How long does PR card renewal take in Canada in 2026?

As of April 29, 2026, IRCC's official processing time for PR card renewal is approximately 28 days for complete online applications. Urgent processing is available in exceptional circumstances with a minimum of 3 weeks, but IRCC cannot guarantee it will arrive on time.

How much does it cost to renew a PR card in Canada?

The government fee for PR card renewal is $50 CAD, paid online when you submit your application through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal. There is no biometrics fee for PR card renewal.

What forms do I need to renew my PR card?

You need Form IMM 5444 (Application for a Permanent Resident Card) and Form IMM 5644 (Document Checklist). Both are submitted online through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal, not by mail.

Can I renew my PR card from outside Canada?

No. You must be physically present in Canada to apply for a PR card renewal. If your PR card has expired and you are outside Canada, you cannot board a flight back with just the expired card. You must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at a Canadian embassy or consulate, which triggers a residency compliance review.

Does an expired PR card mean I have lost my PR status?

No. Your PR card and your permanent resident status are two separate things. An expired PR card does not mean your status has expired. PR status continues indefinitely unless IRCC formally determines you have breached your residency obligation or you have voluntarily renounced your status.

PR Card Renewal Canada 2026: $50 Fee, 28-Day Processing, Step-by-Step

Quick Answer

PR card renewal costs $50 CAD and takes approximately 28 days as of April 2026 (down from 18–25 months during 2022–2024). You must be in Canada to apply. Submit online via the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal using forms IMM 5444 and IMM 5644.

Your PR card is the travel document that proves your status when entering Canada from abroad. It is not your status itself — but without a valid card, you cannot board a flight to Canada. Here is everything you need to know about renewing it in 2026.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Item	Detail
Government fee	$50 CAD
Processing time (online, complete application)	~28 days (as of April 29, 2026)
Urgent processing minimum	3 weeks (not guaranteed)
Card validity	5 years
Application method	Online — IRCC Permanent Residence Portal
Must be in Canada to apply	Yes
Biometrics required	No

Who Can Apply for PR Card Renewal

To renew your PR card, you must:

Hold valid permanent resident status in Canada
Be physically present in Canada when you submit your application
Have met the 730-day residency obligation — 730 days in Canada within the last 5 years
Not have received a removal order or voluntarily renounced your PR status

Card vs. Status — Critical Distinction

Your PR card and your permanent resident status are two separate things. An expired card does not mean your status has expired. PR status continues indefinitely. However, you cannot board a commercial flight to Canada with an expired PR card — airlines are required to verify your document before boarding.

Required Documents

Gather these before starting your online application. Incomplete applications are the leading cause of delays.

Current or expired PR card (both sides — include a scan or photo)
Valid passport (all pages showing travel history for the last 5 years)
Two passport photos — 50mm x 70mm, taken within the last 6 months, white background
5-year travel history — all trips outside Canada with departure and return dates, destinations, and reasons for travel
Proof of physical presence in Canada — any of:
- CRA Notice of Assessment (most authoritative)
- T4 slips or employment records
- Lease agreements, utility bills, or bank statements showing Canadian address

Photo Specifications

Photo rejections are one of the most common causes of application returns. Use a professional photographer familiar with IRCC photo requirements. Selfies and standard portrait photos are frequently rejected. The size is 50mm × 70mm — different from standard Canadian passport photos (50mm × 70mm is correct for PR card).

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1

Create or log in to your IRCC Secure Account

Go to ircc.canada.ca and sign in or create an account. PR card applications are submitted through the Permanent Residence Portal — not through a regular IRCC account. You may need to create a separate PR Portal account.

Step 2

Complete Form IMM 5444

This is the Application for a Permanent Resident Card. Fill in your personal details, address history, travel history for the last 5 years, and employment history. Accuracy matters — discrepancies between your form and CBSA travel records can cause delays.

Step 3

Complete Form IMM 5644 (Document Checklist)

This checklist confirms that you have gathered all required supporting documents. Complete it alongside IMM 5444 and upload all documents as specified.

Step 4

Pay the $50 fee

Pay online when prompted during the application. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Payment is accepted by credit card or debit card.

Step 5

Submit and wait

Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation number. Current processing time is approximately 28 days for complete applications. You can check your application status through your IRCC account. Your new card will be mailed to the Canadian address on your application.

If Your Card Expired While You Were Outside Canada

This is a situation that requires a different process entirely. You cannot apply for a PR card renewal from outside Canada. You also cannot board most commercial flights to Canada with only an expired PR card.

Your only option is to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at a Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate in your country of residence.

PRTD Process

1. Apply at a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad.
2. IRCC reviews whether you meet the 730-day residency obligation.
3. If compliant, a single-journey PRTD is issued — valid for one return trip to Canada.
4. Once back in Canada, apply for PR card renewal as normal.
5. If non-compliant, IRCC may determine you have lost PR status.

PRTD Processing Time

PRTD processing times vary by visa office and can take several weeks. Plan well ahead if you are outside Canada with an expiring card. Do not wait until your card has already expired.

Urgent PR Card Processing

IRCC offers urgent processing for PRs who have a medical emergency, a death or serious illness of an immediate family member in Canada, or employment that requires immediate travel. Even with urgent processing:

The minimum processing time is 3 weeks
IRCC cannot guarantee the card will arrive by any specific date
You must provide documentation proving the urgent circumstances

Urgency related to travel plans (vacation, convenience) does not qualify. If you need to travel before your new card arrives, consider whether your travel destination accepts the expired card as supporting documentation alongside a travel history, or consult an immigration consultant.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply to renew my PR card?

Apply at least 6 months before your card expires, especially if you plan to travel internationally. Even though processing is currently about 28 days, unexpected delays or document issues can extend timelines. Do not wait until the card has expired.

Can I travel within Canada with an expired PR card?

Yes. Within Canada, your expired PR card does not prevent you from travelling. The card is required only when entering Canada from abroad. Domestically, any government-issued ID is sufficient for flights within Canada.

My PR card application is still processing. Can I travel internationally?

Not with an expired card. If your current PR card expires while your renewal is processing, you cannot use the expired card to board international flights back to Canada. In this situation, contact IRCC about urgent processing, or consult a consultant about your options before departing Canada.

I just became a PR. Do I need to apply for my first PR card separately?

If you became a PR through an inland application (you were already in Canada), your first PR card is automatically sent to you — typically within 6–8 weeks of getting your PR confirmation letter. If you landed through an overseas application, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document that serves as temporary proof of status until your card arrives.

What if I never received my new PR card after applying?

If the processing time has passed and you have not received your card, check your application status online. Cards can be returned to IRCC if the address is incorrect or delivery fails. You may need to request a replacement, which may incur an additional fee.

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Sources: IRCC — Get a permanent resident card (canada.ca); IRCC Processing Times April 29, 2026 (immigrationnewscanada.ca); Mirzoyan Immigration — PR Card Renewal Step-by-Step Guide 2026 (mirzoyanimmigration.ca). Last verified May 2026.