How to replace a lost or stolen Canadian permanent resident card inside or outside Canada
Learn how to replace a lost or stolen Canadian permanent resident card in 2026, including the $50 fee, required documents, online PR Portal application, residency obligation, urgent processing and what to do if your PR card is lost while you are outside Canada.
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If your Canadian permanent resident card is lost or stolen while you are in Canada, apply for a replacement through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal using the digital PR card application, IMM 5444. The replacement PR card fee is CAD $50. You must still have permanent resident status, be physically in Canada and meet the applicable residency obligation. If you have a police report or incident number for the loss or theft, include it with the application. If you are outside Canada, you cannot apply for a PR card from abroad. If you need to return by airplane, bus, boat or train, apply for a permanent resident travel document, or PRTD, which also costs CAD $50. After returning to Canada, apply for the replacement PR card.
What you need
- You must still have Canadian permanent resident status.
- You must be physically present in Canada to apply for a replacement PR card because IRCC does not mail PR cards outside Canada.
- You must not have lost permanent resident status, including through a final loss-of-status determination, becoming a Canadian citizen or other circumstances that end PR status.
- Complete the digital Application for a Permanent Resident Card, IMM 5444, in the Permanent Residence Portal.
- Complete and upload the Document Checklist, IMM 5644.
- Provide a copy of an accepted primary identity document, such as a valid passport or travel document, the passport or travel document used when you became a permanent resident, or an accepted certificate of identity or travel document.
- Provide a photograph that meets IRCC permanent resident card photo specifications.
- Provide evidence showing that you meet the permanent resident residency obligation.
- Provide 2 pieces of supporting evidence of residence in Canada for the relevant period when required by the application guide.
- Upload the receipt showing payment of the CAD $50 PR card fee.
- If you have a police report or incident number relating to the lost or stolen PR card, include it with your application.
- Provide additional forms or supporting documents if required for your circumstances, such as representative or name-change documents.
Eligibility
You can apply to replace a lost or stolen Canadian permanent resident card if you still have permanent resident status, you are physically present in Canada and you have not lost your PR status. A PR card itself does not create or remove permanent resident status; it is official proof of that status and is normally required for a permanent resident returning to Canada on a commercial carrier.
You must also meet the permanent resident residency obligation. If you have been a permanent resident for 5 years or more, you generally must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days during the previous 5 years, subject to the qualifying exceptions provided by Canadian immigration law. If you have been a permanent resident for less than 5 years, you must be able to demonstrate that you will be able to meet the 730-day requirement within the first 5 years after becoming a permanent resident.
If you are outside Canada, you are not eligible to apply for the replacement PR card from abroad. If you need to return to Canada by a commercial carrier and do not have a valid PR card, you generally need a permanent resident travel document.
How to do it
- Confirm whether you are inside or outside Canada. If you are in Canada, you can apply for a replacement PR card. If you are outside Canada, you cannot apply for the replacement card until you return.
- Report the loss or theft if appropriate. If you have a police report or incident number for the lost or stolen PR card, keep it because IRCC asks you to include it with the replacement application if available.
- Sign in to the Permanent Residence Portal. Start a new PR card application and complete the digital Application for a Permanent Resident Card, IMM 5444.
- Explain what happened to the card. Complete the section concerning a lost, stolen, destroyed or never-received PR card and provide accurate details about the loss or theft.
- Complete the document checklist. Complete IMM 5644 and upload it to the portal with the required supporting documents.
- Upload identity and residency documents. Provide the required copy of an accepted primary identity document and evidence showing that you meet the permanent resident residency obligation.
- Upload a compliant PR card photo. The photograph must meet IRCC's current permanent resident photo specifications and the portal's upload requirements.
- Pay the fee. Pay the CAD $50 permanent resident card fee using IRCC's online payment service and upload the receipt to the Permanent Residence Portal.
- Review and submit the application. Answer all questions, electronically sign the application and required forms, upload all supporting documents and submit the application through the portal.
- Track your application. Use IRCC's application-status tools to follow processing and respond promptly if additional information or documents are requested.
- If you are outside Canada, apply for a PRTD instead. A permanent resident without a valid PR card who plans to return by airplane, bus, boat or train should apply for a permanent resident travel document. After returning to Canada, submit the PR card replacement application.
How to replace a lost or stolen Canadian permanent resident card
If your permanent resident card is lost or stolen while you are in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires you to apply for a new card if you want a replacement. The application is completed through the Permanent Residence Portal using the digital version of IMM 5444.
The replacement fee is CAD $50. You must still be a permanent resident, be physically present in Canada and satisfy the applicable residency requirements.
Does losing a PR card mean you lose permanent resident status?
No. A lost, stolen or expired PR card does not by itself mean that you have lost permanent resident status. The card is evidence of your status. However, you must still meet the legal requirements for permanent residence when IRCC assesses your replacement application.
IRCC requires a PR card applicant to have permanent resident status, be in Canada and not have lost that status through circumstances such as a final status decision, a removal process that has ended PR status or becoming a Canadian citizen.
Can you replace a PR card online?
Yes. If you are in Canada, the standard replacement application is completed online through IRCC's Permanent Residence Portal. In the portal, you complete the digital Application for a Permanent Resident Card, IMM 5444.
IRCC states that PR card application fees are not paid directly inside the Permanent Residence Portal. You pay the fee using IRCC's online payment service and then upload the receipt to the portal.
How much does it cost to replace a lost PR card?
The federal fee for a replacement permanent resident card is CAD $50.
If you are outside Canada and need a permanent resident travel document to return, the PRTD processing fee is also CAD $50 per person.
What documents are required for a replacement PR card?
IRCC requires applicants to use the Document Checklist, IMM 5644, to confirm which documents are needed for their circumstances.
The standard application requirements include the fee receipt, a compliant permanent resident photograph, proof that you meet the residency obligation and a copy of an acceptable primary identity document.
Primary identity document
IRCC's PR card application guide lists accepted primary identity evidence including a valid passport or travel document, the passport or travel document used when you became a permanent resident, or a certificate of identity or travel document issued by Canada or another country.
The copy should show relevant identifying information such as the document type and number, issue and expiry dates, your name, photograph and date of birth.
Permanent resident card photo
You must provide a photograph that meets IRCC's permanent resident card specifications. For an online application, IRCC requires a photo taken within 12 months before the application date and appropriate images or information for the front and back of the photograph according to the portal instructions.
The photographer information must include the date the photograph was taken and the name and complete address of the photo studio. Follow the current IRCC digital photo instructions carefully because a photo that does not meet the specifications can delay or prevent completion of the application.
Do you need a police report for a lost or stolen PR card?
IRCC's current replacement instructions state that if you lost your PR card, you should include a copy of a police report or an incident number with the application if you have one.
This means a police report is useful supporting evidence when one exists, but IRCC's published replacement instructions do not make obtaining a police report an absolute condition for every replacement application.
What is the PR residency obligation for a replacement card?
Applying for a replacement PR card does not exempt you from Canada's permanent resident residency obligation.
If you have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years, the general rule is that you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within the previous 5 years, subject to qualifying periods outside Canada that Canadian immigration law allows to count.
If you have held permanent resident status for less than 5 years, you must demonstrate that you will still be able to accumulate at least 730 qualifying days within the first 5 years after the date you became a permanent resident.
Evidence of residency
IRCC's application guide requires proof showing that you meet the residency obligation. The guide also requires copies of 2 pieces of evidence that can demonstrate residence in Canada during the applicable period, or since becoming a permanent resident if that period is less than 5 years.
The exact evidence needed depends on your travel and residence history. Additional documentation can be required if you rely on qualifying periods outside Canada to meet the residency obligation.
How do you complete the lost or stolen card application?
Start the application in the Permanent Residence Portal and select the option for replacing a PR card that was lost, stolen, destroyed or never received.
Complete the digital IMM 5444 accurately, including the section concerning the missing card. Upload IMM 5644, your supporting documents, compliant photograph and payment receipt. If you have a police report or incident number, include it.
Before submitting, IRCC instructs applicants to answer all questions, electronically sign the application and applicable forms, include the processing-fee receipt and upload all supporting documents.
How long does a replacement PR card take?
There is no fixed processing period guaranteed for a replacement PR card. IRCC's published processing estimate changes based on application type, the number of applications being processed, how easily IRCC can verify information, whether the application is complete and how quickly the applicant responds to requests.
For the most accurate estimate, check the current PR card processing time on IRCC's official processing-times page immediately before or after applying.
Can you get an urgent replacement PR card?
Urgent processing may be available in qualifying circumstances. IRCC lists eligible reasons that can include a job opportunity, work related to your current job, your own serious illness, serious illness or death of a family member, loss or theft of the PR card while temporarily outside Canada, or certain crisis or vulnerable situations.
IRCC states that the minimum processing time for an urgent PR card is 3 weeks. Even when an application qualifies for urgent processing, IRCC does not guarantee that the card will arrive before your travel date.
If your travel is too soon for a PR card to be processed, you may need to leave Canada and apply for a PRTD from outside Canada before returning by commercial carrier.
What if you only want to report the lost card?
If you are in Canada and do not want a replacement PR card, IRCC allows you to report the lost or stolen card by submitting a solemn declaration instead of applying for a new card.
If you need a new physical card, submit the replacement PR card application rather than only reporting the loss.
What if your PR card is lost or stolen outside Canada?
You cannot apply for a replacement PR card while you are outside Canada because IRCC only issues PR cards to applicants in Canada and does not mail PR cards outside the country.
If you are outside Canada without a valid PR card and plan to return by airplane, bus, boat or train, you generally need a permanent resident travel document.
Who can apply for a permanent resident travel document?
You can apply for a PRTD if you have Canadian permanent resident status, you are outside Canada, you do not have a valid PR card showing your status and you plan to return to Canada on a commercial carrier such as an airplane, bus, boat or train.
You must prove your identity, confirm your permanent resident status and satisfy the applicable residency obligation.
How to apply for a PRTD
A PRTD application can be submitted online through the Permanent Residence Portal. The PRTD fee is CAD $50.
IRCC's PRTD process requires supporting identity and immigration documents and the applicable document checklist. If the application is approved, IRCC sends instructions explaining how and where to submit your valid passport or travel document so the PRTD can be placed in it.
How long does a PRTD take?
IRCC lists PRTD processing time as variable rather than publishing one guaranteed number of days. IRCC states that PRTD applications are processed on a priority basis.
Applicants should submit the application as soon as they know they need the document and should not assume that approval will be completed before a particular flight or other departure.
Urgent PRTD after losing a PR card abroad
If your PR card was lost or stolen while you were temporarily outside Canada and you are travelling back to Canada within the next 5 days, IRCC provides an urgent PRTD process for qualifying circumstances.
You should include proof of travel showing your destination and dates, a receipt showing the travel purchase details, a letter explaining the urgency and supporting evidence of the urgent reason when applicable.
IRCC does not guarantee that an urgent PRTD will be issued before your scheduled travel.
Can you return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD in a private vehicle?
Different rules apply when travelling in a private vehicle. IRCC states that a permanent resident returning in a private vehicle, such as a car, truck, motorcycle or recreational vehicle that they own, borrow or rent, may use other documents to establish permanent resident status at the Canadian border.
A Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Record of Landing is not a substitute travel document for boarding a commercial carrier. If you intend to fly, take a commercial bus, train or boat to Canada, you normally need a valid PR card or PRTD.
What happens after the replacement application is approved?
Most permanent residents in Canada who renew or replace a PR card receive the new card by mail at their Canadian address. IRCC may instead require you to pick up the card at a local IRCC office.
If IRCC requires an in-person pickup, it will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you do not pick up the card within 180 days, IRCC states that it will destroy the card and you will have to apply again.
What if the replacement PR card does not arrive?
IRCC states that delivery can take up to 6 weeks beyond the normal processing time. If the card has not arrived after the applicable waiting period, follow IRCC's instructions for reporting a card that was never received.
If it has been 6 weeks beyond the normal processing period but less than 180 days, IRCC may allow you to submit a solemn declaration so the card can be reissued. If 180 days or more have passed, IRCC instructs applicants to submit a new PR card application, explain what happened and pay the applicable fee.
What to do after returning to Canada with a PRTD
A PRTD is intended to help a permanent resident without a valid PR card return to Canada. A standard PRTD is normally issued for a single entry, although multiple-entry PRTDs may be considered in qualifying circumstances.
After returning to Canada, apply for a replacement permanent resident card through the Permanent Residence Portal if your original card remains lost or stolen.
Frequently asked questions
How do I replace a lost Canadian permanent resident card?
If you are in Canada, apply through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal using the digital IMM 5444 PR card application. Complete the document checklist, provide the required identity, residency and photo evidence, pay the CAD $50 fee and submit the application online.
How much does it cost to replace a lost or stolen PR card in Canada?
The federal replacement PR card fee is CAD $50.
Can I replace a lost PR card online?
Yes. If you are physically in Canada, you can apply through IRCC's Permanent Residence Portal.
Do I lose permanent resident status if I lose my PR card?
No. Losing the physical PR card does not by itself end your permanent resident status. You must still satisfy the applicable PR status and residency requirements when applying for a replacement.
Do I need a police report to replace a lost PR card?
IRCC states that if you have a police report or incident number for the lost card, you should include it with your application. The published replacement instructions do not state that every applicant must obtain one.
What documents do I need to replace a PR card?
Typical requirements include IMM 5444 completed in the Permanent Residence Portal, the IMM 5644 document checklist, an accepted primary identity document, a compliant PR card photograph, evidence of meeting the residency obligation and the CAD $50 fee receipt. Additional documents can be required depending on your circumstances.
What is the residency requirement for a replacement PR card?
If you have been a permanent resident for 5 years or more, you generally need at least 730 qualifying days within the previous 5 years. If you have been a permanent resident for less than 5 years, you must be able to demonstrate that you can still meet the 730-day requirement within your first 5 years as a permanent resident.
How long does it take to replace a PR card?
IRCC's processing times vary and there is no fixed guaranteed replacement period. Check the current PR card estimate using IRCC's official processing-times tool.
Can I get an urgent replacement PR card?
Urgent processing is available in qualifying situations, but IRCC states that the minimum urgent PR card processing time is 3 weeks and approval or delivery by a particular travel date is not guaranteed.
Can I apply for a replacement PR card while outside Canada?
No. IRCC does not issue or mail PR cards outside Canada. If you are abroad without a valid PR card, you may need a permanent resident travel document to return.
What do I do if my PR card is stolen while I am outside Canada?
If you need to return by airplane, bus, boat or train, apply for a permanent resident travel document. After returning to Canada, apply for a replacement PR card through the Permanent Residence Portal.
How much does a permanent resident travel document cost?
The PRTD processing fee is CAD $50 per person.
Can I apply for a PRTD online?
Yes. IRCC allows eligible permanent residents outside Canada to apply for a PRTD online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
How long does a PRTD take?
IRCC lists PRTD processing time as variable and states that PRTD applications are processed on a priority basis.
Can I return to Canada without a PR card or PRTD?
If you travel by commercial carrier such as an airplane, bus, train or boat, you normally need a valid PR card or PRTD. If you return in a qualifying private vehicle, IRCC states that other documents may be used to establish your status at the border.
Will IRCC mail a replacement PR card outside Canada?
No. IRCC does not mail PR cards outside Canada or to a third party outside Canada.
How will I receive my replacement PR card in Canada?
Most permanent residents replacing a card receive the new card by mail at a Canadian address. IRCC may instead require you to collect it at an IRCC office.
What happens if IRCC asks me to pick up my replacement card?
IRCC will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you do not collect the card within 180 days, IRCC states that it will destroy the card and you will need to apply again.
Can I just report a lost PR card without applying for a replacement?
Yes. If you are in Canada and do not need a new card, IRCC allows you to report the lost or stolen card by submitting a solemn declaration.