Sometimes you need to return to Canada within days, not weeks. IRCC offers urgent processing with a Permanent Resident Travel Document for emergency situations, though it's not guaranteed.
Valid Reasons for Urgent Processing
IRCC recognizes the following as legitimate emergency situations:
Medical Emergencies:
- Serious illness or hospitalization of yourself
- Serious illness or hospitalization of an immediate family member in Canada (spouse, parent, child, sibling)
- Medical procedures or treatments scheduled in Canada that cannot be delayed
Death of Immediate Family Member:
- Death of spouse, parent, child, or sibling in Canada
- Need to attend funeral or handle estate matters
Critical Personal Matters:
- Court appearances that cannot be postponed
- Urgent work situations where your physical presence is mandatory
- PR card stolen immediately before scheduled travel
Expanded Criteria for Urgency
IRCC categorizes urgency into "Critical" and "Administrative" needs. You must provide evidence for one of the following:
1. Medical & Family Emergencies
- Immediate Family: Spouse, common-law partner, parent, child, or sibling.
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Evidence Required:
- Medical: A signed letter from the treating physician in Canada or abroad, detailing the life-threatening nature of the condition and the necessity of your presence.
- Death: A death certificate, notification of death, or a letter from a funeral home.
2. Mandatory Legal & Professional Obligations
- Court Summons: Mandatory appearance for legal proceedings that cannot be adjourned.
- Economic Impact: Urgent business travel or a new, time-sensitive job offer in Canada.
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Evidence Required:
- Legal: Official court documents or summons clearly stating the date.
- Employment: An employer letter on official letterhead stating that your physical presence is required and the business will suffer significant loss without your return.
3. Crisis & Vulnerability
- Theft: If your PR card was stolen while abroad.
- Safety: Situations involving local conflict, natural disasters, or personal safety risks that require immediate evacuation to Canada.
- Evidence Required: Police report for theft; local news or embassy advisories for crisis situations.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply Urgently
The most efficient way to apply in 2026 is via the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal.
Step 1: Gather Specific Evidence
You must upload a "Proof of Urgency" package including:
- Confirmed Flight Itinerary: Showing travel within the next 5 days.
- Paid Receipt: Proof of payment for the ticket (not just a reservation).
- The "Why" Letter: A personal letter explaining the emergency.
Step 2: The Online Portal Checkbox
When starting your application in the portal, look for the question: "Is your request urgent?"
- Select "Yes".
- This triggers a specific field for you to upload your proof of travel and urgency letter.
Step 3: Passport Submission
Once the PRTD is approved in principle, you will receive an email instructing you to submit your physical passport to the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC).
- Many VACs offer Premium Courier Services to return your passport within 24–48 hours after the counterfoil is printed.
Pro-Tip: Entering via a Land Border
If you are currently in the United States and cannot wait for a PRTD, you can travel to a Canadian land border in a private vehicle.
- You do not need a PRTD to enter by land in your own car.
- You can present your COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) or a Record of Landing (IMM 1000) to the CBSA officer.
- This does not work for commercial carriers (buses, trains, or planes).
Realistic Expectations
Urgent processing means IRCC will prioritize your application, but it does not guarantee approval within a specific timeframe. Processing can still take several days to two weeks for complex cases.
Important: Don't mark every application as urgent without legitimate grounds. Officers recognize false emergency claims, which can harm your credibility and may lead to refusal.
