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Canada Ends Flagpoling Immigration Practice

As of midnight Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the termination of the immigration process known as ‘flagpoling.’ This decision, effective December 23 at 11:59 p.m. eastern time, alters how foreign nationals seeking work and study permits can navigate immigration services at Canadian border crossings.

Flagpoling allows individuals holding temporary resident status in Canada to briefly leave the country for the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon and then re-enter Canada to access necessary immigration services. The CBSA indicated that this practice placed an unnecessary burden on border resources, redirecting Canadian and U.S. officers from critical enforcement functions and increasing wait times for cross-border travel.

According to Manan Gupta, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant in Brampton, Ontario, flagpoling had surged in popularity, especially among those facing urgent visa needs. “People often opted for flagpoling when they received a job offer requiring immediate attention, leading them to seek same-day visa services,” he explained.

Understanding Flagpoling Dynamics

Flagpoling involves exiting Canada and informing U.S. border agents of one’s intention to return to Canada rather than remain in the U.S. This maneuver allows applicants to have their immigration requests reviewed upon re-entry by CBSA officials. Gupta noted that this could cause frustration for U.S. officials as delays due to border traffic ensued.

In May 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Canadian government to put an end to flagpoling, citing concerns over congestion at border crossings. Gupta emphasized that many applicants resorted to flagpoling due to the long wait times to receive Canadian visa approvals.

Statistics highlight the growing trend of flagpoling. As of December 17, the average processing time for a work permit in Canada was approximately 170 days, while wait times for student permits were around nine weeks. Gupta pointed out that although the practice was not illegal, it highlighted systemic failures that resulted in lengthy processing delays, leading to perceived disparities in the immigration system.

With the new regulations in place, individuals hoping to obtain work or study permits at the Canada-U.S. border will now need to submit their applications through immigration officials directly, rather than relying on flagpoling as a quick fix. Gupta expressed support for the changes, arguing that this move should eliminate the inequities in processing times among different applicants, asserting, “There should not be a two-tiered immigration system,” and stating that “waiting times should be equitable for everyone.”

As the trend of flagpoling grew, CBSA reported significant increases in the number of flagpole cases at Canadian entry points. In 2022, 61,561 people engaged in this process, representing a staggering 90 percent rise from 2022, which saw 32,394 flagpolers. This pattern reversed a decline in flagpoling reported in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when non-essential travel restrictions were in place.

With the official end of flagpoling, the Canadian immigration landscape is poised for a significant shift, potentially easing border congestion and redefining how individuals approach their visa needs.

Source
globalnews.ca