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CanadaStatus in-countryLast checked October 30, 2026

PR card renewal and permanent resident travel document (PRTD), with the 730-day residency obligation

Official name: Permanent resident card; Permanent resident travel document (PRTD)

Permanent residents of Canada must be in Canada for at least 730 days in every five-year period (days need not be continuous; some time abroad counts). A PR card is proof of status for returning to Canada by commercial carrier; it is renewed from inside Canada and is mailed only to addresses in Canada. A permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card needs a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to board a plane, boat, train or bus to Canada. When applying for a PRTD, the officer checks the residency obligation. A card expiring does not end PR status.

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3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Life in Canada

Finance

3

Currency

Canadian Dollar

CAD

Canadian Dollar

Cost of living

90

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

14–33%

Income tax (national)

Federal top rate applies above CAD 258,482 (2026); provinces/territories add their own income tax (roughly 4% to 21% at the top), giving combined top rates of about 44% to 54%.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.7

#24 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Permanent residents of Canada whose PR card is expiring, expired, lost or stolen, especially those outside Canada who need to travel back.

Eligibility

  • Residency obligation: 730 days in 5 years

    You need to be in Canada at least 730 days in every five-year period, though the days need not be continuous.

    730 days

    Residency obligation

    • Days abroad count if accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse, common-law partner or parent
    • Days abroad count if working full-time for a Canadian business or federal or provincial public service
    • Days abroad count if accompanying a PR spouse, partner or parent working full-time in such a role
    • PR for under 5 years: show you can meet it within 5 years of becoming PR
    Official wording

    Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act s. 28, a permanent resident must be in Canada at least 730 days in every five-year period (not necessarily continuous). Days outside Canada also count when: accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse, common-law partner or parent; working full-time for a Canadian business or the federal or a provincial public service; or accompanying a permanent resident spouse, partner or parent who works full-time in such a role. Those with PR for under 5 years must show they can meet it within 5 years of becoming PR; those with 5 years or more are assessed on the 5 years immediately before the examination.

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  • Humanitarian considerations

    An officer may decide that humanitarian and compassionate considerations, including the best interests of a child affected, justify keeping PR status despite a breach of the residency obligation (IRPA s. 28(2)(c)).

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  • PR card renewal (inside Canada)PR card

    • Applicants must be in Canada;
    • IRCC does not mail PR cards outside Canada.
    • Not meeting the residency requirements can lead to loss of status.
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SourceWho can applycanada.caChecked Oct 30, 2026

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