Hey everyone,

I hold a valid open work permit and visa. I just arrived in egypt and I realized I packed the old work permit, so right now I have my passport with the valid work visa in it. I also have a scanned copy of the work permit.

Will I be able to get into Canada without showing my work permit (or by showing them a photocopy of it)?

Thanks

At the port of entry, the minimum requirement for admissibility for a non-Canadian is a valid entry visa or evidence of exemption from such; in addition, the officer must be satisfied that the reason for admission is valid and that the candidate is a genuine temporary resident. You appear to have your entry visa; your work permit attests to the reason for your admission.

I have seen a case in which an official insisted on seeing a candidate's original work permit and would not grant admission when that could not be produced. However, I believe that a reasonable officer may be able to admit you on the basis of a copy and the entry visa.

Thanks Dave. I just got back in Canada and you were exactly right in what you said.

I walked up to the customs officer calmly and confidently. When asked to present my work permit, I showed her the photocopy and explained to her (rather apologetically) my mistake in packing the wrong work permit.

She gave me a worrying look, so I quickly showed her a letter from my employer which I had handy (as well as the wrongly-packed expired co-op work permit), then apologized again for not having the original.

Sure enough, she said I needed to have my original permit next time but that she would let me in this time.

Like you implied, Dave, it was all about being honest and confident in your demeanour so as to prove the officer that you are, in fact, a resident.

Some of these officers are real jerks (it's part of the job), but if you talk to them straight, they won't give you a hard time.

Anyways, just wanted to follow up on this in case someone has a similar problem in the future and is curious how to handle it.

Thanks for the follow-up. This could be helpful to others.