Anyone know if a work permit is a valid travel doc while waiting for PR card??

[dfb]

I have been living in Canada on a valid work permit for 5 years.  My current permit expires in December 2010.  I have my PR visa and am planning to land in early November, at the conclusion of the next trip I have planned to the US.  I then have another trip planned to the US 2 weeks later, at which time I expect I will not yet have my PR card.  Does anyone know if I will have trouble coming back to Canada at the conclusion of that second trip.  I am American and will be flying for both trips. 

If the work permit won't do the trick, how do I go about getting a travel document.  My second trip is to a small town in PA for the Thanksgiving holiday (i.e., even if I was near a consulate, nothing would be open that weekend).

Thanks

[diddagirl]

Hey dfb,

Do you have your American passport? If so, you will be fine to enter with what you have...

[dfb]

Yes - I have a US passport.  That's what I would expect, but I have seen some posts here and on other sites that have led me to think there could be a problem...

Thanks

[diddagirl]

No, as long as you have your US passport you will be fine... and the work permit will do the trick!

[rjessome]

diddagirl is right.  Because you are from a visa exempt country, you don't require a travel document.

However, people from non-visa exempt countries DO need visas to enter Canada if they leave even if they have a valid work permit.  A work permit is NOT a travel document.

Just wanted to clarify that before someone says they relied on this to be able to leave and re-enter Canada thinking the work permit will suffice as a travel document.

[diddagirl]

diddagirl is right.  Because you are from a visa exempt country, you don't require a travel document.

However, people from non-visa exempt countries DO need visas to enter Canada if they leave even if they have a valid work permit.  A work permit is NOT a travel document.

Just wanted to clarify that before someone says they relied on this to be able to leave and re-enter Canada thinking the work permit will suffice as a travel document.

Exactly! ;)

[bfraken]

dfb,

diddagirl is right BUT there's still a chance with you being denied entry into Canada with a passport alone. My wife had a work permit while going through PR and there was no problem with her getting back into Canada after a trip back to the UK. It's not needed but if you have a work permit it gives you reason to be here not just to visit and the IO's won't wonder if you're going to leave or not after the 6 months are up.

[rjessome]

dfb,

diddagirl is right BUT there's still a chance with you being denied entry into Canada with a passport alone. My wife had a work permit while going through PR and there was no problem with her getting back into Canada after a trip back to the UK. It's not needed but if you have a work permit it gives you reason to be here not just to visit and the IO's won't wonder if you're going to leave or not after the 6 months are up.

Yes, as diddagirl said above, the WP with make it easier to re-enter with the passport from a visa exempt country.  Everyone needs to show a reason they are here even if it's just a holiday.  The WP will smooth the way.

[Karlshammar]

If you are flying into Canada as a PR you must have your PR card or the document from the embassy/consulate.