Ban on flagpoling now in effect

As of December 23, 11:59 pm, the ban on flagpoling is now in effect.

Now temporary residents (those on a work or study permit) in Canada can no longer receive same-day immigration services at the border. These newcomers will need to apply directly to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to extend their stay in the country.

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Newcomers attempting to flagpole for a Canadian work or study permit will be turned away and told to submit their application directly to IRCC unless they are:

• Citizens or lawful Permanent Residents of the United States of America;
• Professionals and technicians arriving in Canada under free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States/Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia or South Korea;
• Spouses or common law partners of professionals and technicians under FTAs with Panama, Columbia or South Korea;
• International truck drivers who hold a work permit, and are required to depart Canada for the purpose of their employment, and who have held maintained status as a result of applying for renewal prior to departure; and
• Individuals who have a pre-existing appointment with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) for permit processing.

On December 17, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced in a televised speech that the immigration department intended to ban the practice of flagpoling “as soon as possible.”

IRCC and CBSA have cited the use of “significant resources” at the border as a key reason for this change—including the added burden put on Canadian and American border officials.

According to the CBSA, between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, they have processed over 69,300 flagpolers across Canada, mostly at ports of entry in the pacific, southern Ontario, and Quebec regions.

Minister Miller also emphasized the importance of Canada-U.S. relations and border security in making this change:

“A strong Canada-U.S. relationship keeps people and goods moving safely while protecting both sides of the border.... This change will ease border congestion, improve fairness for applicants, and enhance the efficiency and security of our borders.”

What is flagpoling?

Flagpoling is a process wherein newcomers could bypass the typical wait times for online work or study permit applications, by leaving Canada and re-entering immediately. This allowed newcomers to receive same-day immigration services at a port of entry.

Prior to today, flagpoling was a legal and viable option for newcomers seeking faster immigration services from the Canadian government.

Consult with an experienced immigration representative