The Government of Canada has announced changes under Canada’s Border Plan that will end the practice of issuing work and study permits to flagpolers at ports of entry, effective December 23 at 11:59 pm ET.
Flagpoling refers to the process where temporary residents in Canada briefly exit the country—typically to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon—and then re-enter to access immigration services at the border. This practice has placed a significant burden on border resources, diverting Canadian and U.S. officers from critical enforcement tasks and contributing to increased wait times for cross-border travelers.
Immigration services at the border are intended for individuals entering Canada, not for those already residing within the country. Applications and renewals for work or study permits must now be submitted through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Only individuals who qualify for limited exemptions will be processed at ports of entry.
These changes are designed to enhance the management of border operations, streamline resources, and uphold the integrity of the Canada-U.S. shared border.
“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.”
– The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety
“A strong Canada-U.S. relationship keeps people and goods moving safely while protecting both sides of the border. Flagpoling is unnecessary and diverts resources from critical enforcement activities. This change will ease border congestion, improve fairness for applicants, and enhance the efficiency and security of our borders.”
– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Key Highlights
Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, the CBSA processed over 69,300 flagpoling requests across Canada, with the majority occurring in the Pacific, Southern Ontario, and Quebec regions.
While work and study permits will no longer be issued to flagpolers at ports of entry, certain exemptions apply in limited circumstances. These include:
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
- Professionals and technicians covered 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 and technicians under free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.
- International truck drivers holding work permits who are required to leave Canada for employment purposes, provided they maintained their status through a renewal application before departure.
- Individuals with pre-existing appointments scheduled with the CBSA for permit processing.
These exemptions ensure flexibility for specific cases while maintaining the integrity of the new policy.
