The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card that replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document. As of December 31, 2003 , the PR card will be the proof of status document required by permanent residents seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).
As of December 31, 2003 , permanent residents returning to Canada without a valid PR card will not be permitted to board their carrier. They will have to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document to re-enter Canada at a cost of $50 for each one.
ImtoCan could charge US$400.00 U.S. per person to help you apply for a PR card.
Please find below some further information concerning the PR Card:
New Immigrants
Newly arriving permanent residents automatically receive a PR card as part of the immigration process.
If you did not provide your mailing address to CIC at the point of entry, please do so as soon as possible. You can provide this information on-line , or you can contact the PR Card Call Centre at 1-800-255-4541 . Please note that if we do not receive your address within 180 days of the date of your admission, you will need to re-apply for your PR card and pay the applicable fee.
Please notify CIC of any change in your mailing address as soon as possible. You may send us your change of address by mail, or use the on-line Change of Address service .
If you do not receive your PR card within 30 days after sending your address, please contact the PR Card Call Centre at 1-800-255-4541
Existing Permanent Residents
If you are a permanent resident and arrived in Canada before June 28, 2002 , you need to apply for a PR card. CIC processes applications according to a schedule based on your year of landing. See the chart below:
Year of Landing |
When to submit an application... |
|
2000 2002 |
Between January and April 2003 |
1996 to 1999 |
May 2003 |
1992 to 1995 |
June 2003 |
1988 to 1991 |
July 2003 |
1980 to 1987 |
August 2003 |
1973 to 1979 |
September 2003 |
Before 1973 |
Anytime |
NOTE: Permanent residents who have missed their submission date should submit an application as soon as possible.
There are approximately 1.5 million permanent residents in Canada who can apply for a PR card. CIC is committed to processing applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, because of the large number of applicants and the short processing period, we ask for your patience and understanding should your application be delayed.
On average, it takes up to 12 weeks to process applications from existing permanent residents.
Please remember that as of December 31, 2003 , permanent residents re-entering Canada on a commercial carrier must have a PR card. Permanent residents planning to travel internationally should apply for a PR card 12 weeks prior to their departure to ensure they receive their card in time.
For more infomation about PR Card > >
