The permanent resident (PR) card

Your PR card can be used to show that you have permanent resident status in Canada. If you travel outside Canada, you will need to show your card and your passport when you come back on a commercial vehicle, like an airplane, boat, train or bus.

PRs traveling outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card, or who are not carrying it, need to apply for a permanent resident travel document before returning to Canada by commercial vehicle.

What permanent residents can do?

As a permanent resident, you have the right to:

• get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage
• live, work or study anywhere in Canada
• apply for Canadian citizenship
• protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

You must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

What permanent residents cannot do?

You are not allowed to:

• vote or run for political office
• hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance