Canada ends flagpoling for work and study permits. What it means? - Times of India

Canada ends flagpoling for work and study permits. What it means? – Times of India

Posted by Admin December 25, 2024 Jobs

Canada has officially ended the practice of flagpoling for work and study permits at its ports of entry.
Effective from December 23 at 11.59 pm ET, foreign nationals holding temporary resident status in Canada must submit renewal applications through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) instead of re-entering Canada after briefly leaving for expedited immigration services, according to a statement by the Canada Border Services Agency.
Flagpoling has long been used by temporary residents to bypass typical processing wait times for work and study permits. However, Canadian authorities now aim to streamline port operations and enhance border enforcement.
“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,” public safety minister David McGuinty said in a statement, as reported by CBC News.
Reasons behind ban
Flagpoling has placed a significant burden on Canadian and American border services. Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, the CBSA processed over 69,300 flagpolers, primarily in regions like the Pacific, southern Ontario, and Quebec, according to CIC News.
The CBSA emphasised that border services are intended for individuals entering Canada rather than those already in the country. Diverting resources for flagpolers has added congestion and hindered critical border enforcement activities.
“A strong Canada-US relationship keeps people and goods moving safely while protecting both sides of the border,” immigration minister Marc Miller said, adding that the policy shift would enhance fairness, ease border congestion, and improve overall border efficiency.
Limited exemptions
Certain groups will still qualify for port-of-entry processing under specific circumstances:

Citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with countries such as the United States, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia, and South Korea.
Spouses or common-law partners of professionals under these agreements.
International truck drivers leaving Canada for work who held maintained status due to a timely renewal application.
Individuals with pre-existing CBSA appointments for permit processing.

Those who attempt to flagpole without meeting these criteria will be redirected to IRCC for their applications.
The policy is likely part of a broader initiative to bolster Canada-US border security. The Liberal government’s fall economic update allocated $1.3 billion over six years for measures like drones, helicopters, and improved monitoring of the shared border. The changes also come amid concerns over potential US tariffs.
Flagpoling, once a viable option for expediting permits, is now phased out to prioritize border security and efficient management. Applicants are being urged to use IRCC’s online services for work or study permit renewals moving forward.