Canada's Permanent Resident Card

A New Permanent Resident Card:
A more secure and durable proof of residency card for permanent residents (landed immigrants) living in Canda is one feature of Canada's new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This tamper-resistant card replaces the paper document (IMM 1000) for travel purposes.

Who will need the new Permanent Resident Card:
"Permanent residents" are people who have applied and been accepted to live in Canada. Permanent residents travelling outside of Canada as of December 31, 2003, will need this card to re-enter Canada. Canadian citizens do not need a Permanent Resident Card, and will not be issued this card.

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Becoming Canadian:
Permanent residents who can become Canadian citizens are encouraged to apply for their citizenship.

When to Apply for Your Permanent Resident Card:
Applications are now available. They will be proc essed based on the year you became a permanent resident of Canada. Check the chart below to see in which month you should apply. For example, if your year of landing as a permanent resident was 1998, you should submit your application in May 2003. There is no need to apply earlier.

YEAR OF LANDING	WHEN TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
2002	October 15 to November 30, 2002
2001	December to February 2003
2000	March & April 2003
1996 - 1999	May 2003
1992 - 1995	June 2003
1988 - 1991	July 2003
1980 - 1987	August 2003
1973 - 1979	September 2003
Before 1973	ANYTIME after October 2002

For information or application kits, call:

1 800 255-4541
(TTY/TDD: 1 888 576-8502)

Or visit the website: www.cic.gc.ca