Flagpoling, a common immigration practice where individuals holding temporary resident status in Canada leave the country to access immigration services upon re-entering, was officially ended as of December 23 at midnight. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) stated that work and study permits will no longer be provided to flagpolers at a port of entry. This decision was made to prevent the diversion of resources from important enforcement activities and to reduce wait times for cross-border travelers. Manan Gupta, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant, noted that flagpoling had become a popular trend, especially for individuals needing visas or extensions on short notice, such as those who received job offers with immediate start dates.
When flagpoling, individuals exit Canada, report to U.S. border officials, and declare their intention to return to Canada rather than remain in the United States. Upon reaching the Canadian point of entry, the CBSA would consider the person’s application for the immigration service they seek. The practice of flagpoling became a nuisance for U.S. authorities as it interrupted the flow of goods and people at the border. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Canadian government to end flagpoling earlier this year. Applicants turned to flagpoling as a last resort due to extensive wait times for visa processing in Canada, with processing times for work permits averaging 170 days and student permits taking nine weeks as of December 17.
Although flagpoling was not illegal, the lengthy wait times for visa processing in Canada pushed applicants to utilize this practice to expedite their immigration processes. Applicants attempting to flagpole for work or study permits at the Canada-U.S. border will now be required to submit their applications to immigration officials. Manan Gupta supported the government’s decision to end flagpoling, as it would eliminate the discrepancies in wait times for different individuals and create a more equitable immigration system. CBSA statistics showed a significant increase in flagpoling at Canadian entry points since 2021, with 32,410 individuals flagpoling as of June 2. This was a rise from the 61,561 individuals who flagpoled in the previous year, representing a 90 percent increase from 2022.
In 2020, the number of individuals flagpoling decreased by 34 percent due to restrictions on non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to end flagpoling was welcomed by immigration experts, as it would streamline the processing of work and study permits and reduce the burden on border resources. Overall, the elimination of flagpoling aims to improve the efficiency of the immigration system in Canada and ensure a fair and consistent process for all applicants. The practice of flagpoling had been utilized by thousands of individuals each year, with its popularity growing steadily until its official discontinuation in December.
