Permanent residents must have a valid permanent resident card (PR card) or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat. Without one, you may not be able to board. Your PR card needs to be valid when you show it. If your card expires, you will have to apply for a new one. You are still a permanent resident if your card expires. To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the preceding five years, calculating from the date you are being examined. If you have not become a PR for five years, the length you have stayed in Canada and the time you can spend in Canada should be at least 730 days. These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time abroad may count towards the 730 days.
You should only apply for a PR card if:
- your card has expired or will expire in less than nine months
- your card is lost, stolen, or destroyed
- you did not receive your card within 180 days of immigrating to Canada
- you need to update information on your card
