Permanent Residence

A permanent resident (PR) is someone who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. PRs are usually citizens of other countries, while some may be stateless persons.

When refugees resettle in Canada from overseas, they become PRs through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.

If you make a refugee claim in Canada, you don’t become a PR immediately. To become one, the Immigration and Refugee Board must first approve your claim. Then, you must apply for and obtain PR status.

You’re not a PR if you’re only in Canada for a short time (for example, as a student or foreign worker).

The permanent resident (PR) card

Your PR card proves that you have PR status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada and return on a commercial vehicle (like an airplane, boat, train, or bus), you must show

  • your PR card and
  • your passport or refugee travel document

If you’re traveling outside Canada without a valid PR card with you, apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) before returning to Canada by commercial vehicle.

If your PR card was lost, stolen, or damaged, apply for a replacement PR card.

How to properly dispose of your expired PR card

Destroy your old PR card by cutting it in half before disposing of it so you protect your information and privacy.

What permanent residents can do

As a PR, you

  • get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including a social insurance number to work in Canada, and health care coverage (check your provincial website for more information)
  • can live, work, or study anywhere in Canada
  • can apply for Canadian citizenship
  • get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels

What permanent residents cannot do

You’re not allowed to

  • vote or run for political office or
  • hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance

Time lived in Canada

To keep your PR 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 outside Canada may count towards the 730 days you need.

  • Find out if your time outside Canada counts toward your 730 days.
  • Track your time in Canada with our travel journal.

Losing your permanent resident status

You won’t lose your PR status when your PR card expires.

You will only lose your PR status if

  • an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal
  • you voluntarily renounce your PR status
  • a removal order made against you comes into force
  • you become a Canadian citizen

Even if you don’t meet the residency obligation, you will stay a PR until an official decision is made on your status.

Learn how to avoid travel delays if you are not sure of your status.

Voluntarily giving up (renouncing) permanent resident status

We won’t change your PR status automatically and we’ll always inform you of the change.

In some cases, you may decide you don’t want to be a PR of Canada anymore. For example, you may want to renounce your PR status in the following situations:

  • You have not met your residency obligations by being outside of Canada for a long period.
  • You plan to visit Canada and want to avoid the processing delays from a formal assessment of your PR status when you arrive.