The permanent resident card (PR card) is the official proof of your status as a
permanent resident of Canada.
If you are a new permanent resident, you will automatically receive your new card by mail, once you first arrive in Canada, as part of the
immigration process.
This wallet-sized plastic card is used by permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier
(airplane, boat, train or bus). If you leave the country, you are expected to have this card when returning to Canada. Check the expiry date of your
PR card before you plan a travel outside of Canada to ensure that it will not expire before you return. If you do not plan to leave the country,
you do not need the card.
Permanent residents may apply for a PR card if they:
are physically present in Canada, and
received permanent resident status before June 28, 2002;
became a permanent resident on or after June 28, 2002, but did not receive a PR card at that time; or
need to replace a expired, lost or stolen PR card.
Authorization to return to Canada
If you have a been the subject of a removal order from Canada you will probably need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC) if you want to return,
Whether you need one depends on the type of removal order that was issued.
Travel Documents
Permanent residents returning to Canada by airplane, boat, train or bus must show a valid PR Card or travel documents before boarding.
This application is for permanent residents outside of Canada who need proof of their status so they can return to Canada.
Use this travel document if you have lost your documents showing your permanent residence status.
Pre-removal risk assessments
Canada is committed to ensuring that people being removed from Canada are not sent to a country where they would be in danger or at risk of persecution.
If you are told to leave Canada, you will be given a notice that the removal order is being enforced. At that time, if you are eligible,
you will be given the opportunity to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). If you apply, an officer will review your application,
as well as documents and other evidence you provide in support of it. If you previously made a refugee claim, the officer will limit their
consideration to new evidence, or that which you were not able to present at your refugee hearing. You may be asked to attend an interview.
If you are eligible to apply for a PRRA, you will be given an application form and guide. You will have fifteen (15) days in which to apply.
When you receive your PRRA forms, your removal order is suspended for 15 days. This suspension will remain in effect until:
you notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that you do not intend to apply for a PRRA;
you miss the 15-day application deadline; or
you apply for a PRRA and your application is rejected (or you withdraw your application or leave Canada by choice).
Note: If the PRRA application forms are mailed to you, you will be given an additional seven (7) days in which to apply.
In support of your application, you will be able to submit written evidence to help explain the risk that you would face if removed from Canada.
In reviewing your case, the officer will consider:
risk of persecution as defined in the Geneva Convention;
risk of torture; and
risk of your life or the risk that you may be subjected to cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
Note: Remember, you are responsible for keeping your application up-to-date. If your circumstances change and this may affect your application.
It is your responsibility
to inform CIC of the change. This is so that decision-makers have all the information that you want considered for
your application.
Some people are not eligible for a PRRA. You are not eligible if you:
are a protected person (that is, you presently enjoy refugee protection in Canada);
were found to be a Convention refugee by another country and you can return there;
made a refugee claim and it was not eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) because you came to Canada
from a
safe third country;
made a refugee claim, which was rejected by the IRB (includes abandoned or withdrawn), and less than 12 months have passed since that time;
applied for a PRRA, which was rejected by CIC, and less than 12 months have passed since that time;
are subject to extradition (extradition is a formal request that Canada return you to another country because you are a suspended or
convicted criminal).
In the event of a sudden change in country conditions, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism may exempt certain
nationals from the bar on accessing a PRRA. Regulations have been developed to specify criteria which must be considered when
determining whether or not an exemption should be granted.
If the PRRA officer accepts your application, you may receive the status of "protected person." This means you can stay in Canada and
you can apply to become a
permanent resident.
If your application is rejected
If the PRRA officer rejects your application, you will receive a written notice. Your removal order comes into effect again and you may receive a
reasonable period of time to ensure your departure from Canada. If your application is rejected, you may apply to the Federal Court of
Canada for a review of the PRRA officer's decision.
Access to information and Privacy Act requests
Access to information Act
The Access to information Act gives individuals a right to access records under the control of a federal government institution
in accordance with the principles that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access
should be limited and specific and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.
You may make a request under the Access to Information Act for information under the control of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Privacy Act
The Privacy Act protects the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by a government institution and
provides individuals with a right to access and request correction to this information. In accordance with section 7 of the Privacy Act,
personal information can only be used in accordance with the purpose for which the information was collected or for a use consistent with that purpose.
Information protected by the Privacy Act can only be disclosed with the consent of the person to whom it relates or in accordance with
the exception terms of subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act.
You may make a request under the Privacy Act for your personal information held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.