A passport renewal does not normally require an applicant to start the same permanent residence application again. The applicant should renew the passport promptly, report the new document to IRCC and check whether the change affects their eTA, visa, temporary status or final PR instructions.

Does Passport Expiry Cancel a PR Application?

If the passport used for a permanent residence application expires while the application is being processed, the applicant does not ordinarily submit an entirely new PR application solely because a replacement passport was issued.

The priority is to renew the passport and provide IRCC with the new information. IRCC identifies a new passport as a change that must be reported. For Express Entry, IRCC recommends renewing a passport that will expire within six months of submitting the PR application and updating the application with the new passport details. Canada.ca

If renewal is impossible or substantially delayed, the applicant should inform IRCC and provide evidence of the steps taken. Whether alternative documentation or additional time will be accepted depends on the program and the applicant’s circumstances.

How Do You Report the New Passport?

Unless IRCC has provided different case-specific instructions, an applicant can use the IRCC web form to submit an unsolicited update.

The submission should generally include:

• the applicant’s full name and date of birth;
• UCI and application number;
• immigration program and application date;
• old passport number and expiry date;
• new passport number, issue date and expiry date;
• a brief explanation of the renewal; and
• a clear scan of the new passport’s biographical page.

IRCC specifically instructs applicants reporting a new passport to submit a scanned copy. Web-form updates may not appear in the online account, so applicants should retain the confirmation and a copy of everything submitted. Canada.ca

Updated passports for an accompanying spouse or child should also be reported. Any change to the spelling of a name, date of birth or other identity information should be clearly explained and supported.

A New Passport Does Not Extend Temporary Status

A passport, an entry document and a Canadian status document serve different purposes. Renewing a passport does not extend a work permit, study permit or visitor status.

Applicants in Canada should review the expiry date of their current immigration document separately and submit any required extension application on time. A pending PR application does not, by itself, create or extend temporary resident status.

Check Your eTA or Visa Before Travelling

An eTA is electronically linked to the passport used for the eTA application. It is valid for up to five years or until that passport expires, whichever occurs first. A traveller using a replacement passport will generally need a new eTA before flying to Canada. Canada.ca

Visa-required applicants should confirm whether a visa in the old passport can be used with the new passport or whether a new TRV is necessary. A PR application in process does not guarantee boarding or readmission to Canada.

What If IRCC Sends a Passport Request or Portal Email?

If the passport is renewed shortly before receiving a Passport Request, P1/P2 email or finalization instructions, the applicant should disclose the new passport before completing the next step.

Follow the instructions in the IRCC message, verify that the name and passport details are correct, and explain any web-form update already submitted. Do not send an expired passport without addressing the replacement passport.

Applicants finalizing PR from outside Canada must travel with the required valid passport and the documents issued by IRCC. Missing or inconsistent travel documents may prevent airline boarding or delay examination at the port of entry. Canada.ca

What If eCOPR Has Already Been Issued?

Once eCOPR has been issued and the person has become a permanent resident, later expiry of the foreign passport does not itself cancel PR status. However, international travel requires a valid passport and normally a valid PR card. A permanent resident outside Canada without a valid PR card may require a permanent resident travel document to return by commercial transportation.

FAQ

Q1. Will IRCC automatically refuse my PR application when my passport expires?
Passport expiry does not mean that an applicant should automatically file the same PR application again. However, the missing valid document may delay identity verification or finalization, so renewal and prompt reporting are important.

Q2. Can I replace the passport directly in my online account?
Many submitted applications cannot be edited directly. IRCC directs applicants to use the web form to report a new passport and upload a scanned copy unless different instructions were provided.

Q3. Why does the new passport not appear in my account?
IRCC states that unsolicited updates may not appear in the online account. Keep proof of submission and raise the update again if later instructions continue to show the old information.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information and is not legal or immigration advice for a specific case. Procedures may vary according to the program, country of residence, passport authority, immigration status and processing stage.