Getting your PR card after you apply

What happens after we process your application and what to do once you get your PR card.

On this page:

• How you’ll get your card
• After you get your PR card
• Didn’t get your card?
• When to use your card
• Start keeping track of your trips outside Canada

How you’ll get your card

If we approve your application, we’ll usually mail you your PR card. We send PR cards only to Canadian addresses.

If you live in a rural location where mail isn’t delivered directly to houses, we’ll mail your PR card to a post office (PO) box. We can’t mail it to a third party.

We may ask you to pick up your PR card at one of our offices. When you go to pick it up, bring

• your passport or other travel document
• the original versions of any documents you submitted copies of when you applied

If you don’t pick up your card within 180 days, we’ll destroy it, and you’ll have to

• apply for a new one
• pay the fee

After you get your PR card

When you get your card

• check the card for mistakes
  • If there’s a mistake on your card, you may be able to get your PR card reissued.
• destroy your old card if you had one

Didn’t get your card?

It can take up to 6 weeks beyond the normal processing time for you to get your PR card.

You can track the status of your application.

If you didn’t get your card in

• 6 weeks but less than 180 days
  • Complete a solemn declaration.
  • Make sure the Canadian home address you give on the solemn declaration is correct.
  • We’ll reissue the card.
• 180 days or more
  • Fill out an application for a new card.
  • Complete Section 6 – Details Concerning a Lost, Stolen, Damaged or Never Received PR Card.
    • Explain what happened and any efforts you made to contact us.
  • Pay the fees, upload your receipt, and submit your application.
  • If we find that we’ve made an error, we’ll
    • refund you the fees
    • issue a new card
  • If no error was made, we’ll issue a new card.

Apply on paper if you can’t apply online

If you can’t apply online and need accommodations, including for accessibility, you can apply on paper.

Find out how to apply on paper.

When to use your PR card

You should always have a valid PR card before leaving Canada. You need it to re-enter Canada.

Learn more about travelling outside Canada as a permanent resident.

If you leave Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document to return to Canada.

Start keeping track of your trips outside Canada

When renewing your PR card or applying for Canadian citizenship, you need to tell us when you left Canada during your PR status, and for how long, for up to 5 years.

We have a travel journal you can download for free to help you keep track of your trips.