Return to Canada for Permanent Residents

Residency Obligations

If you are a permanent resident of Canada, the document Residency Obligations for Permanent Residents provides information on retaining your permanent resident status.

Requirement for a Permanent Resident Cardor Travel Document to Return to Canada

All permanent residents who are outside of Canada must be in possession of a valid Permanent Resident Card to return to Canada.

Permanent Resident Cards can only be issued in Canada. You must be physically present in Canada to obtain your Permanent Resident Card.

If you do not have a valid Permanent Resident Card, or if you have not been physically present in Canada for two years (730 days) out of the last five years, you will need to obtain a Travel Document in order to return to Canada.

If you are a Permanent Resident who holds a passport which is exempt from the requirement to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa for Canada, you are still required to obtain a Permanent Resident Travel Document to return to Canada.

If your Permanent Resident Card has been lost or stolen in India or Nepal, your first step is to notify the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Chandigarh and file an FIR with the police. A copy of the police report must be submitted with your application for a Travel Document.

If your Card is still valid but will be expiring soon, you may use it to return to Canada before the expiry date.  Once you are in Canada, you may apply for a new Card. Your application for a Travel Document cannot be submitted until after your Card has expired.

Where to Apply for a Travel Document

You can apply for a Travel Document at any Canadian Visa Office. In India and Nepal, the Government of Canada uses the services of VFS Canada Visa Application Centres to ease the application process for Travel Documents for permanent residents.

Applicants can make their submission to an application centre in New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata or Kathmandu instead of standing in line at the High Commission in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Chandigarh.

VFS is responsible only for accepting applications and providing advice and guidance where necessary. All applications are assessed by visa officers at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi or at the Canadian Consulate General in Chandigarh.

Please note that processing times are the same, no matter where you apply.Your application will not be processed faster if you apply in person at a Visa Office. If you apply at an application centre, you can take advantage of convenient office hours and a service which notifies you as soon as your passport is ready to pick up.

Application Forms and Checklist of Required Documents

Click here to print the application forms and checklist of required documents from the section "Return to Canada for Permanent Residents". You are required to submit completed application and personal information forms; two (2) photographs; your original, valid passport and any expired passports, supporting documents as applicable (see the checklist) and the fee payment. Please ensure you provide a telephone number and e-mail address where you can be contacted in case any more information is required to process your application.

Processing Fees

Click here for current processing fees for Permanent Resident Travel Documents. You will need to obtain a demand draft or certified cheque to pay the fee. Cash payments are not accepted.

Processing Times

Click here for current processing times for Permanent Resident Travel Document applications. Processing cannot be expedited.Please plan ahead and apply well in advance of your anticipated date of travel.

Please Note:

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, it is not possible for you to "cancel" or voluntarily relinquish your permanent resident status.

If you wish to travel to Canada as a visitor and you previously held Permanent Resident status, in order to obtain a visa, you must first apply for a Travel Document to determine if you have indeed retained that status.

If a determination has been made that you have not retained that status, you can either proceed to appeal the decision, or relinquish the right to appeal. If you relinquish the right to appeal, a visa to visit Canada may be issued if all requirements are met.