IMM 1344 PR Card Application: 2026 Guide for Renewal

Your Permanent Resident (PR) card is your proof of status in Canada and your travel document for re-entering the country. Whether you're applying for your first PR card after landing or renewing an expiring one, you'll need to complete the IMM 1344 — the official Application for a Permanent Resident Card. While the form itself isn't overwhelmingly complex, errors and incomplete submissions are among the top reasons for processing delays.

See also: How to Get Your SIN Number in Canada

See also: Replace Lost PR Card Guide

In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we walk you through every section of the IMM 1344, explain the residency obligation you must meet, and share practical tips to ensure your application goes smoothly. By the end, you'll know exactly what IRCC expects and how to deliver it.

Understanding the PR Card and the IMM 1344

A Canadian PR card is a wallet-sized card that serves two primary purposes: it proves your permanent resident status and it allows you to board commercial vehicles (planes, trains, buses, or boats) to return to Canada. While your PR status itself does not expire (unless you lose it through a formal process), the PR card does — it's typically valid for five years from the date of issue.

The IMM 1344 is the form you use for both first-time PR card applications and renewals. According to IRCC's PR card page, you can submit this form if you are:

• A new permanent resident who did not receive a PR card at the time of landing (this sometimes happens with certain immigration programs)
• A current permanent resident whose PR card has expired or is about to expire
• A permanent resident whose card was lost, stolen, or damaged

It's important to understand that the PR card is not the same as your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document. The COPR is the document you receive when your PR application is approved, while the PR card is the ongoing proof of status you carry with you. For a deeper dive into the full PR card renewal process, check out our complete PR card renewal guide.

See also: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

The Residency Obligation: Can You Renew Your PR Card?

Before you even start filling out the IMM 1344, you need to assess whether you meet Canada's residency obligation. This is the single most important factor in a PR card renewal application, and failing to meet it can result in the loss of your permanent resident status.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, permanent residents must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (two years) within every five-year period. This is assessed on a rolling basis — meaning IRCC looks at the five years immediately preceding the date of your application.

There are some exceptions where time spent outside Canada may count toward your residency obligation:

• Accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or parent outside Canada
• Working for a Canadian business or the Canadian government on a full-time basis outside Canada
• Accompanying a permanent resident spouse who is working full-time for a Canadian business outside Canada

If you don't meet the 730-day requirement and none of the exceptions apply, submitting the IMM 1344 could trigger a residency determination proceeding that may result in the loss of your PR status. In this situation, it is strongly advisable to consult with an immigration lawyer before applying. You can verify your residency days by reviewing your travel history through your passport stamps, airline records, and border crossing records available through your IRCC online account.

What You'll Need Before Starting the IMM 1344

Gather the following documents and information before you begin:

• Your current or most recent PR card (if renewing or replacing)
• Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) — the IMM 5292 or IMM 5688
• Your current passport and all passports held during the past five years
• Two PR card photos meeting IRCC specifications (50mm x 70mm, taken within the last 6 months)
• A detailed travel history for the past five years — every trip outside Canada with exact dates of departure and return
• Proof of address in Canada (utility bill, bank statement, or government correspondence)
• The processing fee — currently $50 CAD

Use our immigration checklist tool to make sure you have everything ready before you start filling out the form. Missing even one required document can delay your application by weeks or months.

Section-by-Section Guide to the IMM 1344

Now let's walk through each section of the form in detail.

Section A: Personal Information

This section collects your basic identifying information:

• UCI (Unique Client Identifier) — this is also known as your client ID number. You can find it on your COPR, previous PR card, or any IRCC correspondence. It's an 8 or 10-digit number.
• Full name — exactly as it appears on your COPR and passport. If your name has changed since you became a permanent resident, you'll need to provide legal documentation of the name change.
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Country of birth
• Country of citizenship
• Current mailing address in Canada

A critical note: the IMM 1344 requires a Canadian mailing address. If you are currently outside Canada, you'll need to provide the address of someone in Canada who can receive mail on your behalf. However, applying from outside Canada is only possible in very limited circumstances — specifically, if you are outside Canada and need a travel document to return.

Section B: PR Card Details

This section asks about the reason for your application. You'll select one of the following:

1. First card — you became a permanent resident but never received a PR card
2. Renewal — your current card has expired or will expire within nine months
3. Replacement — your card was lost, stolen, destroyed, or has an error

If you're replacing a lost or stolen card, you'll need to provide details about when and where you last had it. For stolen cards, IRCC may ask for a police report number. If the card has an error (wrong name, incorrect date of birth, etc.), include documentation showing the correct information.

You'll also provide your current PR card number and expiry date if applicable. This information is on the front of your existing PR card.

Section C: Residency History

This is the most detailed and consequential section of the IMM 1344. You must provide a complete record of your absences from Canada over the past five years. For each trip outside Canada, you'll need to record:

• The destination country
• The date you left Canada
• The date you returned to Canada
• The reason for travel (vacation, work, family visit, etc.)

IRCC uses this information to calculate whether you've met the 730-day residency requirement. Be meticulous and thorough — IRCC has access to your travel records through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and will cross-reference your declarations against their data. Discrepancies between what you declare and what CBSA records show can lead to concerns about credibility.

Tips for completing this section:

• Review your passport stamps carefully for every entry and exit
• Check airline records and email confirmations for exact travel dates
• Request your CBSA traveller history through an Access to Information request if you're unsure about dates
• Don't estimate — if you list "approximately January 2023" but CBSA records show February 3, 2023, this creates an inconsistency
• Include every trip, even short ones like a weekend drive across the US border

Section D: Declaration

The declaration section requires you to confirm that all information provided is truthful and complete. You sign and date the form here. For digital submissions, an electronic signature is accepted. Making a false declaration on an immigration form is a criminal offence under the IRPA and can result in losing your PR status and being banned from Canada.

Photos and Supporting Documents

PR card photos have specific requirements that differ from passport photos. Your photos must be:

• 50mm wide by 70mm high (not the standard passport size)
• Taken within the last 6 months
• Against a plain white or light-coloured background
• Showing your full face, with a neutral expression and mouth closed
• Printed on photo-quality paper

Many photo studios are familiar with Canadian PR card photo specifications, but it's worth confirming they know the correct size before you pay. You can review the full IRCC PR card photo specifications for exact requirements. An incorrectly sized photo is a common reason for returned applications.

Along with your photos, you'll submit copies of your COPR, all passports from the past five years, and any other documents that support your residency claim (such as employment records, tax returns, or school transcripts showing you were in Canada). For tips on organizing these documents, check our citizenship application guide, which covers similar documentation requirements.

See also: Canadian Citizenship Application Guide

First-Time PR Card vs. Renewal: Key Differences

While both first-time and renewal applicants use the same IMM 1344 form, there are some important differences in the process:

First-Time Applicants

If you landed in Canada as a permanent resident but did not receive your PR card (this can happen if you landed at a port of entry with limited card-issuing capabilities, or if there was an administrative delay), you'll apply for your first PR card using the IMM 1344. In this case, the residency obligation is assessed from the date you first became a permanent resident. If you landed very recently, you won't have a five-year history to assess, so the residency requirement is typically easier to demonstrate.

Renewal Applicants

For renewals, IRCC looks at the five years immediately before the date they receive your application. This is important timing-wise: if you're close to the 730-day threshold, the exact date your application is received could make the difference between meeting the requirement and falling short. Apply as early as possible — you can submit a renewal application up to nine months before your current card expires.

Replacement Due to Loss or Theft

If your card was lost or stolen, the residency assessment is the same as for renewals. You'll need to declare the circumstances of the loss and, for stolen cards, should file a police report. Note that a replacement card will have the same expiry date as your original card — you don't get a fresh five years just because you lost the card.

Processing Times and What to Expect

As of 2026, IRCC's target processing time for PR card applications is approximately 45 to 60 business days from the date they receive a complete application. However, actual processing times can vary based on volume, the complexity of your case, and whether IRCC needs to verify any information.

You can check current processing times on the IRCC processing times page. If your application is straightforward and complete, you can generally expect to receive your new card within two to three months.

While your application is being processed, your PR status remains valid even if your card has expired. However, without a valid PR card, you cannot board a commercial vehicle to travel back to Canada from abroad. If you need to travel while your renewal is being processed, you may need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) from a Canadian visa office abroad.

Common Mistakes That Delay PR Card Applications

Here are the most frequent errors we see on IMM 1344 applications:

1. Incomplete travel history — leaving out trips, especially short cross-border trips, is the number one cause of delays
2. Wrong photo specifications — using passport-sized photos instead of the required 50mm x 70mm PR card photos
3. Not including all passports — you must submit copies of every passport you held during the past five years, even expired ones
4. Incorrect fee payment — as of 2026, the fee is $50 CAD; sending the wrong amount will result in a returned application
5. Missing signature — unsigned forms are automatically returned
6. Applying too late — waiting until your card has expired to apply means you cannot travel internationally until you receive the new card

For help preparing your application materials, consider using our resume builder if you need employment documentation to support your residency claim, and keep all your paperwork organized with clear labels and tabs.

What If You Don't Meet the Residency Obligation?

If you have spent significant time outside Canada and don't meet the 730-day residency requirement, applying for a PR card renewal is risky. When you submit the IMM 1344, IRCC will assess your residency. If they determine you haven't met the obligation, they may issue a report that could lead to a residency determination hearing before the Immigration Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

At a residency determination hearing, you can present evidence and argue that you should retain your PR status despite not meeting the strict 730-day requirement. The IRB member will consider humanitarian and compassionate factors, but the bar is high. If the decision goes against you, you can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), but this process can take years.

The bottom line: if you're not sure whether you meet the residency obligation, consult with an immigration lawyer before submitting the IMM 1344. There may be strategic decisions about when and how to apply that could affect the outcome. As noted in the IRCC guide to understanding PR status, maintaining your residency obligation is your responsibility as a permanent resident.

Final Thoughts

The IMM 1344 PR card application is a straightforward form, but the stakes are high. Your PR card is your gateway to travel freely as a Canadian permanent resident, and the residency assessment built into the renewal process means that this form also serves as a check on your ongoing eligibility for PR status. Take the time to accurately document your travel history, gather all required supporting documents, and submit a complete, error-free application.

If you're proactive about your renewal — applying well before your current card expires — and diligent about maintaining your residency obligation, the process should be smooth and straightforward. If any section of the form is unclear, take the time to research the terminology or seek professional advice before submitting.