The Government of Canada has announced that as part of Canada’s Border Plan, work and study permits will no longer be provided to flagpolers at a port of entry. The new flagpoling rule is effective December 23 at 11:59 pm ET.
Flagpoling occurs when foreign nationals who hold temporary resident status in Canada, leave Canada and, after a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, re-enter to access immigration services at a port of entry.
Immigration services at the border are meant for individuals arriving in Canada, not for those already in Canada. Applications and renewals for work or study permits need to be submitted through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Those who attempt to flagpole for a work and study permit will be told to submit their application to IRCC unless they meet limited exemptions.
Students who are temporary Canadian residents bypass online wait times for work or study permits by leaving the country and returning for the same-day immigration services. Flagpoling occurs when temporary residents of Canada bypass the normal wait times involved in applying for a work or study permit online by leaving the country and immediately re-entering to receive same-day immigration services.