or Permanent Resident Travel Document.” Click the button that says “Start Permanent Resident card / Permanent Resident Travel Document application.”
- Choose the option describing your current situation.
- Scroll down; you will see a list of application forms. Only the first two are mandatory: IMM 5444 and IMM 5644 forms.
- Start the IMM 5444 form. You will have to complete the information about your personal information and history, as well as the history and information about your permanent residence.
- Complete the document checklist (IMM 5644) and upload it to the platform.
- Upload the PR card photos and any supporting documents, if applicable.
- Pay the fees.
- Complete the consent and declaration.
- Sign and submit the application.
The digital PR card photo must also follow extra requirements apart from the regulations applying to the printed one. Here are the specifications:
- The picture must be in a digital format (JPEG or PNG).
- The photo’s file size must be above 4MB.
- The picture’s measurement must be between 715×1000 and 2000×2800 pixels.
The photo can originally be an electronic copy, or applicants can scan their printed image, paying attention to the good quality of the picture.
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Renew PR card by mail
Sending the documents through the post office is a more traditional way of renewing your PR card. The applicant must send photocopies of the original documents and place the photos in a small envelope.
There are two addresses applicants can choose from, depending on the way they want to send their documents and application form:
a) Regular mail:
Case Processing Centre — PR Card
P.O. Box 10020
SYDNEY, NS B1P 7C1
CANADA
b) Courier:
Case Processing Centre – PR Card
49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 5Z2
PR card renewal for minors
When applying for a PR card renewal for kids, parents must submit additional documents proving:
- their child’s identity;
- the relationship between them.
For applicants under 18 (eighteen), the government requires a photocopy of a birth certificate stating the child’s name, date and place of birth, and the parents’ names. In the case of legal guardians, they must provide proof of guardianship.
Minors must also provide their biometrics along with the PR card renewal application if:
- They were younger than 14 (fourteen) at the time of applying for permanent Canadian residence, and
- They are older than 14 (fourteen) when renewing their PR card.
After applying, individuals will receive the instructions for collecting biometric information as a letter. The letter contains service points where applicants can schedule their appointment. For biometrics, there is an additional CAD$85 to add to the CAD$50 application fee.
Photo for your PR card renewal
Every application for a PR card renewal must be supported by 2 (two) identical photos taken within 6 (six) months before the process. Whether printed or digital, they must follow strict requirements posed by the Government of Canada. Failing to meet these regulations will result in the application being returned.
PR card photos must measure 50 x 70 mm (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches long) and be clear, sharp, and of good quality. The person must maintain a neutral facial expression and take the picture against a plain white background. Also, 1 (one) of the photographs must contain the individual’s name, date of birth, and the date and place of taking the photo.
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FAQ
This section will answer the most important questions about renewing your permanent resident card.
Can I renew my PR card online?
Can you renew your card with an expired passport?
How long does it take to renew a PR card?
How much does it cost to renew a PR card?
What do I need to renew my PR card?
Summary
As of February 2023, it takes 65 (sixty-five) days to renew a PR card and it costs $50. Permanent residents of Canada must meet certain requirements to be eligible for the renewal process. Hopefully, this guide will come in handy.
And to prepare a perfect PR card photo—or a picture for any other document—try PhotoAiD®. 100% compliance or a 200% money-back guarantee!
Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.
