Licensed & Regulated
Regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
Your permanent resident status doesn't expire — but your PR Card does. We assess your residency obligation, prepare a complete renewal application, and advise you on PRTD options if you're travelling urgently from abroad.
Canadian permanent residents receive a PR Card that is typically valid for 5 years. The card must be renewed before it expires if you wish to use it to re-enter Canada by commercial carrier (plane, bus, train, or boat). While your PR status itself does not expire, an expired PR Card means you cannot board a commercial flight to Canada without first obtaining a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from a Canadian visa office abroad.
To be eligible to renew your PR Card, you must meet the residency obligation: a minimum of 730 days physically present in Canada within the 5-year period immediately before the application. Days spent outside Canada working for a Canadian business, accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse, or on government assignment may count toward the 730 days in certain circumstances. Alfalah reviews your travel history, calculates your residency days, and helps you present the strongest possible case — whether you clearly meet the obligation or have exceptional circumstances to explain.
Permanent residents must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in every 5-year period. IRCC officers calculate this based on travel history declared in the application and may request additional documentation.
A renewed PR Card is valid for 5 years (or 1 year for applicants who do not clearly meet the residency obligation). You can apply to renew your card up to 9 months before it expires — apply early to avoid gaps in validity.
If your PR Card has expired and you are outside Canada, a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) allows you to return. A PRTD is issued by a Canadian visa office abroad and requires proof that you meet — or have H&C grounds to excuse — the residency obligation.
We review your passport stamps, entry and exit records, and travel history to calculate your exact days of physical presence in Canada — including any qualifying days abroad — and confirm whether you meet the 730-day requirement.
If you clearly meet the obligation, we proceed directly. If your count is borderline or insufficient, we advise on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) considerations and what evidence — family ties, employment records, health circumstances — best supports your case.
We complete all IRCC forms accurately, prepare a travel history schedule, and compile supporting documents — identity documents, travel records, employment letters, and any H&C evidence — into a complete, organized package.
We submit the renewal application to IRCC and monitor processing timelines, advising you on maintaining valid travel documentation and any steps to take if you need to travel internationally while the renewal is pending.
If you are outside Canada with an expired PR Card and need to return urgently, we prepare a PRTD application to the nearest Canadian visa office — including any required H&C submissions — so you can return to Canada without delay.
Licensed & Regulated
Regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)
Book a free 15-minute consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant — we review your situation, clarify your options, and give you a clear path forward.
If you do not meet residency obligations, additional assessment may be required. Do not delay - apply early to avoid travel disruptions.
Understanding why applications are refused helps you avoid the same pitfalls. Our consultants review every detail before submission to minimize your risk.
Permanent residents must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in the five years preceding the application — this is the primary refusal ground.
Travel records, employer letters, lease agreements, and tax returns must collectively prove every day counted toward the 730-day requirement.
Where 730 days have not been met, applicants must proactively raise and substantiate Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds — failing to do so results in automatic refusal.
Discrepancies between declared travel dates and the entry/exit data held by CBSA are identified during processing and can lead to inadmissibility findings.
Inconsistencies in personal information compared to IRCC records raise flags that can delay or refuse a renewal.
Where presence outside Canada is claimed under the Canadian employer overseas exception, the relationship between the foreign posting and the Canadian business must be rigorously proven.
⚠ A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant reviews every file before submission to identify and address potential refusal grounds. Book a free consultation to have your specific situation assessed.
Processing times vary depending on IRCC workload and application completeness. Submitting a complete, accurate application helps avoid additional delays.
If your PR card is expired or you are outside Canada without one, you will need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document to return to Canada.
Permanent residents must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within the last 5 years to maintain their PR status and qualify for renewal.
Failing to meet the 730-day residency requirement may result in a referral to an admissibility hearing. It is important to assess your residency compliance before applying.
PR card renewal must generally be done from within Canada. If you are outside Canada, you may need to obtain a Permanent Resident Travel Document to return first.
Disclaimer: Immigration requirements, processing times, fees, and eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice based on policies set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). All applications are assessed individually by IRCC. Professional immigration assistance does not guarantee the approval of any application. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Regulatory Notice: Alfalah Immigration Services is regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). In Canada, only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and licensed lawyers are authorized to provide paid immigration advice. You may verify any consultant's registration at college-ic.ca.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal immigration advice. For advice specific to your individual circumstances, please consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.
Alfalah Immigration Services is based in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and proudly assists clients across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Vaughan, Hamilton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and communities throughout all provinces of Canada.
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