Lost PR Card in Canada: How to Replace It Step-by-Step (2026)

How Do I Complete the IMM 5451 Solemn Declaration?

Short answer: The Solemn Declaration is the most-scrutinized part, include when you last had the card, where you last had it, the circumstances of the loss, recovery efforts you took, and sign it in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, notary public, lawyer, or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

The Solemn Declaration is the most-scrutinized part of a lost-card application. IRCC reviews it for inconsistencies. Include:

• The approximate date you last had the card
• Where you last had it
• The circumstances of the loss (moving, traveling, theft)
• Any actions you took to find it
• Confirmation that you understand the declaration is made under oath

The declaration must be signed in front of a Commissioner of Oaths, notary public, lawyer, or RCIC. The signature page is invalid without that.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost PR Card?

Short answer: Pay the $50 replacement fee through the IRCC online payment portal, print the PDF receipt, and place it on top of the application package. The replacement fee is the same as the standard PR card renewal fee. The $50 is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Pay only through the official portal to generate a valid receipt; IRCC does not accept cheques or money orders for this application.

Pay through the IRCC online payment portal at ircc.canada.ca. The portal generates a PDF receipt. Print it and place it on top of the application package.

The replacement fee matches the standard renewal fee. The full fee breakdown is in the PR card renewal fees article.

Where Do I Mail My PR Card Replacement Application?

Short answer: PR card applications must be mailed to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. There is no online submission option for PR card replacements. Send your package to Case Processing Centre PR Card, P.O. Box 10020, Sydney NS B1P 7C1, Canada. Use a tracked mailing service and keep the tracking number until you receive your new card. Major couriers including Canada Post Xpresspost, UPS, and FedEx deliver to this PO Box address.

PR card applications must be mailed. There is no online submission for PR card replacements. Send to the address listed in the IMM 5444 instructions, which is currently:

Use a tracked mailing service. Regular mail can be lost in transit, and IRCC will not process an application it never received.

How Long Does It Take to Replace a Lost PR Card?

Short answer: Standard processing for a lost PR card replacement matches the standard renewal timeline at roughly 30 to 95 days according to IRCC published times. Processing times depend on current application volumes at the Case Processing Centre in Sydney. You can check the current posted wait time on IRCC's processing times page. IRCC may also send a letter to your listed address requesting additional documents during the process.

Standard processing time for a lost-card replacement is the same as renewal, currently around 30 to 95 days according to IRCC's published times. The current wait is at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html.

IRCC may request additional documents. Check the address you listed for any mail from CPC-Sydney.

What Do I Do If I Need to Travel Before My Replacement Card Arrives?

Short answer: You can leave Canada without a PR card and return by private vehicle from the US, but to board a commercial flight, train, or bus back to Canada you need a valid PR card or a Permanent Resident Travel Document obtained at the nearest Canadian visa office.

This is the most common reason people search for a replacement process. The new card will not arrive in time for an upcoming trip in most cases.

If you are inside Canada and need to leave: You can leave Canada without a PR card. The card is only required to board a commercial carrier returning to Canada. If you can return by private vehicle from the United States, you only need to show your PR status documents and passport at the land border.

If you are inside Canada and need to fly back: Apply for an urgent PR card replacement (if you qualify) or delay the trip until the card arrives.

If you are already outside Canada when the card is lost: Apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) at the nearest Canadian visa office. The PRTD lets you board a flight back to Canada one time. Once you are home, apply for the PR card replacement. The PRTD application is at canada.ca.

The PRTD costs $50 and is separate from the PR card replacement fee.

Can I Get Urgent Processing for a Lost PR Card Replacement?

Short answer: Urgent processing is available within three months for death or illness in the family, urgent work travel, or urgent medical reasons, submit the full IMM 5444 package with a typed letter and supporting documents (death certificate, doctor note, employer letter, flight reservation); no extra fee.

If you can prove urgent travel within three months for one of the qualifying reasons (death or illness in the family, urgent work travel, urgent medical reason), you can request urgent processing. IRCC's urgent PR card processing page lists the current qualifying reasons. Submit:

• The complete IMM 5444 package
• A typed letter explaining why you need urgent processing
• Supporting documents (death certificate, doctor's note, employer letter, flight reservation)

There is no extra fee. IRCC reviews and decides whether to expedite.

What Are the Most Common Questions About Replacing a Lost PR Card?

The most frequent concerns fall into a few categories: whether losing the card affects your status, how long the replacement takes, what to do from outside Canada, and whether the application fee is refundable. Each question below is answered based on current IRCC policy.

Does losing my PR card affect my status? No. You remain a permanent resident. The card is proof of status, not the status itself.

How long until my replacement card arrives? Standard processing is 30 to 95 days. Urgent replacements take 30 days or less when approved.

Can I apply for a replacement from outside Canada? No. Replacements must be mailed to a Canadian address. If you are abroad, apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document instead.

Do I need to file a police report for a lost card? Only if it was stolen. Lost or destroyed cards do not require a police report.

Can I use my expired PR card to enter Canada? No. Boarding a commercial carrier requires a valid card or a PRTD. Land entry from the United States is possible without a card if you can prove your status another way.

Will I be charged a fee if my application is refused? The $50 fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused or returned for incompleteness.

Sources

The following are official Government of Canada sources used in this article. Each was verified as current as of May 2026. IRCC updates its forms, fees, and mailing instructions periodically. Confirm the current version of any form, particularly IMM 5444 and IMM 5451, at canada.ca before submitting your application to avoid delays from outdated documents.

• IRCC, Renew or replace your permanent resident card
• IRCC, Application for a Permanent Resident Card (IMM 5444)
• IRCC, Solemn Declaration Concerning a Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Never Received PR Card (IMM 5451)
• IRCC, Apply for a permanent resident travel document
• IRCC, Get a permanent resident card faster (urgent processing)
• IRCC, Check application processing times

What Are the Next Steps After Replacing Your PR Card?

Once you have the replacement, plan ahead to keep your status documentation current. Set a calendar reminder for six months before the new card expires so you have time to renew without disrupting travel plans. Most permanent residents receive a card valid for five years. Check the expiry date printed on your new card, as some cards issued at landing may have a shorter validity period.

For full information on PR card maintenance, see the PR card renewal pillar page. To have an RCIC review your replacement application before you mail it, book a consultation.

Last updated 2026-05-10. Forms and fees verified against IRCC's published documents on the date listed. Always confirm the current process at canada.ca before submitting.