Canada ends “Flagpoling” for Work and Study Permits

Introduction

Canada has ended the practice of “flagpoling” for work and study permits from December 23^rd 2024. “Flagpoling” was a process that enabled temporary residents to leave and re-enter Canada to renew their permit status at the Port of Entry rather than through the inland filing process. Going forwards these extensions will need to be completed inland via the IRCC, resulting in a much lengthier processing time for applicants. 

Impact:
Medium

What has changed?

The Canadian government has ended the process of “Flagpoling” with effect from the 23^rd December 2024. Previously, temporary residents with Canadian work or study permits wanting to expedite the renewal of their immigration status were permitted to leave Canada and re-enter, applying for the extension at the Port of Entry. The following individuals will still be permitted to “flagpole” and obtain their renewal at the Port of Entry: 

• Citizens and permanent residents of the United State of America
• Professionals under certain free trade agreements with the USA, Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and South Korea
• Spouses or common law partners of professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea
• International truck drivers required to depart Canada for the purpose of their employment and who have held maintained status and applied for renewal prior to departure
• Applicants with a pre-existing appointment booked with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

What to expect /impact?

Going forwards foreign nationals wanting to extend work and study permits will need to complete this inland via the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This will significantly increase the processing time for the renewal of their status. Work permit processing time with the IRCC is currently estimated at approx. 5 months following submission of the application. Employers and their foreign national employees will need to prepare their extension application well in advance to allow for the additional processing time. 

The removal of the “flagpoling” is not expected to impact those individuals with initial work or study permit applications applying via the Port of Entry. 

What you need to do:

For further information on Canadian immigration, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team at immigration@sterlinglexicon.com.

*This alert is written in collaboration with Sterling Lexicon’s partner law firms and Regulated Canadian Immigration consultants.