Permanent Resident (PR) Card for Newcomers | Just For Canada (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take for PR card to process for newcomers? ›

How long does it take to get your PR card delivered in Canada? IRCC seeks to maintain a service standard of roughly one month (30 days) of processing time for new PR cards—though this can fluctuate depending on circ*mstances that may impact IRCC's ability to process cards within that time frame.

Permanent residents (PRs) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier.

In order to get a PR card processed urgently, new immigrants must submit supporting documents to prove that they require faster processing. Proof can be offered to IRCC by submitting the following documents alongside your request to have your PR card processed urgently.

Canadian immigration officers may ask you questions about the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay, where you will stay, and if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. They may also ask about your previous travel history and any documents related to your visit.

You can find out the date by checking your application status at cic.gc.ca or by calling IRCC and asking when it was issued.

Once we review and accept the photo you submit (note that this may take some time), we'll create your PR card within two weeks. We'll send it to the mailing address in Canada you gave us. You can check to see if we've accepted your photo through the portal.

Once you've received your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), you will need to land in Canada before the expiry date on your CoPR document. If you included dependent family members on your PR application, you must land before or at the same time as them.

Permanent Residency Obligations To Keep PR Status

You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within a 5-year period. This means that you can spend a total of up to 3 years outside of Canada during a 5-year period.

Most PR cards are valid for five years, but some are only valid for one year. The expiry date is printed on the card. When your PR card expires, you can't use it as a travel document. If your PR card will expire within six months, you should apply to renew your card.

Ontario. Ontario is the most popular Canadian province for immigrants and one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada in 2024. The province has a huge quota for helping newly arrived candidates immigrate through the PNP streams.

How long do you have to stay in Canada to get a PR card? ›

To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days don't need to be continuous. Some of your time abroad may count towards the 730 days.

Canada PR Processing Time

The eligibility criteria and processing time vary in each of the available programs. For private citizens, the average time is between 5 to 8 months. However, there are several deciding factors and the processing time may take up to 12 months.

Understanding the PR Interview Process

The PR interview is designed to verify the authenticity of the information provided in the PR application. It aims to delve deeper into an applicant's background, qualifications, intentions for settling in Canada, and ability to integrate into Canadian society.

The Canadian government has a number of requirements that applicants must meet, and the competition for PR spots is high. Obtaining permanent residency in Canada as a foreigner is a multi-step process that involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and successfully navigating through immigration programs.

Canada PR Processing Time

For private citizens, the average time is between 5 to 8 months. However, there are several deciding factors and the processing time may take up to 12 months.

You can't have a third party mail your PR card to you while you're outside Canada. We don't send PR cards to non-Canadian addresses. If your new PR card isn't ready before you leave, you can still travel but you need a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) to return to Canada by commercial vehicle.

If your application is complex, it may take us longer than normal processing times to process your application. Your application may be more complex if: the contact information on file (address, telephone, email) is outdated and we can't contact you or a family member.

Just call IRCC and see if they sent you a PR card. If they did so and you never received at the address, ask them to send the re-request form again. Your PR cards will take 3-4 months from the time of re-request to reach your address.