A Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and allows a Canadian permanent resident who is outside Canada to return if they do not have a valid PR card.
In 2025–2026, most PRTD refusals happen due to insufficient proof of residency, incorrect calculation of days spent in Canada, or weak humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) explanations when the residency requirement is not met.
To improve approval chances, applicants should submit a clear residency calculation along with strong supporting documents such as entry and exit stamps, CBSA travel history, tax records, and employment letters. If relying on H&C grounds, the explanation should clearly show ties to Canada, valid reasons for time spent outside the country, and the best interests of any affected children.
Top Reasons PRTD Applications Are Refused
Understanding common refusal reasons helps you avoid these pitfalls:
1. Incomplete Passport Documentation
The Problem: Applicants submit only their current passport or miss pages from previous passports used in the five-year period.
Why It Matters: Officers need to see all entry/exit stamps to verify your travel history. Missing stamps create gaps they cannot verify, leading to refusal.
The Solution: Submit clear copies of every page of every passport used in the past five years, even if pages are blank. If you've lost an old passport, provide a written explanation and alternative evidence of your whereabouts during that period.
2. Insufficient or Weak Residency Proof
The Problem: Applicants provide only one or two types of evidence (like just bank statements) instead of a comprehensive package.
Why It Matters: Officers need to verify you were actually in Canada, not just that you maintained a bank account here. Weak evidence creates doubts about whether you truly met the 730-day requirement.
The Solution: Provide multiple types of evidence covering the entire five-year period. Include tax documents, employment records, financial statements, utility bills, and travel records. Create a clear timeline with supporting documents.
3. Inconsistencies Between Stated Travel History and Passport Stamps
The Problem: The travel dates you claim don't match the entry/exit stamps in your passport.
Why It Matters: Inconsistencies suggest misrepresentation, which is grounds for refusal and can result in a five-year ban from Canada.
The Solution: Carefully calculate your days in Canada using actual passport stamps. If there are legitimate reasons for discrepancies (like unstamped border crossings), explain them clearly with supporting evidence.
4. Claiming Exceptions Without Adequate Proof
The Problem: Applicants state they qualify for an exception (like accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse) but don't provide sufficient documentation.
Why It Matters: Officers cannot approve exceptions based on claims alone. They need concrete proof.
The Solution: If relying on an exception, provide comprehensive documentation proving:
- The relationship exists (marriage certificate, joint documents)
- The person you accompanied is actually a Canadian citizen or qualifying PR
- You actually lived together abroad (shared addresses, joint accounts)
- Employment was genuine and met all requirements (for employment exceptions)
5. Insufficient H&C Evidence
The Problem: Applicants who haven't met the residency obligation provide weak or emotional H&C arguments without supporting documentation.
Why It Matters: H&C discretion requires compelling, documented reasons. Generic hardship claims don't meet the threshold.
The Solution: If relying on H&C grounds, provide extensive documentation supporting every claim. Focus on factors officers must consider (best interests of children, degree of establishment, reasons for absence).
If Your PRTD Is Refused: Understanding Your Options
Receiving a PRTD refusal is stressful, but you typically have options.
Understanding the Refusal Letter
Your refusal letter will explain:
- Why your application was refused
- Whether you have appeal rights
- Deadlines for filing an appeal
- Next steps you can take
Read this letter carefully. The specific reason for refusal determines your options.
Appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)
If your PRTD was refused because you failed to meet the residency obligation, you typically have the right to appeal to the IAD .
Appeal Deadline:
- Applications made outside Canada: 60 days from the date of the refusal decision
- Applications made within Canada: 30 days from the date of the refusal decision
Important: These deadlines are strict. Missing the deadline can result in loss of appeal rights.
What the IAD Considers:
- Whether the officer's decision was correct
- Humanitarian and compassionate factors
- Best interests of any affected children
- Your degree of establishment in Canada
- Reasons for failing to meet the residency obligation
Outcomes:
- Appeal allowed: Your PR status is retained, and you can apply for a new PRTD or PR card
- Appeal dismissed: Your PR status is lost, and you'll need to leave Canada or apply for a new immigration program if you want to return
Legal Representation: IAD appeals involve complex immigration law. Many people retain immigration lawyers for representation. While not required, legal help significantly improves success rates.
Alternative: Applying for New Immigration Status
If you lose your appeal or choose not to appeal, you can still:
- Apply through Express Entry if you qualify
- Seek sponsorship from a Canadian citizen spouse or family member
- Apply through Provincial Nominee Programs
- Explore other immigration pathways based on your qualifications
Losing PR status is disappointing, but it is not the end of your Canadian immigration journey.
Conclusion
A PRTD application is not a routine travel form—it is a legal assessment of permanent resident compliance. In 2025–2026, refusals are most often linked to weak residency documentation, incorrect day calculations, and poorly supported H&C submissions. The strongest applications present a clear residency timeline, complete passport records, and multiple forms of objective proof covering the entire five-year period. When residency requirements are not met, success depends on credible, well-documented humanitarian arguments, not assumptions or emotional statements. Proper preparation can make the difference between returning to Canada as a permanent resident or facing loss of status.
