Border Crossing Update: Canada Implements Changes to Combat “Flagpoling” Practice
Ottawa, June 21, 2024 – Ensuring a smooth flow of goods and people across the Canada-United States border is not only crucial for the economy but also for the strong personal connections between Canadians and Americans. To streamline this process without compromising immigration integrity, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced a significant change for foreign nationals.
Effective immediately, foreign nationals will no longer be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border. This decision aims to tackle the issue of “flagpoling,” where individuals exploit the system by leaving and immediately re-entering the country to circumvent regular permit application procedures and receive expedited services.
Flagpoling not only consumes valuable border resources but also causes delays for travelers and hampers the efficient movement of goods. Recent data shows that from March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, a substantial number of foreign nationals sought to flagpole, particularly for PGWP applications.
The Canadian government is urging applicants to apply within the country to streamline processing times. By centralizing and modernizing application procedures, the goal is to enhance fairness and efficiency in the immigration process. Minister Miller emphasized the focus on reducing flagpoling to ensure the smooth operation of the shared border with the US.
Minister Miller stated, “While we value the contributions of international graduates, flagpoling is an unnecessary practice that diverts resources from essential duties. This new measure will prevent abuse of the system while upholding immigration system integrity.”
Supporting this stance, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, emphasized the need to alleviate the burden on border officers and safeguard the shared border’s integrity.
To further streamline operations, flagpoling hours at 12 ports of entry in Canada have been adjusted to prioritize essential tasks and enhance efficiency during peak travel periods. Other measures are also being implemented to combat flagpoling and ensure a secure and efficient border crossing experience for all travelers.
For media inquiries:
Aïssa Diop Director of Communications Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada aissa.diop@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 613-952-1650 media@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency
Ottawa, June 21, 2024 – Ensuring a smooth flow of goods and people across the Canada-United States border is not only crucial for the economy but also for the strong personal connections between Canadians and Americans. To streamline this process without compromising immigration integrity, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced a significant change for foreign nationals.
Effective immediately, foreign nationals will no longer be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border. This decision aims to tackle the issue of “flagpoling,” where individuals exploit the system by leaving and immediately re-entering the country to circumvent regular permit application procedures and receive expedited services.
Flagpoling not only consumes valuable border resources but also causes delays for travelers and hampers the efficient movement of goods. Recent data shows that from March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, a substantial number of foreign nationals sought to flagpole, particularly for PGWP applications.
The Canadian government is urging applicants to apply within the country to streamline processing times. By centralizing and modernizing application procedures, the goal is to enhance fairness and efficiency in the immigration process. Minister Miller emphasized the focus on reducing flagpoling to ensure the smooth operation of the shared border with the US.
Minister Miller stated, “While we value the contributions of international graduates, flagpoling is an unnecessary practice that diverts resources from essential duties. This new measure will prevent abuse of the system while upholding immigration system integrity.”
Supporting this stance, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, emphasized the need to alleviate the burden on border officers and safeguard the shared border’s integrity.
To further streamline operations, flagpoling hours at 12 ports of entry in Canada have been adjusted to prioritize essential tasks and enhance efficiency during peak travel periods. Other measures are also being implemented to combat flagpoling and ensure a secure and efficient border crossing experience for all travelers.
For media inquiries:
Aïssa Diop Director of Communications Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada aissa.diop@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 613-952-1650 media@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency
