If your Canada PR card expires while you are outside the country, you still keep your status. The problem is getting back into Canada. Airlines and other commercial carriers will not board you without a valid PR card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document. So the real choice is simple: renew your PR card once you are in Canada, or apply for a PRTD from outside Canada so you can return and then renew the card. This guide explains the difference, when to choose which route, how to apply, what documents to collect, and the common mistakes that cause delays or refusals. We have written this in the same practical style we use at Phantom Immigration Corp, where a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant advises clients on PR, work, study, sponsorship and business pathways.
Quick answer
- If you are in Canada and your PR card will expire within 9 months: renew your PR card online in the Permanent Residence Portal. A PR card is usually valid for 5 years.
- If you are outside Canada and your PR card is expired or not with you: you cannot renew the card from abroad and it cannot be mailed outside Canada. You need a Permanent Resident Travel Document to board a flight, train, bus, or boat back to Canada.
- If you can reach a US-Canada land border in a private vehicle: you may return to Canada with other proof of your PR status. Airlines and other commercial carriers will still require a PR card or PRTD.
PR card renewal vs PRTD at a glance
Purpose
- PR card renewal: replaces an expiring or expired card once you are inside Canada. It is proof of status and needed to board commercial transport back to Canada.
- PRTD: a single-entry travel document for permanent residents outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card. It lets the airline or other carrier board you for a one-time trip back to Canada.
Where you apply
- PR card renewal: inside Canada, through the Permanent Residence Portal. Cards are not mailed to third parties or outside Canada.
- PRTD: outside Canada, through the Permanent Residence Portal or the local visa office channel, depending on location.
Eligibility anchors
- For both, you must still be a permanent resident and generally meet the 730 days in 5 years residency obligation, counting some time abroad in limited situations.
Fees
- PR card renewal: CAD 50
- PRTD: CAD 50
Pay online and include the receipt in your application or upload it to the portal.
Validity
- PR card: usually 5 years. Sometimes 1 year.
- PRTD: normally single entry. Apply for a new PR card as soon as you are back in Canada.
Can you renew a PR card while you are abroad
Short answer: no. You must be in Canada to receive your card, and will not mail a PR card outside Canada or to a third party. If you are abroad without a valid card and intend to fly or use any commercial carrier, apply for a PRTD.
When to pick a PRTD instead of waiting
Choose a PRTD if any of the following is true:
- Your PR card has expired and you are abroad.
- Your PR card is lost, stolen, or damaged while abroad.
- You applied for a new card in Canada but left before you received it, and the old card is no longer valid or usable.
A PRTD is the safest route to board a commercial carrier back to Canada. If you can reach a US-Canada land border by private vehicle, you may be able to enter using other documents that prove your permanent residency status. Do not expect airlines, trains, ferries, or buses to board you without a valid PR card or PRTD.
The residency obligation and why it matters
Check whether you have been in Canada at least 730 days in the last 5 years. Some time abroad can count if you are accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse, employed full-time by certain Canadian businesses, or assigned abroad by the public service. If you clearly do not meet the 730-day rule, a PRTD can be refused and a formal decision about your status may follow.
If a visa office refuses your PRTD for not meeting the residency obligation, you can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. The deadline to file a residency obligation appeal is 60 days from the refusal.
Step by step: how to apply for a PRTD from abroad
Before you start
- Make sure you still have PR status and that you can show enough days to meet the residency obligation, or you have strong reasons that may justify an exception.
1. Gather documents
Typical items include:
- Passport and all pages with visas and entry or exit stamps for the last 5 years
- Proof of PR status such as your COPR, landing documents, or expired PR card
- Proof that you met the 730-day requirement or that your time abroad counts, for example marriage certificate and spouse’s Canadian passport if you accompanied a Canadian citizen, or employer letters if you worked for a qualifying Canadian business abroad
- Photos that meet specifications
- Completed application form in the portal and the IMM 5644 checklist
- Fee receipt for CAD 50.
2. Apply online
- Submit through the permanent residency portal for PRTD. Pay the fee online and upload your receipt. Some locations may still direct you to a visa application centre.
3. Watch for follow-ups
- A visa office may ask for more proof, request an interview, or take biometrics if needed. Processing time varies by country and season, so check your portal messages often.
4. Use the document once
- A PRTD is normally valid for a single entry. Travel back to Canada and apply for your new PR card right away.
Step by step: how to renew your PR card once you are in Canada
1. Confirm timing
- Recommends applying if your card will expire in the next 9 months, or if it already expired. A PR card is usually valid for 5 years.
2. Prepare your package
- Start the application in the Permanent Residence Portal and complete the digital version of IMM 5444
- Pay the CAD 50 fee online and upload the receipt in the portal
- Upload your photos and supporting ID as instructed.
3. Do not travel with an old card after a new one is issued
- Once you issue your new PR card, your old one stops being valid after 60 days. If you are outside Canada with the old card after a new one is issued, you may need a PRTD to come back. Plan travel carefully.
Can you avoid a PRTD by entering at a land border
Sometimes. If you can reach a US-Canada land border in a private vehicle that you own, borrow, or rent, CBSA may admit you as a permanent resident based on other documents that prove your status. Commercial carriers will still require a PR card or PRTD, so this option only helps if you can travel to the border without boarding a plane, bus, train, or boat.
This route is not practical for everyone, and it does not fix underlying residency issues. If you have been outside Canada too long, you should seek advice before attempting re-entry.
Common mistakes that cause delays or refusals
- Applying for a PR card while abroad
You can complete forms online, but will not mail the card outside Canada or to a third party. If you are outside Canada without a valid card, apply for a PRTD. - Ignoring the 730-day rule
If you clearly fail the residency obligation and cannot count time abroad under the allowed exceptions, a PRTD may be refused. - Incomplete travel history
Missing passport pages or gaps in entry or exit records invite delays. Some countries have special proof requirements. Check the country-specific notes in ’s PRTD guide. - Leaving Canada after applying for a new PR card
If your new card is issued while you are away, your old card becomes invalid 60 days later. You may need a PRTD to return. - Assuming a PRTD is multiple entry
It is normally single entry. You should renew your PR card immediately after you get back.
What if your PRTD is refused
You have the right to appeal a residency obligation decision to the Immigration Appeal Division. The IAD must receive your Notice of Appeal within 60 days of the refusal date. If you plan to appeal, gather proof of establishment in Canada and any humanitarian and compassionate factors, such as the best interests of a child or compelling family hardship.
Practical packing list for PRTD applicants
- Current and previous passports covering the last 5 years
- Photocopies of every page with stamps or visas
- Proof of time spent in Canada, for example pay stubs, tax documents, leases, school records, utility bills
- Proof that time abroad should count, for example marriage certificate and spouse’s Canadian passport, employer letters on Canadian company letterhead.
- Two photos that meet specifications
- Fee receipt for CAD 50
- Clear, dated travel timeline with entry and exit dates
Use the PRTD guide and checklist to make sure nothing is missed.
Sample decision tree
- In Canada, PR card expiring soon
Apply to renew in the portal, pay the fee, upload photos. Do not make travel plans until you have the new card in hand. - Outside Canada, card expired or not in hand, need to fly
Apply for a PRTD, pay the fee, include proof for the 730-day rule or qualifying exceptions. Once back in Canada, renew the PR card. - Outside Canada, can reach land border by private vehicle
Consider returning to Canada that way with proof of PR status, then renew your PR card. This is only for private vehicles.
How Phantom Immigration Corp can help
Phantom Immigration Corp supports clients with PRTD readiness checks, residency obligation audits, document preparation, and post-arrival PR card renewals. Clients value clear guidance, fast communication, and checklists that cut confusion. If you are unsure about your 730-day calculation or have had long absences for family or work, a quick consult can prevent costly mistakes.
FAQs
Does an expired PR card mean I lost my status
No. Your PR status does not expire with the card. You simply cannot use an expired card to travel on commercial transport.
Can my family apply together for a PRTD
Each family member needs a separate application and fee.
How long does a PRTD take
Processing varies by country and by case. Check instructions and your portal messages for updates.
When should I renew my PR card
If it will expire within 9 months, or if it has expired and you are in Canada.
Do I need a PRTD if I am a Canadian citizen
No. Citizens travel with a valid Canadian passport.
Final checklist before you travel back to Canada
- Confirm whether you are using a commercial carrier or a private vehicle
- If commercial carrier and no valid PR card, submit a PRTD application now
- Pay the correct fee and keep the receipt
- Upload complete passport histories and proof for the residency obligation
- If you may be short on days, prepare evidence for exceptions and consider professional advice
- After you arrive, submit your PR card renewal without delay.
