Canada – Immediate Changes to PGWP Application Process: Flagpoling No Longer Permitted
June 29, 2024
Effective immediately, foreign nationals are no longer permitted to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the border, a process commonly known as flagpoling. Flagpoling involves temporary residents of Canada leaving the country and re-entering shortly after to bypass the standard wait times associated with applying for work or study permits online, thereby receiving same-day immigration services.
Flagpoling hours at 12 ports of entry across Canada have been reduced to allow border services officers to more efficiently manage the high volume of travelers during peak periods and to prioritize other essential tasks, such as handling high-risk travelers and facilitating trade.
To further address flagpoling, several additional measures have been implemented:
- Accelerating processing times for in-Canada work permit applications.
- Simplifying online application forms and processes, enabling foreign nationals to continue working while awaiting a decision on their new application.
- Allowing workers to begin employment with a new employer immediately, without having to wait for their new work permit application to be processed.