PR Card Renewal
Permanent Resident (PR) Card Renewal
A Permanent Resident (PR) Card is essential for proving your status as a permanent resident of Canada and is required when traveling back to Canada by air, sea, or land from another country. If your PR card is expired or expiring within the next nine months, you should apply for a renewal to ensure uninterrupted proof of your status.
Eligibility Requirements for PR Card Renewal
To be eligible to renew your Permanent Resident (PR) card, you must:
Be a Permanent Resident of Canada
You must currently hold valid permanent resident status.
Be Physically Present in Canada
You must be physically in Canada at the time of application and when you receive your PR card.
Meet the Residency Obligation
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) within the last 5 years.
Note: Time spent outside Canada may count if you were:
Accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner
A child accompanying a Canadian citizen parent
Employed full-time by a Canadian business or public service abroad
Not Be Under a Removal Order
You must not be subject to any immigration enforcement or removal order.
Have No Ongoing Immigration or Citizenship Investigation
You must not be under investigation for immigration or citizenship fraud or related violations.
PR Card Renewal with Humanitarian & Compassionate Grounds
If you do not meet the 730-day residency requirement, you may still be eligible for PR card renewal under Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) considerations.
You should apply for PR card renewal with H&C grounds if:
- You were unable to meet the residency obligation due to exceptional circumstances.
- You have strong family ties or compelling reasons that justify why you were outside Canada.
- You have integrated into Canadian society despite long absences.
- You can prove that losing your PR status would cause undue hardship.
H&C applications require detailed explanations and strong supporting evidence. At Northia Immigration, we help clients build strong H&C arguments, gather supporting documents, and present a convincing case to immigration officers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does an expired PR card mean I've lost PR status?
No, the expiration of your PR card does not mean your permanent resident status has been revoked. IRCC needs to formally determine you're no longer a PR due to not meeting the residency obligation.
Will I need to attend an interview?
In some cases, you may be asked to attend an interview at an IRCC office to verify your identity and residency details.
What if I need my PR card urgently?
If you need urgent processing for reasons like work, travel, or an emergency, you may request expedited processing. You’ll need to provide proof of urgency, such as travel bookings or a job offer.
What if I don’t meet the 730-day residency requirement for PR card renewal?
If you don’t meet the 730-day residency requirement, your renewal application may be refused. However, you may be able to apply on humanitarian and compassionate grounds if you have valid reasons for not meeting the requirement.
Will I lose my permanent resident status if my PR card expires?
No, your status as a permanent resident does not expire when your PR card does. However, a valid PR card is necessary for re-entry into Canada when traveling abroad.
What happens if my PR card expires while I’m outside Canada?
If your PR card expires while you're abroad, you'll
need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document if you're arriving by air or sea. You may be able to enter Canada at a land border with an expired PR card.
Can I renew my PR card if it has already expired?
Yes, you can renew an expired PR card as long as you still meet the residency obligation. However, an expired card may cause difficulties if you need to travel or prove your status within Canada.
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