Request to Reissue a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Forms and Supporting Documents
• Photographs
• Completing the Form
• What Happens Next
• How to Contact CIC
• Appendix A – Photo specifications

Overview

This application kit is for you if you received a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) containing incorrect information made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Note: Submitting this application does not mean that the correction will be approved and the card replaced.

What information may be corrected with this application?

Your PR Card will be corrected and reissued with the correct information if the error was made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada when you either:

• applied to come to Canada as a permanent resident; or
• submitted an application for a PR card. In this case, all supporting documents must have been submitted and accepted by CIC.

Your reissued PR Card should reflect your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence or your approved Request to Amend the Immigration Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence form (IMM 1436), if applicable.

If the error is also on your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence, you must first obtain an approved Request to Amend the Immigration Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 1436) before you can apply for a correction on your PR Card. You will need to use the application kit Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents (IMM 5218).

What information cannot be corrected with this application?

CIC will not reissue a card to modify information that:

• changed after you became a permanent resident; or
• changed after the PR Card was issued to you; or
• is not due to an error made by CIC.

Such information could include but is not limited to:

• Legal name change
• Name change after marriage or divorce
• Signature
• Name change after adoption

If you wish to change this information, you will have to apply for a new card using the application kit Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5445).

Note: The PR Card has a space limitation of 20 characters (letters) for last names (family names) and 15 characters for given names (first and middle names). If your name is longer, the name on the PR card will automatically be shortened to the first 20 and 15 characters respectively. This is not an error and the PR card cannot be modified to include more characters.

Lost, stolen, destroyed or expired PR Cards

To replace or renew your PR Card, you must re-apply for a new PR Card using the application kit Applying for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5445).

Forms and Supporting Documents

Your request to reissue your PR Card must contain the following pieces of information. If any item is missing, your application will be returned to you.

• The application form Request to Reissue a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5531), [PDF Format, 16 KB];
• Your current PR Card;
• A copy of your Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence;
• A copy of the identity page of your passport;
• If applicable, a copy of your approved Request to Amend Immigration Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence form (IMM 1436) and a copy of the cover letter that you received with the approved Request; and
• If applicable, the Verification of Status document from the CIC Query Response Centre confirming the approval of your request for an amendment to a permanent resident document.

Photographs

If your photograph is the item that requires correction, you will need to include two (2) photos taken within 12 months of the date of this application. You must:

• Place both photos in a small envelope,
• Write the name of the applicant on the envelope,
• Do not use a staple, paper clip or glue on your photo,
• Ensure photos meet specifications of Appendix A – Photo Specifications.

Completing the Form

Complete all areas and sign and date the form.

Mailing Your Application

On the envelope in which you mail your application, print:

PR Card Processing Centre
Client Service Unit
P.O. Box 9000
Sydney, NS
B1P 6K7

Print your name and address at the top left-hand side of the envelope.

If you prefer to send your application by commercial courier, please use the following address:

PR Card Processing Centre
Client Service Unit
49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 5Z2

Designating a third party or representative

Use of a Representative (IMM 5476)

If you have questions or need clarification about this application kit, you may contact us (see section Contact Information). You may also choose to obtain the help of a representative if you need additional advice or support. We will process your application in the same manner, whether or not you have a representative.

A representative is someone who has your permission to conduct business on your behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). He or she will also be able to obtain information on your case file.

If you are appointing a representative, you must obtain and complete the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) and send it with your application.

Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)

To authorize us to release information from your case file to someone other than a representative, you will need to complete form Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475).

The person you designate will be able to obtain information on your case file, such as the status of your application. However, he or she will not be able to conduct business on your behalf with CIC.

Violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

It is a violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for a permanent resident to have been granted permanent residence by reason of possession of a false passport, visa or other document, of Canadian or foreign origin, that intends to establish or that could be used to establish a person’s identity for the purpose of entering or remaining in Canada. A person who is found in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment of up to 14 years.

What happens next

Hearing from CIC

This is the type of communication that you receive from CIC as a result of submitting this application:

• If your application is properly completed and you meet the requirements for a PR Card
  • you will receive your card in the mail or a letter from CIC advising you of when and where to pick up your card.
• If your application is incomplete
  • your application will be returned to you.

Updating your contact information

During the application process, you must advise us of any change of address or telephone number. You can do this by going to Change my address or by consulting the “How to contact CIC” section at the end of this guide.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is:

• only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
• not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the Help Centre on our website.

Quality Assurance Program

Our quality assurance program randomly selects applications for a special review. If selected you will be asked to attend an interview with a Citizenship and Immigration official so that we can:

• verify the documentation you submitted is accurate,
• verify that your application has been completed properly.

Note: You will be notified in writing should your application be selected.

Current processing times and urgent cases

Current processing times are updated regularly on our website. Urgent processing of permanent resident cards will only occur under specific circumstances.

How to contact CIC

Within Canada

CIC Call Centre:

1 888 242-2100 (toll-free)

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., your local time

If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, or you have a speech impediment and use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time by calling: 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada only).

Outside Canada

Contact a visa office at a Canadian:

• Embassy,
• High Commission or
• Consulate

Consult the local phone pages or the CIC website for addresses, phone numbers and website addresses.

Appendix A: Photo specifications

TAKE THIS INFORMATION SHEET WITH YOU TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Important information

NEW Photo Dimensions

Permanent Resident Card photos are not the same as passport photos.

• You may wear non-tinted and tinted prescription glasses as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Make sure that your eyes are not hidden by glare on the lenses. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
• A hairpiece or other cosmetic accessory is acceptable if it does not disguise your normal appearance and you wear the accessory on a regular basis.
• The photos must clearly show your face. If you may not remove your head covering for religious reasons, make sure your full facial features are visible.
• Photos must have been taken within the last 12 months to ensure an up-to-date likeness.
• Photos may be either black and white or colour.
• Your face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, and with your mouth closed.

Notes to the photographer

The two photos must:

• show a full front view of the person’s head showing full face centred in the middle of the photo;
• be clear, well-defined and taken against a plain white background without shadows;
• be produced from the same unretouched film or from the same file capturing the digital image or from two identical photos exposed simultaneously by a split-image or multi-lens camera;
• be original photos (not taken from any existing photo);
• New: measure between 25 mm and 30 mm (1” and 1 1/5”) from chin to crown (top of hair);
• have a 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″) finished size;
• be on photographic paper that has a backing which accepts and retains the date. Photos without this backing are not acceptable;
• be on prints that are well-fixed and washed to prevent discolouration;
• bear the date the photo was taken (not the date the photo was printed) directly on the back of one print (stick-on labels are not acceptable).

Photograph Specifications (PDF, 989 KB)
You may print this and bring it with you to the photographer.