What is a PRTD?
A Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is a special travel visa for Canadian permanent residents who find themselves outside Canada without a valid Permanent Resident (PR) card. It serves as a one-time entry document, stamped into your passport, that allows you to travel back to Canada. You might need a PRTD if your PR card is lost, stolen, damaged, or expired while you are abroad, or if you are a newly landed PR who has not yet received a PR card but needs to return. A PRTD is normally valid for one single entry only; after using it to return, you should apply for a new PR card immediately, since the PRTD cannot be used for another trip or as ongoing proof of status inside Canada.
Who needs a PRTD?
Permanent residents who are outside Canada without a valid PR card need a PRTD. Typical scenarios include:
- Expired PR card: Your PR card expired while you were traveling abroad.
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Lost, stolen, or damaged PR card: Your PR card is lost or damaged while you’re outside Canada.
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Never received a PR card: You became a PR but left Canada before getting the card.
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Returning by commercial transport without a card: You plan to board a flight, train, bus or boat back to Canada and have no valid PR card.
If you have a valid PR card or are still inside Canada, you do not need a PRTD. Also, if you have voluntarily given up your PR status, you are no longer eligible to apply for a PRTD.
PR Card vs PRTD: What’s the difference?
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Permanent Resident (PR) Card: This is your official proof of PR status, presented as a plastic card. You need it to re-enter Canada by airplane, train, bus or boat. A PR card is valid for multiple entries (typically up to five years) and must be renewed when expired. It serves as both proof of status and travel document.
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Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD): A PRTD is a temporary visa sticker put in your passport only when you are outside Canada without a PR card. It allows one-time entry to Canada. Unlike the PR card, a PRTD cannot be used for multiple trips or as an ongoing ID; its sole purpose is to let you board a carrier and return to Canada once. After using a PRTD to enter Canada, you should immediately apply for a new PR card.
In summary, the PR card is your primary multi-entry travel document, whereas the PRTD is only an emergency single-entry visa.
What are Canada’s residency obligations?
To retain your permanent resident status, you must meet the residency obligation: be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) out of every 5-year period. These days can be non-consecutive. If you have been a PR for less than five years, you must show that you will meet the 730-day requirement by the end of that five-year span.
Failing to meet the obligation can jeopardize your PR status. When applying for a PRTD, you will be asked to prove you have met (or will meet) this requirement. Provide two pieces of evidence such as:
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Tax records (e.g. Canada Revenue Agency Notices of Assessment) covering each year.
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Pay stubs, employment letters, or school enrollment records showing you lived in Canada.
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Rental agreements, property deeds, or utility bills in your name.
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Canadian bank statements or government benefits statements.
Some days spent outside Canada may still count toward the obligation if you qualify for an exception:
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Employment abroad: Full-time work outside Canada for a Canadian company or the Canadian government.
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Accompanying a Canadian: Time outside Canada with a Canadian citizen spouse or parent (if you are their child).
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Accompanying a PR: Time with a permanent resident spouse or parent abroad (under certain conditions).
If claiming an exception, include supporting documents (employment letters, proof of the other person’s status, etc.). Without sufficient days in Canada or valid reasons for absence, your PRTD could be refused. In that case, you would need to demonstrate compelling humanitarian or compassionate reasons for your extended absence.
How to apply for a PRTD: Step-by-step process
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Check eligibility. Confirm you are a Canadian permanent resident, are outside Canada, have no valid PR card, and will return by plane, train, bus or boat.
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Gather required documents:
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Passport: Your valid passport (the one you will travel on) and any passports or travel documents from the last five years.
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Proof of residency: Two pieces of evidence showing you met the 730-day requirement (tax notices, bank statements, lease agreements, Canadian employment records, etc.).
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Reason for absence: Any documents explaining your time abroad (employment contract, medical records, letters, etc.).
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Family documents: If minors are travelling alone, include notarized consent letters or custody documents.
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Photos: (Paper application) Two passport-sized photos meeting official government specifications.
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Complete the application form. Fill out IMM 5444 (Application for a Permanent Resident Card or PRTD). Answer all questions fully. If applying online via the IRCC portal, type your name for a digital signature. If on paper, sign in ink.
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Use the checklist. Include the IMM 5644 document checklist to ensure you have all required items. Check off each item as you gather it.
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Pay the fee. The fee is $50 CAD per person. Pay online via the IRCC payment system and save the receipt. Include a copy of the receipt with your application (print or digital copy is fine). The fee is non-refundable once processing begins.
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Submit your application:
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Online (recommended): Use Canada’s Permanent Residence Portal. Upload the IMM 5444 form, checklist, documents, and the payment receipt. If there is an option, mark the request as urgent if needed.
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Paper application: Mail your application packet in a sealed envelope to the appropriate Canadian visa office or visa application center (VAC) for your current location. Include all forms, copies of documents, photos, and the payment receipt. Follow the VAC’s instructions on where to send it.
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Include translations. If any document is not in English or French, provide a certified translation and the translator’s sworn statement.
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Request urgent processing (if needed). If you must travel very soon (within about 5 days), clearly indicate “Urgent” on your application (check the urgent box online or write it on the paper envelope and forms). Attach your planned travel date, a letter explaining the emergency, and proof (e.g. medical note, death certificate, flight booking, police report for lost card, etc.).
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Wait for processing. Processing times vary by visa office. IRCC generally prioritizes PRTD applications, but it can still take weeks. Check IRCC’s website for updates. If IRCC needs more information, they will contact you (usually by email).
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Submit your passport. If your PRTD is approved, IRCC will notify you to send your passport to the visa office or VAC. They will affix the PRTD visa sticker (counterfoil) in your passport.
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Return to Canada and renew your PR card. After you receive your passport with the PRTD, you can use it to board your flight or cross the border. Once you arrive in Canada, apply for a new PR card right away to replace the one that was lost or expired.
Can I expedite my PRTD application?
Yes. IRCC allows urgent processing for genuine emergencies. If you are a PR abroad and must return within about 5 days, you can request expedited handling. In your application:
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Mark it urgent (online portal: select “Yes” for urgent; paper: write “Urgent” on the envelope and on the first page of forms).
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Provide proof: Include your travel date and explain why you must return immediately. Attach documentation like a flight itinerary, a medical certificate, a death notice, or a police report (if your PR card was stolen or lost).
IRCC will try to prioritize urgent requests, but note that even expedited applications may take some time. After approval, remember you still need to send your passport in for the PRTD counterfoil.
Common issues and tips
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Meet the residency requirement: This is crucial. Keep accurate records of your days in Canada. Provide concrete proof such as tax assessments, Canadian employment letters, rental leases, or utility bills. A clear travel log plus official documents is ideal.
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Explain your situation clearly: Write a concise cover letter showing how long you’ve been away and why. Detail any ties you maintained in Canada (job, family, property, etc.). Immigration officials should easily see that Canada is your home.
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Submit all required documents: Missing or unclear documents cause delays or refusal. Use the checklist to double-check. Label your documents if it helps (e.g. “Passport bio page,” “Bank statement,” etc.).
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Keep names consistent: The name on your application and passport must match. If you’ve changed your name, attach legal proof (marriage certificate, court order) so the officer can verify it’s you.
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Make copies and keep notes: Copy every form and document you submit. Keep a list of what you sent and when. If you mail materials, use a trackable service. This helps if you need to follow up.
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Plan ahead: If your PR card is expiring and you know you’ll travel, renew it before you leave Canada. If you’re already abroad and stuck without a card, apply for the PRTD as soon as possible to avoid last-minute scrambling.
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Understand limitations: A PRTD only gets you back into Canada once. It does not let you go on more trips until you have a valid PR card again. Plan your travel so you use the PRTD for return and then stay in Canada while you renew your card.
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Avoid incomplete applications: IRCC will often return incomplete applications rather than process them. If this happens, correct the missing items and resubmit without delay.
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Prepare for possible refusal: If your PRTD is refused, you will get a letter explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient proof of residency or missing documents. Review the refusal letter carefully. You may be able to reapply with additional evidence or seek advice on your status if needed.
Conclusion
A Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is essentially an emergency travel visa that helps stranded Canadian permanent residents return home when their PR card is unavailable. To use it effectively, understand the rules: meet Canada’s 730-day residency requirement, prepare your documents meticulously, and follow IRCC’s application instructions step by step. Use official channels like the Permanent Residence Portal to apply.
If you must travel urgently, request expedited processing and provide strong evidence. Once you receive the PRTD and use it to return, don’t forget to apply for a new PR card promptly to avoid similar problems in the future. With careful planning, thorough documentation, and a clear understanding of the process, you can handle the PRTD application smoothly and return to Canada without undue delay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Who needs a PRTD to enter Canada? A PRTD is needed only if you are a Canadian permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card. If you have a valid PR card or are still in Canada, you do not need a PRTD. The PRTD lets you re-enter Canada legally when your PR card is unavailable.
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How long does it take to get a PRTD? Processing times vary by visa office. IRCC generally treats PRTD applications with high priority, but it can still take several weeks. Make sure your application is complete to avoid delays. Check the IRCC website for current processing estimates by location.
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Can I expedite my PRTD application? Yes. If you have an emergency (e.g., a medical crisis or family death) and must travel within a few days, you can request urgent processing. Clearly mark your application as urgent and submit proof of your situation (travel plans, medical notes, etc.). IRCC will attempt to expedite your case, although expedited approval is not guaranteed.
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What documents do I need for a PRTD application? In addition to the completed IMM 5444 form and the fee receipt, include: your current passport (and any passports used in the last 5 years); proof of meeting residency obligations (e.g. tax assessments, bank or rental records, employment letters); and documents explaining your time outside Canada (job letters, medical records, proof of accompanying a Canadian, etc.). If applying on paper, include two passport photos. Provide certified translations for any non-English/French documents, and use the IMM 5644 checklist to ensure nothing is missing.
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What happens after a PRTD is approved? If your PRTD application is approved, IRCC will issue a PRTD visa sticker in your passport. You will be asked to send your passport to the visa office or VAC so they can affix it. Once you receive your passport with the PRTD, you can use it to travel back to Canada. After arriving in Canada, apply for a new PR card as soon as possible to restore your permanent resident documentation for future travel.
References:
- https://navratanfateh.com/
