Effective December 23, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET, the Government of Canada has officially ended the practice of “flagpoling” for obtaining work and study permits at ports of entry.
What Is Flagpoling?
Flagpoling refers to the practice where foreign nationals temporarily exit Canada—often by visiting the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon—and then re-enter to access immigration services at a Canadian port of entry. This method allowed individuals to obtain or renew work and study permits more quickly than applying through standard in-country processes.
Reason For Being Discontinued?
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported processing over 69,300 flagpoling cases between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, predominantly in the Pacific, Southern Ontario, and Quebec regions. This high volume consumed significant resources and diverted border officers from essential enforcement duties, contributing to increased wait times for cross-border travelers.
Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, stated, “This change will enable us to further streamline activities at our ports of entry and allow Canadian and American border officers to focus on what they have been expertly trained to do—border enforcement.”
Implications for Applicants
With the termination of flagpoling, individuals already in Canada must now submit applications and renewals for work or study permits through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Online applications are expected to experience longer processing times, potentially up to 6 months.
