Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced that foreign nationals can no longer secure a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) at the U.S.-Canada border, effectively ending the practice known as “flagpoling.”
This tactic, known as ‘flagpoling ‘, allowed temporary residents to momentarily exit and re-enter Canada at the U.S.-Canada border to avoid waiting for online permit approvals.
Key Points:
1. End of Flagpoling for Work and Study Permits: As Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced, foreign nationals can no longer apply for work or study permits at U.S.-Canada border crossings to bypass delays in online applications.
2. IRCC’s Measures to Improve Domestic Processing: To encourage in-country permit applications, IRCC has streamlined online application processes, reduced processing times for in-Canada work permit applications, and allowed workers to begin new employment immediately without waiting for new work permit approvals.
3. Limited Services at Specific Checkpoints: Flagpoling services are now limited at 12 major Canada-U.S. border checkpoints, with IRCC and CBSA recommending online services to avoid long wait times and potential delays.
4. Resource Allocation and Border Security: The decision redirects resources from processing “flagpoles” to prioritizing border officers’ safety, security, and economic well-being tasks.
5. Impact on Border Crossings: The policy change follows concerns raised by U.S. officials about the disruptions flagpole causes at border crossings, affecting tourism, trade, and traffic flow.
Miller emphasized that processing “flagpoles” diverts essential resources from border officers, whose primary responsibilities include safeguarding both nations’ safety, security, and economic well-being.
To manage the influx of travellers during peak times and prioritize high-risk travellers and trade facilitation, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reduced flagpole hours at 12 major entry points.
This move encourages temporary residents to apply for work permits within Canada. The process involves submitting an online application, which has been streamlined to make it more user-friendly and efficient.
The new measures also aim to expedite the processing of domestic applications, reducing the waiting time for foreign nationals.
Recent enhancements include streamlining online application processes and allowing workers to begin employment with new employers immediately, without waiting for the new work permit to be processed.
These changes are designed to make the application process more efficient and less time-consuming for foreign nationals.
“The ability for workers to begin new employment immediately without waiting for new work permits to be processed is a positive change,” said Charanjit Kaur, an immigration consultant from Iconic Immigration.
According to IRCC, between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024, PGWP applicants constituted about one-fifth of the foreign nationals attempting to flagpole.
“While we recognize the contributions of international graduates to Canada’s labor market, ‘flagpoling’ is unnecessary. Processing these applications takes officers away from their crucial roles in protecting the safety and prosperity of Canadians and Americans.
This measure will help maintain the integrity of our immigration system,” said Miller. Understanding the rationale behind this change is essential to better navigating the new system.
Aarmin Monga from Trace Immigration emphasized the importance of immigration consultants in managing their clients’ expectations regarding processing times and the feasibility of flagpoling.
This involves setting realistic timelines and providing alternative strategies for obtaining permits without relying on border crossings.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc added, “Flagpoling places an undue burden on our border services officers. This change focuses on maintaining the integrity of our shared border with the United States.”
Other measures to address flagpole include:
– Accelerating processing times for in-Canada work permit applications.
– Simplifying online application forms and processes so foreign nationals can continue working while waiting for a decision on their new application.
– Allow workers to start working for a new employer immediately without waiting for their new work permit application to be processed.
The announcement follows U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer’s call for Canada to curb ‘flagpoling ‘, which he said disrupts tourism and trade.
Schumer highlighted that ‘flagpoling’ causes significant delays at border crossings like Rainbow Bridge and Peace Bridge, impeding traffic flow and frustrating travellers.
In January 2024 alone, nearly 2,000 Canadians engaged in flagpole at Western New York bridges, with significant numbers at Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, and Lewiston Bridge.
Border officials fear 2024 could see the highest flagpole rates yet, with 12,000 claims processed already this year and nearly 25,000 in 2023.
According to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), flagpoles have surged annually since 2021, with 32,410 people flagpoles by June 2, 2024. In 2023, 61,561 flagpoled, a 90% increase from 2022.
– Armstrong, Quebec
– Fort Erie (Peace Bridge), Ontario
– Saint Armand/Philipsburg, Quebec
– Saint Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec
– Stanstead Route 55, Quebec
– Aldergrove, Pacific Region
– Douglas, Pacific Region
– Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge, Ontario
– Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Ontario
– Pacific Highway, Pacific Region
– Boundary Bay, Pacific Region
– Abbotsford-Huntingdon, Pacific Region
The CBSA advises that while flagpole remains an alternative to online immigration services, those opting for it may face long lineups and may not access services before the end of service hours.
“We highly recommend you use IRCC’s online services,” the CBSA stated on its official website.
