01
You Are a Permanent Resident
You must currently have permanent resident status in Canada.
STATUS & CITIZENSHIP
Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)
If you are a Canadian permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card, you may need a Permanent Resident Travel Document to return to Canada on a commercial carrier.
Check Your PRTD EligibilityPERMANENT RESIDENT TRAVEL DOCUMENT
Returning to Canada Without a Valid PR Card
A Permanent Resident Travel Document, commonly called a PRTD, is a travel document for Canadian permanent residents who are outside Canada and do not have a valid PR card.
It is generally used when a permanent resident needs to board a commercial carrier such as an airplane, bus, train or boat to return to Canada.
A PRTD does not grant permanent resident status. The applicant must already be a Canadian permanent resident.
It is also not a replacement for renewing a PR card. Once the permanent resident returns to Canada, they should generally apply for a new PR card if they do not have a valid one.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
A PRTD Does Not Give You Permanent Resident Status
A PRTD is available to people who already hold Canadian permanent resident status.
It is simply a travel document that can help an eligible permanent resident return to Canada when they do not have a valid PR card.
It is therefore completely different from applying for permanent residence through Express Entry, family sponsorship, a provincial nominee program or another immigration pathway.
PRTD = Travel Document
You must already be a permanent resident before you can qualify for a PRTD.
Review My PR StatusELIGIBILITY
Who Can Apply for a PRTD?
A PRTD is intended for permanent residents outside Canada who need documentary proof to return on a commercial carrier.
02
You Are Outside Canada
A PRTD application is made while you are physically outside Canada.
03
You Do Not Have a Valid PR Card
Your PR card may be expired, lost, stolen, damaged or otherwise unavailable.
04
You Need to Return Commercially
You intend to return to Canada by airplane, commercial bus, train or boat.
05
Residency Obligation
You must generally meet the permanent resident residency obligation, unless humanitarian and compassionate considerations are being relied upon in your circumstances.
COMMON SITUATIONS
When Might You Need a PRTD?
Permanent residents can unexpectedly find themselves outside Canada without valid PR card documentation.
01
PR Card Expired Abroad
You travelled outside Canada and your PR card expired before you were ready to return.
02
PR Card Lost or Stolen
Your valid PR card was lost or stolen while you were outside Canada.
03
PR Card Damaged
Your card became damaged and can no longer be used for commercial travel.
04
New PR Card Not Ready Before Travel
You applied for a new PR card in Canada but left before the card was issued or received.
COMMERCIAL TRAVEL
Why Do Permanent Residents Need a PRTD to Board?
When travelling to Canada on a commercial carrier, permanent residents generally need acceptable documentation showing that they are authorized to enter Canada as permanent residents.
A valid PR card normally serves this purpose.
If no valid PR card is available, a PRTD can provide the travel documentation needed to board an airplane, bus, boat or train to Canada.
Airline Will Not Accept an Expired PR Card
An expired PR card does not normally provide the documentation needed to board a commercial flight to Canada.
Review My Travel DocumentsPRIVATE VEHICLES
Returning to Canada by Private Vehicle Is Different
The commercial-carrier documentation requirement is different from entering Canada at a land border in a private vehicle.
A private vehicle may include a car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle that you own, borrow or rent.
A permanent resident travelling to Canada by land in a private vehicle does not have the same PR card or PRTD boarding requirement that applies to commercial carriers. They may use other documents to establish their identity and permanent resident status when examined at the Canadian border.
Commercial vs. Private Travel Matters
Whether you need a PRTD can depend on how you intend to travel back to Canada.
Review My Return OptionsRESIDENCY OBLIGATION
IRCC Will Review Whether You Have Maintained PR Status
A PRTD application is not simply a travel request. IRCC may assess whether the permanent resident meets Canada's residency obligation.
01
730 Qualifying Days
Permanent residents generally need at least 730 qualifying days during the applicable five-year period.
02
Days Do Not Need to Be Continuous
Qualifying days can be accumulated at different times and do not need to be consecutive.
03
Some Time Outside Canada May Count
Certain periods abroad may count toward the residency obligation where specific legal requirements are met.
04
Travel History Matters
The applicant must provide accurate information about absences from Canada during the relevant period.
NEWER PERMANENT RESIDENTS
Have You Been a Permanent Resident for Less Than Five Years?
The residency assessment differs depending on how long the person has held permanent resident status.
If you have been a permanent resident for less than five years, IRCC generally considers whether you will still be able to accumulate at least 730 qualifying days by the fifth anniversary of becoming a permanent resident.
This is different from simply counting 730 days during the period immediately before the PRTD application.
The Correct Five-Year Period Matters
Residency calculations should be completed carefully before the application is submitted.
Calculate My Residency DaysQUALIFYING TIME ABROAD
Can Time Outside Canada Count Toward 730 Days?
In specific circumstances, time spent outside Canada can count toward the permanent resident residency obligation.
01
Accompanying a Canadian Citizen
Certain time abroad may count when accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner or, in some situations, a Canadian citizen parent.
02
Employment Outside Canada
Certain full-time employment abroad for a qualifying Canadian business or Canadian public administration may count.
03
Accompanying a PR Working Abroad
Certain periods may count when accompanying a permanent resident spouse, partner or parent who qualifies through eligible Canadian employment abroad.
RESIDENCY CONCERNS
What If You Do Not Meet the 730-Day Requirement?
A PRTD application can have significant consequences when the applicant does not meet the permanent resident residency obligation.
Before assuming that the requirement has not been met, the residency period, physical presence and any qualifying time outside Canada should be reviewed carefully.
If a residency shortfall remains, humanitarian and compassionate considerations may be relevant depending on the person's circumstances.
A negative residency determination may affect the person's permanent resident status.
Do Not Treat This as a Routine Travel Application
If you have spent substantial time outside Canada, review your residency obligation before submitting a PRTD application.
Review My Residency SituationHUMANITARIAN & COMPASSIONATE CONSIDERATIONS
Exceptional Circumstances May Be Relevant
Where a permanent resident does not meet the residency obligation, IRCC may consider humanitarian and compassionate circumstances in determining whether permanent resident status should nevertheless be retained.
Relevant circumstances depend on the individual case and may involve family, medical, child-related or other compelling factors.
These applications should clearly explain what prevented compliance with the residency obligation and provide supporting evidence for the circumstances relied upon.
H&C Is Case-Specific
Humanitarian considerations are not an automatic exemption from the residency obligation. The complete circumstances and supporting evidence must be assessed.
Review My H&C FactorsPRTD VALIDITY
A PRTD May Be Issued for Single or Multiple Entry
A Permanent Resident Travel Document is commonly issued for a single entry to allow a permanent resident to return to Canada.
In appropriate circumstances, IRCC may issue a multiple-entry PRTD. An applicant requesting one should generally meet the residency obligation and explain why repeated travel is required.
Multiple Entry May Be Possible
Applicants requesting a multiple-entry PRTD can explain their circumstances and request consideration, but approval is discretionary.
Review My Travel NeedsAFTER RETURNING TO CANADA
Apply for a New PR Card After You Return
A PRTD is not intended to replace a PR card on an ongoing basis.
After returning to Canada, a permanent resident without a valid PR card should generally apply to renew or replace the card.
PR cards are issued to permanent residents in Canada and are not mailed outside Canada.
Need a New PR Card?
Once you return to Canada, we can also assist with a PR card renewal or replacement.
Get PR Card AssistanceAPPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Common Documents for a PRTD Application
The application must establish identity, permanent resident status and compliance with the residency obligation or other applicable circumstances.
01
Passport or Travel Document
Provide the required passport or travel-document information and copies.
02
Proof of PR Status
Previous PR cards, Confirmation of Permanent Residence documents or other records may help confirm existing permanent resident status.
03
Travel History
Applicants should provide accurate information about absences from Canada during the relevant period.
04
Residency Evidence
Employment, tax, banking, housing or other records may help demonstrate physical presence in Canada.
05
Evidence for Time Abroad
Additional documentation may be needed if you are relying on qualifying periods outside Canada toward the residency obligation.
06
H&C Evidence
If humanitarian and compassionate circumstances are being relied upon, supporting documentation should clearly address those circumstances.
APPLICANTS FROM CHINA
Additional Travel Records Are Required for Chinese Passport Holders
IRCC currently requires applicants applying from China with a Chinese passport to include an Inquiry of Exit & Entry Record.
The record must generally show entries to and exits from China covering the five years before the PRTD application.
The document must also be translated into English or French where required.
Applying From China?
Make sure country-specific document requirements are reviewed before submission.
Review My China PRTD ApplicationGOVERNMENT FEE
The Current PRTD Application Fee Is $50
IRCC currently charges a government processing fee of $50 for a Permanent Resident Travel Document application.
The payment receipt should be included with the application as required.
Once IRCC begins processing the application, the fee is generally non-refundable.
HOW TO APPLY
PRTD Applications Can Be Submitted Online
PRTD applications can currently be submitted online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
Depending on where the applicant is located, a paper application may also be available through a visa application centre that accepts PRTD applications by mail or in person.
Applicants should follow the current country-specific submission instructions and ensure all required supporting documents are included.
Application Method Can Depend on Location
Before submitting, confirm whether the online or applicable VAC process should be used in your country.
Prepare My ApplicationAPPLICATION PROCESS
How a PRTD Application Works
A successful application should address both the applicant's existing permanent resident status and the applicable residency requirements.
1
Confirm PRTD Eligibility
Confirm that you are a permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card and need to return on a commercial carrier.
2
Review Residency Obligation
Calculate qualifying days and review any time outside Canada that may count.
3
Prepare Travel History
Reconstruct entries, exits and periods outside Canada using available records.
4
Gather Supporting Evidence
Prepare identity, PR status, residency and any relevant H&C documentation.
5
Submit the PRTD Application
Submit through the applicable online or visa-application-centre process and pay the required government fee.
6
Return to Canada
If the PRTD is issued, use it with your passport or travel document to return to Canada.
COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Important Things to Know About PRTDs
PRTDs are often confused with PR cards and permanent residence applications.
!
A PRTD Gives Me PR Status
No. You must already hold permanent resident status to qualify.
!
A PRTD Is a PR Card
No. It is a travel document used primarily to return to Canada when a valid PR card is unavailable.
!
My PR Card Expired, So I Lost PR
An expired PR card does not by itself terminate permanent resident status.
!
I Can Apply From Inside Canada
No. A PRTD is for permanent residents who are outside Canada.
!
Every PRTD Is Multiple Entry
No. A PRTD is normally issued for a single entry, although multiple-entry issuance may be considered in certain cases.
!
Residency Does Not Matter
IRCC can assess compliance with the permanent resident residency obligation when deciding a PRTD application.
HOW WE CAN HELP
PRTD Applications Can Involve More Than Travel Documentation
Straightforward cases may involve a simple travel-document application. Cases involving significant time outside Canada or residency shortfalls require more careful analysis.
01
Eligibility Review
We confirm whether a PRTD is the appropriate document for your return to Canada.
02
Residency Calculation
We review physical presence and qualifying periods outside Canada.
03
Travel History Review
We help organize and reconcile the applicant's travel records before submission.
04
H&C Assessment
Where residency requirements may not be met, we review whether humanitarian and compassionate considerations may be relevant.
05
Application Preparation
We assist with preparing the PRTD application and supporting documents.
06
PR Card Planning
After you return to Canada, we can also assist with renewing or replacing your PR card where needed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
A PRTD Application Can Lead to a Review of Your PR Residency Obligation
Although the purpose of a PRTD is to provide travel documentation, the application may require IRCC to determine whether the applicant continues to satisfy the permanent resident residency obligation.
Permanent residents with extensive absences from Canada should therefore understand their residency position before submitting the application.
Where residency compliance is uncertain, the legal consequences of a negative determination should be considered as part of the overall strategy.
Outside Canada Without a Valid PR Card?
Tell us when you became a permanent resident, where you are currently located and your travel history. We can review whether a PRTD is the appropriate next step.
Review My PRTD CaseRETURN TO CANADA
Outside Canada Without a Valid PR Card?
If you are a Canadian permanent resident abroad and cannot use your PR card to return, our team can help you review your residency history and prepare the appropriate Permanent Resident Travel Document application.
Get PRTD Assistance