Who handles residence permit renewal in Canada?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada. Official information: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/renew-replace.html

What do I need to bring to renew a residence permit in Canada?

Completed application form (IMM 5444); Copy of the current Permanent Resident Card; Evidence of identity and residency (such as travel documents or past tax assessments); Two specific-sized passport photos meeting official specifications; Proof of fee payment.

What commonly goes wrong with a residence permit renewal in Canada?

Submitting photographs that do not meet the strict technical specifications required by IRCC. Failing to provide evidence of residency during the five-year period preceding the application. Incomplete applications, which are typically returned to the applicant, causing significant delays.

Guides · Canada

Residence permit renewal in Canada

How to renew a residence permit — how it works anywhere

Written from published rules on 31 August 2026. Not monitored for changes since. A starting point, not official advice — confirm anything that matters with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada.

Renewing a Canadian residence permit, typically referred to as a Permanent Resident (PR) Card, involves submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Applicants must demonstrate they continue to meet the residency obligation and maintain their status.

Your timing

Applicants are generally advised to apply several months in advance of their card's expiry. Processing times can fluctuate significantly depending on current volume, and applicants often face wait times for verification and identity processing.

Start 180 days ahead

Standard administrative processing times vary; starting at least six months before expiry helps account for potential delays in identity verification and document shipping.

The process

1Verify eligibility by ensuring physical presence requirements are met.
2Obtain and complete the official application package for a Permanent Resident Card.
3Gather all required supporting documentation and recent passport-style photographs.
4Pay the required processing fees online through the official portal.
5Submit the completed application package via mail to the specified processing centre.
6Monitor the application status through the IRCC online account.

What to bring

Completed application form (IMM 5444)
Copy of the current Permanent Resident Card
Evidence of identity and residency (such as travel documents or past tax assessments)
Two specific-sized passport photos meeting official specifications
Proof of fee payment

Who handles it

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/renew-replace.html

The standard processing fee for a PR card renewal is 50 CAD, as outlined on the official IRCC website.

What commonly goes wrong

Submitting photographs that do not meet the strict technical specifications required by IRCC.
Failing to provide evidence of residency during the five-year period preceding the application.
Incomplete applications, which are typically returned to the applicant, causing significant delays.

Sources

This guide is based on one official source.

Renew or replace your PR card canada.ca

Don't rely on remembering

Renewals here take about 180 days to start. Add this document and Duratum will tell you when that window opens.

Track my Residence permit