Overview

The Permanent Resident Card (also known as the Maple Leaf Card or the PR Card) is a new, wallet-sized, plastic card. People who have completed the Canadian immigration process and have obtained Permanent Resident status, but are not Canadian Citizens can apply for the card. The card replaces the IMM 1000 as the status document needed by Canadian Permanent Residents re-entering Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train and bus) as of December 31, 2003.

Security features of the new PR Card will simplify the screening process of Permanent Residents when boarding a commercial carrier going to Canada. The card also increases Canada's border security and improves the integrity of Canada's immigration process.

Beginning on June 28, 2002, PR Cards will be mailed to new Permanent Residents of Canada as part of the landing process. People who are already in Canada as Permanent Residents can apply for the new PR Card beginning October 15, 2002.

New Immigrants

Beginning on June 28, 2002, all new Permanent Residents will automatically receive their PR Card in the mail following their arrival in Canada. At the point of entry in Canada, personal data will be confirmed as part of the landing process.

Existing Permanent Residents

PR Cards will be available to Permanent Residents upon application only. CIC will process applications according to a published schedule based on the applicant's year of landing.

There are approximately 1.5 million Permanent Residents in Canada who are eligible to apply for a new PR Card. We are committed to processing applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, because of the large number of applicants and the short processing period, we ask for your patience and understanding should there be delays with your application.

Applications for existing Permanent Residents will be available after September 15, 2002. You can obtain a PR Card Application kit (when available) from the CIC site, or by contacting the PR Card Call Centre at 1-800-255-4541 after this date.

We will begin processing applications for existing Permanent Residents only after October 15, 2002.

Canadian Citizens

Permanent Resident Cards are not issued to Canadian Citizens. Citizens need a Canadian Passport for international travel

New PR Card Fees

The PR Card costs $50.00 per applicant. Each person applying for Permanent Residence status in Canada will need a card (children included.) The Card is normally valid for five years. All Permanent Residents will need a valid PR Card for re-entry into Canada on a commercial carrier as of December 31, 2003. It will be the cardholder's responsibility to make sure their card will be valid at the time of their return to Canada. If a Permanent Resident with a PR Card has become a Canadian Citizen, the PR Card is automatically cancelled. This person would then need to obtain a Canadian passport for international travel purposes.

Apply for Canadian Citizenship

If you have been a Permanent Resident and have been living in Canada for three years or more, you are eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship. Find out more information on the Canadian Citizenship application process.

About the
Permanent Resident Card

Background

The Canadian government has understood the need for a Permanent Resident Card for quite some time. The events of September 11, 2001 raised the issue of border security and the safety of all Canadians to the forefront. This made the introduction of a PR Card a key government initiative.

Before June 28, 2002, a successful landing application process resulted in the issuing of an IMM 1000 form. This document showed the holder's Canadian entry history. It was a large, difficult-to-carry piece of paper with no photograph, few security features and little in the way of privacy for the Permanent Resident. Technological advancements have made it easy to change, copy or make fraudulent use of many documents, including the IMM 1000.

CIC was intent on finding a replacement for this form that would address convenience, safety, privacy and durability concerns. The new PR Card not only addresses these concerns, but also includes state-of-the-art security features, making it extremely resistant to forgery and alteration.

The new card is a wallet-sized, plastic card, which confirms the Permanent Resident status of the cardholder. It replaces the IMM 1000 Record of Landing Form for travel purposes.

Security Benefits

The new PR Card contains several security features that make it a safe proof of status document for the cardholder. As of December 31, 2003, the new card is a necessary document for every Permanent Resident re-entering Canada by commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train and bus) after international travel.

The card has a laser engraved photograph and signature, as well as a description of the physical characteristics (height, eye colour, gender) of the cardholder printed on the front.

The card's optical stripe will contain all the details from the cardholder's Confirmation of Permanent Resident form. This encrypted information will only be accessible to authorized official (such as immigration officers) as required to confirm the status of the cardholder. The card cannot be used to monitor the activities or track the movement of the cardholder; this will protect the cardholder's privacy.

The card's optical stripe is more advanced than a magnetic stripe (commonly used on bank cards) both in terms of information storage capacity and security of information. Much like a commercial compact disc (CD), it is impossible to change, erase or add to the information already encoded on the optical stripe.

Application Process

What is the process for applying for a card?

Beginning on June 28, 2002, cards will be mailed to new Permanent Residents following their arrival in Canada. Personal data, along with a photo, will be confirmed at the point of entry into Canada, and a card will be sent by mail about three weeks later.

For existing Permanent Residents, information on how to apply for the card will be available on this site after September 15, 2002. CIC will begin processing applications for the card after October 15, 2002. There will also be Government of Canada newspaper advertising in the fall of 2002 that will outline the application process.

 
Will there be forms to fill out to apply for the card?

An application and information kit will be available to Permanent Residents containing application forms. More information about how to get these kits will be available after September 15, 2002 on CIC Web site and through newspaper advertising.

 
When will the Permanent Resident Card be available?

Beginning on June 28, 2002, cards will be mailed to new Permanent Residents as part of the landing process. Personal data, along with a photo, will be confirmed at the point of entry to Canada, and a card will be mailed to the Permanent Resident.

CIC will begin processing applications for the card from existing Permanent Residents after October 15, 2002. Applications for the card will be available for Permanent Residents living in Canada shortly before this date. To allow for an orderly process in issuing cards, CIC will invite people to apply based on their year of landing in Canada.

 
Will the Permanent Resident Card be mandatory?

Following a transition period, the card will be required for all Permanent Residents to re-enter Canada following international travel as of December 31, 2003.

 
Will children of Permanent Residents need the new card too?

Yes. Every Permanent Resident travelling internationally will need the new card. Children of Permanent Residents who were born in Canada are Canadian Citizens and need a Canadian passport to travel.

Will refugee claimants be able to apply for the card?

No. The card is for those individuals who have been granted permanent residence in Canada.

Card Security

How will the Permanent Resident Card improve CIC's ability to combat illegal entry into Canada?

The card will give holders reliable documentation of their permanent residence status. The high-tech security features will make the card extremely resistant to tampering or duplication. The requirement for Permanent Residents to produce this card when boarding a commercial carrier going to Canada will simplify the job of transportation officials in screening people for proper documentation.

General

Why Is Citizenship and Immigration Canada introducing a new Permanent Resident Card?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is introducing the Permanent Resident Card to increase border security, improve the integrity of the immigration process, and provide holders with secure proof of their permanent residence status when re-entering Canada on any commercial carriers (plane, train, boat, and bus.)

The new card will help to make sure that Canada has the tools it needs to protect against the fraudulent use of its immigration documents.

 
Is there an alternative to the Permanent Resident Card?

No. As of December 31, 2003 all Permanent Residents returning from international travel on commercial carriers will need to show their Permanent Resident Card. In emergency situations, Permanent Residents may be issued a one-time-use travel document at a mission abroad.

 
How much will the new card cost for the applicant?

The Permanent Resident Card will cost $50.00 per applicant.

How does the Permanent Resident Card look like?