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No. Your PR status does not expire when your PR card expires. However, you will need to renew it if you plan to travel outside of Canada.
Your PR card is a travel document. It is similar to a passport – if a passport expires, it doesn’t mean that you are not a citizen of that country anymore, it simply means that you cannot travel by air.
Your PR Card is separate from your PR status, and if it expires, you can still stay in Canada, and you still have a valid PR status.
Without your PR card, you cannot return to Canada by any commercial transporter after travelling outside the country. This includes:
- Plane,
- Train,
- Boat,
- Or Bus.
You will need to show both your original PR card and your passport. If you are a Refugee, you must show your refugee travel document and your PR Card.
However, you may still return to Canada by private vehicle (i.e., a vehicle you own or borrow, or you can have a friend drive you in a vehicle they own). This can include:
- Car,
- Truck,
- Or motorcycle.
You will still be required to provide other documents to re-enter Canada.
What do I do if I travel outside Canada without a valid PR card?
It is highly recommended that you do not travel outside Canada if you have not renewed your PR Card.
If you are outside of Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) before being able to re-enter the country. You can find instructions on IRCC’s website for applying for a PRTD. This document is only valid for a single entry. The application must show that you meet the permanent resident requirements. It is important to note that obtaining a PRTD might take many months; this means you must wait while IRCC processes the application.
If you are travelling by a commercial vehicle and your PR card has expired, you may ask for an urgent renewal of your PR card. This is only applicable under certain circumstances, such as a job opportunity, serious illness, or a crisis and even then, IRCC may not process it urgently. You can also ask for an urgent PRTD, which is at the officer’s discretion.
Applying to Renew a PR Card
PR cards are usually valid for five years, while some are valid for only one year. You can find the expiry date printed on your card. It is recommended that you apply nine months before the expiry date.
You should be in Canada when renewing your PR card. You can find details on how to apply on IRCC’s website. You can check processing times or your application status if you have already applied. You must submit all required forms, including the IMM 5445 and others on the document checklist. You may need to fill out other forms depending on whether you are using a representative, are updating the gender identifier on your card, or reclaiming an Indigenous name. You will also need to pay a fee online to IRCC.
How could I lose my PR status?
As mentioned, you will not lose your PR status when your card expires. The only way to lose your PR status is if:
- An officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or an appeal for a PRTD after you were initially refused one,
- You voluntarily give up your PR status,
- A removal order made against you comes into force,
- Or you become a Canadian citizen
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Last updated: September 29, 2025 4006672
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