Canadian PR Card Photo Requirements

About Canadian PR Card

The Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Card is an official identity document that proves your status as a permanent resident of Canada. It’s required for permanent residents to re-enter Canada when traveling by commercial vehicle (plane, train, bus, or boat).

What is the PR Card used for?

• Re-entering Canada when traveling by commercial vehicle
• Proof of permanent resident status in Canada
• Identification for government services and benefits
• Employment verification and background checks
• Opening bank accounts and financial services
• Accessing healthcare services
• Applying for social insurance number (SIN)
• Sponsoring family members for immigration

How to Obtain a Canadian PR Card

Eligibility:

• Must be a permanent resident of Canada
• Must be physically present in Canada when applying
• Must meet residency obligations (2 years out of every 5-year period)
• Must not be under removal order

Types of PR Card Applications:

New PR Card (First-time):

• Automatically issued to new permanent residents
• No application required for first card
• Mailed to Canadian address within 180 days of landing

Renewal:

• Current PR card expired or will expire within 9 months
• Must meet residency obligations
• Must be physically present in Canada

Replacement:

• PR card lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed
• Name change requiring new card
• Must be physically present in Canada

Application Process:

Step 1: Determine Application Type

• Check if you need renewal or replacement
• Verify you meet residency obligations
• Ensure you’re physically present in Canada

Step 2: Gather Documents

• Identity Documents: Passport, birth certificate
• Immigration Documents: Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence
• Travel Documents: All passports used during eligibility period
• Residency Evidence: Tax returns, employment records, school records
• Passport Photos: 2 identical copies meeting IRCC specifications

Step 3: Complete Application

• Fill out Form IMM 5444 (Application for a Permanent Resident Card)
• Include all supporting documents
• Calculate residency obligation compliance

Step 4: Pay Fees

• PR Card fee: $50 CAD
• Processing fee: No additional processing fee
• Rush processing: Not available

Step 5: Submit Application

• Online: Through IRCC secure portal (preferred method)
• By Mail: To Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Step 6: Wait for Processing

• Provide additional documents if requested
• Attend interview if required
• Receive new PR card by mail

Processing Time:

• Renewal: 104 business days (approximately 5 months)
• Replacement: 104 business days (approximately 5 months)
• Urgent processing: Available in exceptional circumstances only

Residency Obligations:

• Must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period
• Time spent outside Canada may count if:
  • Accompanying Canadian citizen spouse/partner
  • Working for Canadian business or government
  • Accompanying permanent resident spouse/partner on authorized assignment

Photo Specifications

Key Requirements

• Size: 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ inches)
• Face Height: 31–36 mm (measured from chin to crown, excluding hair)
• Background: Plain white or light-colored, uniform
• Quality: High resolution, sharp focus, color only
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months

Technical Specifications

• Head Position: Centered, facing directly forward
• Eye Level: Eyes positioned in upper half of photo
• Shoulders: Both shoulders visible and level
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Lighting: Even lighting without shadows, glare, or red-eye

IRCC Standards for PR Card Photos

• Background: Must be plain white or light-colored
• Glasses: Prescription glasses allowed if no glare or reflections
• Contact Lenses: Colored contacts not permitted
• Headwear: Only for religious or medical reasons, face must be fully visible
• Expression: Neutral expression with mouth closed
• Eyes: Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
• Natural Appearance: No digital alterations or heavy makeup

Photo Specifications for Digital Submission

• File Format: JPEG preferred
• File Size: Maximum 4 MB per photo
• Resolution: Minimum 600 DPI
• Color: Full color only
• Dimensions: 420×540 pixels minimum for digital photos

Common Rejection Reasons

Photo Quality Issues

• Low resolution or pixelated images
• Blurry or out-of-focus photographs
• Over or under-exposed images
• Poor color reproduction
• Digital alterations or filters applied

Size and Dimension Problems

• Incorrect photo size (not exactly 50×70mm)
• Face height outside 31-36mm range
• Improper cropping or framing
• Head positioned incorrectly in frame
• Insufficient space around head

Background Issues

• Colored, patterned, or textured backgrounds
• Shadows or uneven lighting on background
• Objects or people visible in background
• Non-uniform background color
• Busy or distracting backgrounds

Appearance Problems

• Eyes closed, squinting, or looking away
• Mouth open or smiling
• Hair covering eyes or face
• Heavy makeup altering natural appearance
• Reflections on glasses or skin

Technical Violations

• Photos older than 6 months
• Black and white or sepia-toned images
• Visible photo editing or retouching
• Wrong file format for digital submission
• File size too large for online submission

Tips for Perfect PR Card Photos

Professional Photography

• Use photographer experienced with IRCC requirements
• Ensure they understand PR card photo specifications
• Verify they can provide both physical and digital copies
• Confirm they use high-quality equipment and lighting

DIY Photography Guidelines

1. Lighting: Use natural daylight or professional lighting setup
2. Background: Pure white wall or professional backdrop
3. Camera: High-resolution camera positioned at eye level
4. Distance: Maintain proper distance for correct face size
5. Expression: Practice neutral, serious expression
6. Clothing: Wear dark-colored clothing for contrast

Digital Submission Tips

• Save photos in JPEG format with minimal compression
• Ensure file size is under 4 MB
• Check resolution meets minimum requirements
• Test upload before final submission
• Keep backup copies of photos

Special Considerations

For Name Changes:

• Legal documents proving name change required
• Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name change
• May require additional processing time
• Old PR card must be returned

For Lost or Stolen PR Cards:

• Report to local police if stolen
• Complete statutory declaration explaining circumstances
• Provide police report number if available
• May require additional security screening

For Damaged PR Cards:

• Submit damaged card with application
• Explain how damage occurred
• May need statutory declaration
• Replacement fee still applies

For Children:

• Same photo requirements apply to all ages
• Parent or guardian must sign application
• Child must be alone in photo
• Both parents’ consent may be required

For Travel While Application is Processing:

• Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD): Apply from outside Canada if PR card expires while abroad
• No travel recommended: Avoid travel while PR card application is processing
• Commercial vehicle travel: PR card required for re-entry by plane, train, bus, or boat
• Private vehicle: Can enter by car with other identity documents

Maintaining Permanent Resident Status

Residency Obligations:

• Must be physically present in Canada for 730 days in every 5-year period
• Failure to meet obligations may result in loss of PR status
• Keep detailed records of time spent in and outside Canada

Rights and Responsibilities:

• Rights: Live, work, and study anywhere in Canada; healthcare coverage; social benefits
• Responsibilities: Pay taxes; respect Canadian laws; no voting in elections

Path to Citizenship:

• Eligible to apply for citizenship after meeting requirements
• Must maintain PR status until citizenship is granted
• Citizenship provides additional rights including voting

Renewal Timeline

When to Renew:

• Apply for renewal when PR card expires or within 9 months of expiry
• Don’t wait until card expires to apply
• Allow sufficient processing time before travel

Renewal Checklist:

• ✓ Verify residency obligation compliance
• ✓ Gather all required documents
• ✓ Take compliant passport photos
• ✓ Complete application form accurately
• ✓ Pay required fees
• ✓ Submit application online or by mail

Renewing your Canadian PR card? Our AI-powered tool creates perfect photos that meet all official IRCC requirements for smooth processing of your permanent resident card application.