How to Fill Out IMM 1344 for PR Card Application

Your Permanent Resident (PR) card is your proof of status in Canada. It allows you to return to Canada after international travel when using a commercial airline, bus, train, or cruise ship. If your PR card has expired or is about to expire, you need to apply for a renewal using Form IMM 1344. This guide walks you through every section of the form so you can complete it confidently.

Who Needs to File IMM 1344?

You need this form if you are a Canadian permanent resident and:

• Your current PR card has expired or will expire soon
• Your PR card was lost, stolen, or damaged
• You never received your first PR card after landing
• You legally changed your name and need an updated card

Important: The PR card is not the same as your permanent resident status. Your status does not expire when your card expires. However, without a valid PR card, you may not be able to board a commercial carrier to return to Canada from abroad. If you are already in Canada, you can still prove your status with other documents.

Residency Obligation

To be eligible for a PR card renewal, you must meet the residency obligation: you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (two years) out of the past five years. Days spent outside Canada may count in certain situations:

• Accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or common-law partner abroad
• Working for a Canadian business or the Canadian government abroad
• Certain humanitarian or compassionate grounds

If you do not meet the residency obligation, your application may be refused and you could lose your PR status. If you are unsure, check the IRCC residency obligation page.

Step-by-Step: Completing IMM 1344

Section A: Personal Information

1. Full legal name: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or Record of Landing (IMM 1000). If you have legally changed your name, provide the new name and attach legal proof (marriage certificate, legal name change document).
2. Date of birth: Use the format YYYY-MM-DD
3. Country of birth and citizenship: List your country of birth and current citizenships
4. Gender: Select as applicable
5. Client ID / UCI number: This is your Unique Client Identifier, found on previous immigration documents

Section B: Contact Information

1. Current mailing address: This must be a Canadian address. The PR card will be mailed here.
2. Residential address: If different from your mailing address
3. Phone number and email: Provide current contact information for correspondence

Section C: PR Card Details

1. Indicate whether this is a renewal, replacement (lost/stolen/damaged), or first-time application
2. If replacing a lost or stolen card, you may need to provide a police report number
3. Enter your current or most recent PR card number if applicable

Section D: Travel History and Residency

This is the most important and detailed section. You must list:

• All absences from Canada in the past five years, including dates of departure and return, destination, and reason for travel
• Your total days physically present in Canada during the five-year period

Tips for completing this section:

• Check your passport stamps to reconstruct your travel history
• Review airline booking records and credit card statements
• Be honest and thorough. IRCC may verify your travel history through border records.
• Use a spreadsheet to calculate days outside Canada before transferring to the form

Section E: Background Questions

Answer the background and admissibility questions honestly. These include questions about criminal history, immigration violations, and whether you have been ordered to leave Canada. Answering "yes" to any of these does not automatically disqualify you, but you must provide full details and supporting documents.

Section F: Declaration and Signature

Sign and date the form. If applying online, you will use an electronic signature. By signing, you declare that all information is truthful and complete. Misrepresentation on an immigration application is a serious offense that can result in a ban from Canada.

Required Documents

Along with the completed IMM 1344, you must submit:

• Two recent passport-size photos meeting IRCC photo specifications
• A photocopy of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or Record of Landing
• Photocopies of all pages of all passports and travel documents used in the past five years
• A photocopy of your current or expired PR card (if you have one)
• Proof of residency in Canada (for example, tax returns, employment records, rental agreements)
• The processing fee (check the current amount on the IRCC PR card page)

How to Submit

You can apply online through the IRCC online portal or by mail. Online applications are generally processed faster. If applying by mail, send your completed application to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Processing Times

Processing times vary and can range from 50 to 120 days or more. Check the IRCC processing times page for the most current estimate. Do not book international travel until you have received your new PR card.

Common Mistakes

• Incomplete travel history: IRCC cross-references your declared travel with border records. Missing trips can delay processing or lead to refusal.
• Wrong photo specifications: PR card photos have specific requirements (size, background, expression). Have them taken at a professional photo studio.
• Applying from outside Canada: You must be in Canada when you submit a PR card application. If you are abroad, you cannot apply. Instead, you may need a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).
• Not meeting the residency obligation: Calculate your days carefully before applying. If you are short, you may want to wait until you accumulate enough days.

For related immigration guides, see our articles on IMM 5645 Family Information Form, IMM 5669 Schedule A, and IMM 5476 Use of a Representative.

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