What the PR card is for
The Canada permanent resident card, usually called the PR card, is the official document the Government of Canada issues to people who have been granted permanent resident status. A Canada PR card is proof of your status, and it lets you return to Canada after you travel abroad without losing that status. The card also helps you access services and benefits available to permanent residents in Canada, such as healthcare and education. Because the card shows that you meet the residency obligations under immigration law, it is one of the most important documents a newcomer to Canada holds.
What is printed on a Canadian PR card
The PR card measures 85.6 × 54 mm, like a credit card, and is made of durable plastic. It shows your name, date of birth, gender, your photo and the expiry date. Security features such as holograms, microprinting and a unique identification number protect the card against counterfeiting. The photo on the card is printed small, so it is worth getting the photo you send right: the correct size, a clean background and a straight head make the picture easy to use.
The 50 × 70 mm photo size explained
The printed photo for a PR card in Canada is 50 mm wide and 70 mm high, close to 2 × 2¾ inches. That is larger than many passport-style photos, so a print made for another document may not fit the size rule. The head should measure about 35 mm from the chin to the crown, with the eyes about 39 mm above the bottom edge. A print at 600 DPI keeps fine details sharp. You can read the full specifications in the official IRCC instruction guide 5445.
Digital photo for an online application
When a digital photo is needed for an online submission, the file should be between 715 × 1000 and 2000 × 2800 pixels, and no heavier than 4 MB. Keep the same 5:7 proportion as the print, with the head centred and a plain white background. Our tool exports the photo in the right pixel dimensions and keeps the file well under the 4 MB limit.
The back of the printed photos
A paper application needs two recent photos. On the back of one, the photographer writes or stamps their name and address and the date the photo was taken; this information may be handwritten. The same print must also show your name and date of birth. Leave the back of the second print blank. If you print at home or at a print shop, ask the person who took the photo to add these details, and write gently so the ink does not show through on the front.
Who can apply for a PR card
To apply for the card you must already be a permanent resident of Canada. You must meet the residency obligation of living in Canada for at least 730 days within the last five years, and you must not be under a removal order or have criminal convictions that affect your residency status. The 730 days do not have to be in a row, so keep travel documents, employment records and tax documents that show when you were in Canada.
How to apply for a Canadian PR card
- Gather your documents: a copy of your permanent resident confirmation document if it applies, proof of residency, and two recent photos that meet the photo specifications.
- Fill in the application form IMM 5444, which you can download from the official government website.
- Pay the CAD 50 application fee through the IRCC website.
- Send the form, the documents, both prints and the proof of payment to the address in the application guide.
- Check the current processing times while you wait. IRCC may contact you if it needs more information.
- If the application is approved, the new PR card arrives by mail.
Renewal, lost cards and replacement
A PR card is usually valid for five years. Apply to renew it before it expires if you want to keep using it for travel and identification. The application asks for recent photos, so take new ones that show how you look today rather than reusing old prints. If your Canada PR card is lost or stolen, report it to the authorities and apply for a replacement card.
Keeping your status
The PR card itself does not keep your status. A Canadian permanent resident who does not meet the residency obligations can lose that status, even if the card has not expired. Count your days in Canada before a long trip, and keep the records that show where you lived and worked.
Photos for children and babies
If you need a photo of a child, the size and the white background on this page stay the same. For a baby, lay the child on a plain white sheet and take the photo from above, with the eyes open if possible and no hands or toys in the frame. Our AI turns that photo into the correct size and crop.
Image quality: what IRCC looks for
A good permanent resident photo is sharp and in focus, with natural skin tones and even light on both sides of the face. It should be recent, taken without a flash that leaves glare on the skin, and printed on quality paper if you send it by mail. Do not edit it: retouching, beauty filters and backgrounds changed by hand can make the photo look unlike you.
Permanent resident photo checklist
- Correct size: 50 × 70 mm print, or 715 × 1000 to 2000 × 2800 pixels for a digital file.
- Plain white background, no shadows or patterns.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open.
- Head straight and centred.
- No hats, and nothing covering the face or eyes.
- Sharp colour photo taken recently, no filters or retouching.
- For prints: photographer details, date, your name and date of birth on the back of one copy.
Photos for other documents
Each Canadian document has its own rules, so a photo taken for the PR card is not automatically valid for every application. When you move on to citizenship, see our Canadian citizenship photo page, and after that the Canada passport photo page. If friends or family visit you in Canada from abroad, they can use the Canada visa photo page or the temporary resident visa photo page.
