Canada Ends Flagpoling for Work and Study Permit: The Government of Canada has officially banned the flagpoling Process to renew the temporary residentship in the country. The Canada border service agency Has informed about the new decision by the government of Canada on the official website. Now individuals who are working or studying in Canada with a work permit for study permit have to renew their permit with the normal procedure. However few categories will still get relaxation in this program.
What’s changing?
Starting December 23, 11:59 PM ET, foreign nationals in Canada who want to renew their temporary resident status must apply through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Previously, some individuals used a process called “flagpoling,” which involved briefly leaving and re-entering Canada to get faster processing at the border.
Why is this happening?
The Canadian government wants to streamline operations at border checkpoints and improve enforcement. Flagpoling was often used to avoid long wait times for work and study permits. By removing this option, authorities aim to make border services more efficient and focused on their main job—enforcing border rules.
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Limited Exemptions
While the majority of applicants must follow the updated process, certain individuals may still qualify for border permit processing under specific exemptions, such as:
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
- Professionals and technicians covered under trade agreements with countries like the U.S., Mexico, Chile, Panama, and South Korea.
- Spouses or partners of professionals under certain trade agreements.
- International truck drivers with valid work permits required to leave Canada for employment purposes.
- Individuals with pre-scheduled CBSA appointments for permit processing.
Government Statements
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty emphasized the benefits of this change, stating, “This will streamline activities at our ports of entry, allowing border officers to focus on border enforcement.” Similarly, Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted that the move will reduce border congestion, improve fairness for applicants, and enhance border security.
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Who Will Be Affected
The following individuals will be affected by this announcement by the Canada government where they need to renew their permit by following the regular procedure instead of flagpoling.
- Foreign Nationals in Canada: Temporary residents, including those on work or study permits, who previously relied on flagpoling to renew or extend their permits, will now have to go through IRCC.
- Applicants in Certain Regions: Flagpoling was most common in the Pacific, Southern Ontario, and Quebec regions. Applicants from these areas may feel the impact more as they lose access to this option.
- Students and Workers Without Exemptions: International students and workers who don’t fall under the exemptions must adhere to the new process and cannot use the border for permit renewals or extensions.
Impact on Applicants
No More Quick Processing at the Border: Previously, individuals could leave Canada and re-enter at a port of entry to expedite the processing of work or study permits. This option is no longer available, which means applicants will need to submit their applications through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The processing times may now increase for some applicants as they depend on the standard IRCC system, which can take longer than the flagpoling method.
Potential Delays: Without the flagpoling option, applicants who relied on it to bypass long processing queues will now need to plan their applications more carefully to avoid delays.
Applicants may face challenges if they are close to the expiration of their current permits.
While this change will help border officials focus on enforcement tasks, it may create additional administrative work for IRCC, potentially impacting the speed of approvals.
What is Flagpoling
Flagpoling is a process used by temporary residents in Canada, like international students or workers, to quickly renew or update their immigration status. It involves briefly leaving Canada, usually by crossing into the U.S. or nearby territories, and then immediately re-entering at a Canadian border point to access immigration services.
Many people used this method to avoid the longer processing times of submitting applications through regular immigration channels. However, the Canadian government has now ended this practice to streamline border operations and ensure officers focus on enforcing border rules.
