Canada Sets New Rules for Permanent Resident Card Eligibility

The Canadian government has published the eligibility requirements for obtaining a permanent resident (PR) card, detailing three categories of individuals who qualify to apply in 2026. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, applicants must meet three conditions: they must hold valid permanent residence status in Canada, be physically present in Canada at the time of application, and not have lost their permanent residence status through disqualifying circumstances.

The third condition specifies three situations that result in the loss of PR status: individuals issued a removal order, those who have become Canadian citizens, and those who have failed to meet the residence requirement, which mandates a minimum amount of time a permanent resident must reside in Canada to maintain their status. It is clarified that holding a PR card does not guarantee that a person's status is valid, as status can be lost independently of card issuance.