How to Fill Out IMM 1344 for PR Card Application

Your permanent resident card is one of the most important documents you hold as a Canadian permanent resident. It proves your status in Canada and allows you to travel back to Canada after trips abroad. If your PR card has expired or will expire soon, you need to apply for a renewal using Form IMM 1344: Application for a Permanent Resident Card.

This guide will take you through the entire form step by step so you can complete it accurately and avoid delays.

Understanding PR Card Basics

Quick tip: download the official IMM1344 first, then fill it while following this guide: Download IMM1344 form (official IRCC).

A Canadian PR card is valid for five years (or one year in some cases). It does not determine your permanent resident status itself. You remain a permanent resident until you formally give up your status or a removal order takes effect. However, without a valid PR card, you cannot board a commercial flight or train to Canada from abroad.

If you are outside Canada with an expired PR card, you may need to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at a Canadian visa office abroad before you can return.

Residency Obligation

To qualify for a PR card renewal, you must meet the residency obligation. This means you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (two years) within the past five years.

Some time spent outside Canada can count toward your residency obligation if:

• You were accompanying a Canadian citizen who is your spouse, common-law partner, or parent (if you were a child).
• You were employed full-time by a Canadian business or the Canadian government and were posted abroad.
• You were accompanying a permanent resident who was employed full-time by a Canadian business abroad.

If you do not meet the residency obligation, your application will be refused, and you may face a determination that you have lost your permanent resident status. For more details, see the IRCC page on understanding PR status.

Documents You Need

Before filling out IMM 1344, gather the following:

• Two recent PR card photos meeting IRCC specifications (50mm x 70mm, taken within the last 6 months).
• Your current or most recent PR card (if you have one).
• Your valid passport or travel document.
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) issued when you first landed.
• Proof of residency in Canada: This can include tax returns (Notices of Assessment), employment records, utility bills, bank statements, school records, or other documents showing you were living in Canada.
• Travel history: A detailed record of all trips outside Canada in the past five years, including dates of departure and return, destinations, and reasons for travel.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing IMM 1344

Section A: Personal Details

Family name and given names: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence. If your name has changed since then (due to marriage, for example), you will need to provide documentation of the name change.

Date of birth: Enter your date of birth in the format YYYY-MM-DD.

Country of birth and citizenship: Enter the country where you were born and your current citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships, list them all.

Gender: Select the appropriate option. Canada now offers a third gender option (X) on official documents.

Client ID / UCI number: This is your Unique Client Identifier, an 8 or 10-digit number assigned by IRCC. You can find it on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence, previous PR card, or correspondence from IRCC.

Section B: Contact Information

Current mailing address: Enter the address where you want IRCC to send your new PR card. This must be a Canadian address. IRCC does not mail PR cards to addresses outside Canada.

Phone number and email: Provide a phone number and email address where IRCC can reach you. Make sure to check your email regularly, including spam folders, for updates on your application.

Section C: Residential History

List all the addresses where you have lived in the past five years, including any addresses outside Canada. Include the dates you lived at each address. This helps IRCC verify your residency in Canada.

Section D: Travel History

This is one of the most important sections. You need to list every trip you took outside Canada in the past five years. For each trip, provide:

• Destination country.
• Date of departure from Canada.
• Date of return to Canada.
• Reason for the trip (vacation, work, family visit, etc.).

Be thorough and accurate. IRCC may verify your travel history using passport stamps, airline records, or border crossing data. Discrepancies between your declared travel and their records can lead to delays or refusal.

If you cannot remember exact dates, check your passport stamps, email confirmations for flights, or bank statements that show foreign transactions.

Section E: Residency Obligation Calculation

Based on your travel history, calculate the total number of days you were physically present in Canada in the past five years. The form provides a space for this calculation.

Count the five-year period backward from the date you sign the application. Add up all the days you were in Canada during this period. You need at least 730 days (two years) to meet the residency obligation.

Section F: Declaration and Signature

Read the declaration carefully. By signing, you confirm that all information in the application is true and complete. Providing false or misleading information is a serious offense that can result in your PR status being revoked.

Sign and date the form. If you are submitting on behalf of a minor child, the parent or legal guardian signs.

How to Submit Your Application

Currently, PR card renewal applications must be submitted by mail to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The mailing address is provided on the IRCC website and in the application guide.

Include all required documents, photos, and the processing fee with your application. As of 2025, the processing fee for a PR card is $50. Check the IRCC PR card page for the most current fee.

You can pay the fee online through the IRCC payment portal before mailing your application. Include the payment receipt with your package.

Processing Times

Processing times for PR card renewals vary. As of early 2026, the typical processing time is several months. You can check current processing times on the IRCC processing times page.

While your application is being processed, you can continue to live and work in Canada as a permanent resident. However, if you need to travel outside Canada, be aware that you may not have a valid PR card to return. Plan your travel accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incomplete travel history: Leaving out trips or providing inaccurate dates is the most common reason for delays and refusals.
• Wrong photos: PR card photos have specific requirements. Use a photographer familiar with IRCC photo specifications.
• Missing signatures: Make sure you sign the declaration. Unsigned applications are returned.
• Not meeting residency: Calculate your days in Canada carefully before applying. If you are close to the 730-day minimum, gather strong supporting evidence.
• Outdated address: If you move after submitting, notify IRCC immediately using their online change of address form.

What If You Do Not Meet the Residency Obligation?

If you have been outside Canada for an extended period and do not meet the 730-day requirement, you have a few options:

• Wait until you accumulate enough days in Canada before applying.
• Apply and present humanitarian and compassionate grounds for why you were outside Canada.
• Be prepared for a possible residency determination hearing where you can explain your circumstances.

If you are at risk of losing your PR status, consider consulting an immigration lawyer or consultant. Our guide on PR card renewal provides additional strategies and tips.

For more immigration resources, explore our guides on applying for Canadian citizenship, sponsoring a family member, and Express Entry.

WelcomeAide is here to support newcomers navigating important life events in Canada. Use our AI Newcomer Navigator for personalized guidance, explore our blog for more newcomer resources, learn about our mission, or discover how to get involved in supporting newcomer communities across Canada.

Download This Form

Before you submit anything, download the latest official file here: Download IMM1344 form (official IRCC). Always use the latest version.

Related internal guides

• IMM 5257 guide
• IMM 1294 guide
• IMM 1295 guide
• IMM 5409 guide
• IMM 5532 guide

Official external resources

• Download IMM1344 form (official IRCC)
• IRCC forms and guides library
• IRCC document checklists
• CRA forms and publications
• IRCC processing times