Headline: New Measures Announced to Combat “Flagpoling” at Canada-US Border
In the bustling world of cross-border trade and travel, maintaining a smooth, secure flow of goods and people between Canada and the United States is key to the success of both nations. Recognizing the importance of this relationship, the Government of Canada has taken a decisive step to crack down on a practice known as “flagpoling” that has been causing delays and inefficiencies at the border.
Effective immediately, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, has announced that foreign nationals can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border. The move aims to tackle flagpoling, where temporary residents bypass normal application processes by leaving and quickly re-entering the country to expedite their permits.
Flagpoling has been a drain on border resources, diverting officers from critical enforcement duties and causing delays for legitimate travellers and trade activities. Recent data shows that nearly a fifth of foreign nationals attempting to flagpole were PGWP applicants between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024.
Minister Miller emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the immigration system while also streamlining processes for applicants. By encouraging individuals to apply within Canada, the government aims to reduce flagpoling and enhance fairness among all applicants.
The move has garnered support from the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, who highlighted the burden flagpoling places on border services officers and the need to uphold border integrity.
To support these changes, flagpoling hours have been reduced at 12 ports of entry across Canada to facilitate smoother processing during peak travel periods. These efforts align with the government’s broader objective of modernizing and centralizing application processes to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens on border services.
As Canada and the US work towards a more coordinated approach to border management, these measures will help ensure a safer, more efficient border crossing experience for all, benefitting both nations.
In the bustling world of cross-border trade and travel, maintaining a smooth, secure flow of goods and people between Canada and the United States is key to the success of both nations. Recognizing the importance of this relationship, the Government of Canada has taken a decisive step to crack down on a practice known as “flagpoling” that has been causing delays and inefficiencies at the border.
Effective immediately, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, has announced that foreign nationals can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border. The move aims to tackle flagpoling, where temporary residents bypass normal application processes by leaving and quickly re-entering the country to expedite their permits.
Flagpoling has been a drain on border resources, diverting officers from critical enforcement duties and causing delays for legitimate travellers and trade activities. Recent data shows that nearly a fifth of foreign nationals attempting to flagpole were PGWP applicants between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024.
Minister Miller emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the immigration system while also streamlining processes for applicants. By encouraging individuals to apply within Canada, the government aims to reduce flagpoling and enhance fairness among all applicants.
The move has garnered support from the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, who highlighted the burden flagpoling places on border services officers and the need to uphold border integrity.
To support these changes, flagpoling hours have been reduced at 12 ports of entry across Canada to facilitate smoother processing during peak travel periods. These efforts align with the government’s broader objective of modernizing and centralizing application processes to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens on border services.
As Canada and the US work towards a more coordinated approach to border management, these measures will help ensure a safer, more efficient border crossing experience for all, benefitting both nations.
