lost work permit - please help!

[bambie92]

I have been in Canada for 3 weeks now and spent the first 2 finding my feet, having an explore and sorting my housing. I also got my Social Insurance Number and card during this time.
Anyway, long story short, I can't find my work permit anywhere. I'm so sure I put it in a drawer with my passport and other documents but I have literally looked everywhere and have come to the conclusion that I must have thrown it out. It's very unlike me to lose anything so I am so frustrated with myself.
I have sent off all the papers to get a copy of the permit but have just seen on the CIC website that it will take 4 months for it to come through. My question is, will I be able to get a job using just my Social Insurance Number and stamped passport, or do I need to show employers my work permit? If so, it'll be a very disappointing journey back to England because I simply can't afford to not work for 4 months while I wait for this permit.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I have been in Canada for 3 weeks now and spent the first 2 finding my feet, having an explore and sorting my housing. I also got my Social Insurance Number and card during this time.
Anyway, long story short, I can't find my work permit anywhere. I'm so sure I put it in a drawer with my passport and other documents but I have literally looked everywhere and have come to the conclusion that I must have thrown it out. It's very unlike me to lose anything so I am so frustrated with myself.
I have sent off all the papers to get a copy of the permit but have just seen on the CIC website that it will take 4 months for it to come through. My question is, will I be able to get a job using just my Social Insurance Number and stamped passport, or do I need to show employers my work permit? If so, it'll be a very disappointing journey back to England because I simply can't afford to not work for 4 months while I wait for this permit.
Thanks in advance for any help.

1. If you apply for a job and the employers see the 900 SIN they are supposed to ask to see the work permit.
2. You could go to the nearest Border Crossing and beg beg the CBSA officer to see if they will print off another copy of the work permit for you. They may take pity.

 

[bambie92]

Thanks for your reply. I will go and try the begging thing now. I'm only 20 so hopefully someone will take pity on me! It seems ridiculous that it takes 4 months for them to print another one, but then again it was stupid of me to lose it in the first place.
Would the nearest Border Crossing be the airport?

 

[scylla]

Would the nearest Border Crossing be the airport?

No - you need to go to a land border.

 

[bambie92]

Okay!
I'm in Vancouver so Seattle would definitely be the best option for me there.
I'm probably being really stupid, but what exactly would I do? Will they definitely let me back in?
Thanks again!

 

[SenoritaBella]

You've only lost a document not your status(lol) and they should be able to see from the database that you were issued a work permit. I don't see why they would deny you entry. You would just have to beg the border agent and also take with you proof that you have requested a print out but that it takes 4 months. In the future, you should make copies of such documents and keep the originals somewhere safe.

 

[bambie92]

Thank you all so much for your help. I am usually (almost obsessively) careful with documents and things, but I've just been a bit flustered since arriving and as it's only a piece of paper I think I must have thrown it out. Still very silly of me.
I will head down to Seattle on Monday and beg the custom's officer there so finger's crossed that I end up with a compassionate one! I will report back with how things go as it may be useful to any future permit-losers

 

[bambie92]

Hello! ;D
It worked! I took all the documents I needed for my first work permit - passport, proof of insurance, letter of acceptance etc, and explained my situation. It cost $30 (the same as it would have cost to get a copy that would have taken 4 months to arrive) and they didn't question it at all, just printed me off a new one.
Thank you to everyone for the help and hopefully it will save any slightly ditsy workers a bit of stress in the future!

 

[avinash.s.tomar12]

Hi Everyone,
I am a Indian citizen here in Canada. I was on student permit and on 21st of January 2015 my work permit was approved but I do not have the actual document with me now - lost it.

As it is clear that this going to border thing works for getting the work-permit back. I wanted to know that do I need to cross the border to do so because my Canadian Visa has been expired and I do not have a US visa.

Or to be clear actually my question is can I enter the immigration section at the Canada US border without having Canadian or US visa just to get the work permit replaced.

Please help I am in a rush.

 

[AmandaHarro]

Hi there. I'm in the same position right now. So they gave you a copy of your work permit on the spot? WEre you able to fly with this permit? Or did you still have to get a replacement one? I'm so stressed!

 

[Mordor]

Hi there...I arrived in Canada on a spouse open work permit in July 2016 and within a month of my arrival someone stole my passport and work permit. Through the Indian Consulate in Toronto I have received a new passport and have also applied to CIC for a replacement of my work permit. Its been 4 months and I still have not received my work permit as its in Que for processing by them. I don't have a US visa and nor do I have the Canadian visa stamp on my new passport.

Can anyone guide if I can approach the Airport authorities to obtain a duplicate copy of my work permit.

Thanks

 

[Mr Anderson]

Hi,

Is it possible to do this at the immigration agency at the airport? It's going to be a big drive if I have to go all the way to the border

 

[Mordor]

I went to the airport authorities however they cannot issue a duplicate copy of the work permit. It has to be issued by CIC again since that is the procedure. I recently received the duplicate copy of my work permit from CIC after a wait of 4 months.

Hope this helps you.

All the best!

 

[JaiswalNK]

Hi ,
I have lost my work-permit, however I have scan copy of same .I have all other supporting documents , Passport, Visa stamped on passport etc. currently I am outside Canada , can I enter into Canada / Toronto precisely with Photo Copy of WorkPermit . Request urgent advise/suggestion on this matter.

 

[Jhongpogs]

Hello my work permit was lost..and I already sent the passport request for my permanent residence...can I take the xerox only of my work permit when I will have to cross the border for my permanent residence confirmation??