What is a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) in Canada?
The Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is a travel document issued by the government of Canada to permanent residents who are outside of Canada and do not have a valid permanent resident (PR) card to return to the country. Permanent residents of Canada are required to have a valid PR card or PRTD to board a commercial transportation (like an airplane) to return to Canada.
To show proof, you either need your PR card or PRTD Canada Visa document. A Permanent Resident Travel Document is akin to your ticket back to Canada as you travel back to the country through any commercial carrier such as bus, train, plane or boat). Without your PR card or your PRTD Canada, you will be denied entry.
PRTD Canada is issued to outside of Canada permanent residents when one’s PR card’s validity has expired or when one has lost it. The reasons can be many, but your PRTD Canada is the sole document that can help you get entry back into the country when you do not have a valid PR card.
What is the PRTD Canada Visa processing time?
The processing time for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) in Canada is typically 2 to 8 weeks. It is recommended to submit your application at least 1 to 3 months before your planned travel dates. If you find yourself dealing with an emergency, the IRCC does make exceptions for PRTD applications in Canada and approves them when needed subject to their internal resources. Always remember that there is no guarantee, and you must apply for PRTD Canada in advance.
Can I enter Canada without PRTD?
As we discussed above, a valid PR card or a valid PRTD Canada is required for anyone to get back to Canada using commercial modes of transport. If you are a permanent resident of Canada and do not have your PR card for any unforeseen circumstances, you must present your PRTD document. Without the PRTD document, you may not be able to board your flight, train or bus. It is your responsibility to make sure that you apply for PRTD Canada in time and get it approved.
How long is PRTD valid Visa for?
The typical PRTD validity time is usually six months from the date of issue. Once you have successfully applied for your PRTD Canada and received your approval, you can use your PRTD Canada document to travel typically six months from the date of approval. As soon as you enter the country, your PRTD become invalid, and that is crucial to remember. So keep in mind that you cannot use the same PRTD twice, even if it has not been six months since it was issued. This is not common, but sometimes immigration officers may choose to limit the time of your PRTD to less than 6 months.
How to apply for PRTD Canada Visa?
If you are looking to apply for PRTD Canada, all you need to do is fill out an application form. What comes next is more important. You want your application to go forward smoothly, without any obstacles. To do so, arrange your documents and present them in the order as suggested by the application form. This will make it easier for the officer examining your application to go through it. If hiring a representative for your case, you will need to use a representative form. The processing fee for PRTD Canada is $50, and you will mostly need to apply via the Visa Application Centres. But this will also cost premium fees.
What happens if PRTD is refused?
A refused PRTD means that you have lost permanent resident status and are a foreign national. However, according to Paragraph 63(4) of IRPA, a candidate whose application is refused can seek an appeal of the decision of a visa officer in Canada who has denied PRTD. A candidate has 60 days to appeal the decision from the date of the result of their previous application (or 30 days if your residency obligation was assessed negatively at a port of entry). You may need to attend a hearing held by the IAD for this if you have been in the country for 365 days. Our lawyers at Chaudhary Law have represented many candidates in the past and would be delighted to do so for you.
Canada PRTD processing time from India:
You can only apply for PRTD Canada from outside of the country. So if you are in India , you must apply for your PRTD document two to six weeks in advance, which means you have ample of time to travel and enter the country. You may not be able to board a flight from Canada to India if you don’t process this document. Our PR lawyers in Toronto are experienced and knowledgeable to handle any legal complications and guide you through visa application process. Given all the requirements are met, we guarantee a smooth transition for all your PR needs. To book a consultation, call 416-447-6118.
Thank you for the latest update on PRTD.
My family did our first landing in Toronto 5 months back and had to return to wrap up our life in UAE. I, the wife am the primary applicant and received my PR card in three months. But my husband and children have not received it to date. I am travelling next month to start my job in Toronto and want my family to join me in time for kids to join school in September. Is it best to reapply for PR card or go for PRTD ?
Appreciate your advice as I am unable to track their PR Card Status.
a new permanent resident card application is associated with a lost permanent resident card. a prtd is suitable depending on their travel history, country of citizenship/passport, and other factors. you may want to consult through: https://chaudharylaw.com/book-an-appointment/
What’s the current wait time for pr travel documents? Already waiting 6 weeks..
This depends on the candidates location and could take four to eight weeks in many cases.
I’m travelling next week and I haven’t receive my new pr card? Can this agency help
Me file for it?
Hello the lawyers here would need more detail which you can send to clerk@chaudharylaw.wpenginepowered.com
Hello,
I became a PR almost five months ago and got my eCopr. However, my photo was rejected in the portal after two weeks, and I immediately re-uploaded a new photo, but to this day there has been no update. I’ve tried contacting IRCC, but they keep saying to wait. Also, I’ve done a legal name change and updated the name on my passport after becoming a PR. Anyway, I’m leaving the country in October for a two-month trip abroad. Can your office help me file for a new PR Card application and make the solemn declaration that my card was never received because I haven’t received it and have a new name?
Hello we can file a new permanent resident card application you can reach out through the email clerk[at]chaudharylaw.com
1.what happens if my PRTD visa expires
and what are my options thereafter
2.my PRTD visa is valid for 6 months , how do i extend it ?
In many cases you have to re-apply with the new/accurate facts/circumstances to present to the deciding visa officer.
Hello, I have applied for my husband’s PRTD DOCUMENT online on March 22,2023 coz he has received final notice from ircc to pick up his renewed PR CARD in person . but we have not received any confirmation from ircc till today. and also we have sent an urgent request coz he needs to pick up card before 25 of May 2023. how can we find where my application is stand?
if you can help.
Hello since he is not in Canada then he may need to amend or add to the PRTD submissions to reflect the uniqueness/urgency of the situation
What’s the current wait time for pr travel documents? Already waiting almost 8 weeks…..
In some cases people have reached out to us and told us that their permanent resident travel document has taken 12 weeks.
I am a permanent resident for twenty five years full time My sister has surprised me with a 50th birthday present. Taking me and my mother to Jamaica next month. As my mother doesn’t have too much more time so it’s a special vacation I have just realized my p r card expired three weeks ago Do I apply now for the temporary Travel and do I have time? I’m leaving in 4 weeks for the holiday.travel?
You have options such as applying for a PRTD, or an accelerated permanent resident card application, but you’d want to get legal advice before proceeding.
Hi from initial application how long does it take to process i did see 2-8 weeks as general rule of thumb tow long, so stressful applied 2 weeks ago and no communication yet.
The processing time varies depending on where you are located e.g. which country.
We are leaving May 25 to the UK. We originally sent 3 PR renewals in December in one envelope. Two were received and one lost (my husbands). I have since sent another application April 6th marked urgent with all the travel documentation etc and it still hasn’t been processed. Now we are looking at dong a PRTD form but he is only gone for 11 days and it states between 14 to 3 months. Should we travel or not. This is so unfair as this was no fault of our own doing this. It is very stressful and frustrating.
Hello we hope this issue got resolved.
My mom, Fathia Abdelmageed Ibrahim had to flee Khartoum, Sudan do to the war on April 26, 2023, the security situation in her area was very dangerous and was forced to evacuate her house and travel for five days, a distance of 1100 kilometres to cross the border and arrive in Egypt on April 30, 2023.
Note: My PR Card is expired and I do not have it. In my possession I only have my: 1) SIN Card 2) Confirmation of Permanent Residence, Client ID:—– 3) A valid Sudanese passport. I’m currently in Cairo, Egypt, I’m requesting urgent assistance to be issued PRTD based on Humanitarian and compassionate grounds by the Canadian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt in order to travel to Canada and reunite with all my Canadian family (Son, three daughters and my grandkids). SD2023
Hello have you filed the prtd application with the canadian visa office yet? If so, did you get an Acknowledgement Of Receipt ? If you did not get an Acknowledgement Of Receipt then you may need to send a web form
Hi
For PRTD on Humanitarian ground…
After submission
Is the acknowledgment of a receipt, must for IRCC to process application ?
Or a decision can come within the relevant timeframe ?
Any comments
An Acknowledgement Of Receipt is intermittently given depednding on which office is asked with the PRTD.
What about online application, since we are not sure which office will receive an application ?
hello, .my son was in india .he got letter regarding pick up of PR card and a
representative in canada applied for PRTD online in March month but we have not receive any response. please tell us what to do
Hello did you follow up via webform? this sometimes helps. If you did and there was no result, then mandamus may be an option.
PR card expired 10 years ago. No visit was made to Canada since then. Indian applicant received PRTD on H&C grounds. The applicant traveled to Canada using the PRTD and has been living in Canada for 88 days. Can the applicant apply for PR card renewal? Is there any risk of the PR status being rejected?
there some risks to this, and if you already consulted us then we hope the advice was clear.
Considering below scenario……
PRTD issued on H&C grounds and applicant in Canada physically
How many days applicant has to complete to be physically in Canada prior to apply for PR CARD ?
What could be correct way and how someone can apply to get PR Card ?
Kindly advise
Hello,
My husband applied for PRTD on July 2022, and we have not heard back from The turkey Vac office. the MP office followed his case as well, but they were unsuccessful after 9 months following. we had applied for an urgent request coz he had to pick up his card, however, his due is passed. I want my husband back home, so I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
One potential course of action: https://chaudharylaw.com/services/appeal/mandamus-canada/ – but you’d want to get legal advice about this however before proceeding
Hi
My PR card expired in December and because of COVID and some unforeseen events I was not able to land in Canada before the expiry of MY PR card. I would appreciate what is the best possible way to renew the PR card
You’d need legal advice about whether or not prtd is going to help you restore your status, or accelerate the loss of your permanent resident status. See: https://chaudharylaw.com/get-your-pr-card-after-landing-in-canada/
Hello my son’s pr is still on the process.He applied last February.He has received AOR and the security checking is going on. He is coming to SriLanka for his wedding in December.What can be done for him to get back to Canada after the holidays,If his pr card delays
He may need a temporary resident visa to re-enter canada along with his existing valid permit
Hello. My PR was approved about two months ago but I have not yet revived my card. The estimated processing time published is 36 days and while I’m past that time the +6 weeks that I’m asked to wait post ETA before filing a case have not yet occurred. The challenge I’m phasing is that I have a an upcoming business trip I need to do end of September (5 days) and can’t find information on how to come back home. My understanding is that PRTD can only be applied for abroad.
Is there any alternative I have? And if so are you able to help with such process?
A prtd is one pathway to return to Canada , the lawyers here can advise about others depending on your particular situation/circumstances.
Hi, I got my Copr on 31st of July and its been 6+ weeks still didn’t received my pr card and I have flight on this Saturday to India return ticket is on next month 2nd October. is there way to get prtd document before return time.
Hello unfortately the PRTD processing times are not disclosed by the IRCC
Hi,
I got my PRTD on H&C grounds with RC-1 coding.
Should I apply for PR card immidiatley upon landing in Canada or wait for 2 years to be on safer side.
What’s the rush?
Hi, my husband had to leave to india to give urgent medical care to his mother. Our pr status is approved but the option to apply for prtd is grayed out. Although his visitors visa is valid until 2027. Can he reenter Canada without prtd.
This depends on which passport you possess, and whether you are formally landed/recognized as a permanent resident of Canada.
I lost my PR card while travelling to india and i already applied for my prtd doc. Last week. But as you know the tension between India and Canada, wanna ask if its gonna impact the processing time as the india ask canada to withdraw their diplomat, any lead would be helpful
The PRTD processing time will be longer in your case.
Hi, my PR got approved a week ago (Oct 13) and I’m waiting for the PR card. I’ll be travelling in December and want to prepare for a PRTD in case I need it if my PR card is still not mailed to me before I leave.
However, the PTDR online application is greyed out on the portal. Is this because I’m still in Canada? how can I proceed?
Will the online application be available once I leave Canada?
Recently they’ve made it not possible to file for a PRTD on the portal directed as individual applicants.
Hi, I have the same issue, PRTD application is greyed out. I have a flight in 3 days.
What do you mean by this? What could I do to apply for a PRTD? Since you should only apply online through the portal.
I hope you could help, thank you
Assuming you are a permanent resident , you must have a prtd to enter canada in most cases, depending on which passport you possess, and which port of entry you seek entry at.
Hi, my boyfriend lived in Canada for 4-5 years and completed his elementary education from there.He had his PR however his parents made him come back to Canada before he started his 9th Grade and continued to study in India. His younger sister is a citizen of Canada. His PR is expired now but he wants to pursue his studies and career back in Canada.Its been almost a year since he applied for his PRTD but it’s status is that it’s getting verified now.I am worried if he will get his PRTD on time that is May 2024.I am currently in Canada and we plan on living together.But I am very uncertain now and stressed so is he. What are the chances that he’ll get his PRTD and PR renewed?
The diplomatic issues between Canada and India may make this case proceed more slowly: https://www.tiktok.com/@torontoimmigrationlawyer/video/7299173179753237765
Hey, I’m a permanent resident of Canada but my PR card expired 7 months ago. for an emergency reason, I came to Sri Lanka now I have to return to Canada. If I apply for PRTD how long it will take for me to go back to Canada?
there are many factors that influence the time frame so this could be three weeks to more than six months.
Considering below scenario……
PRTD issued on H&C grounds and applicant in Canada physically.
How many days applicant has to wait or complete to be physically in Canada and to apply for PR CARD ?
What could be correct way and how someone can apply to get PR Card ?
Kindly advise
what do you mean by ”approves them when needed subject to their internal resources”?
How many officers are assigned to decide on such cases.