Brock University DLI # 019394569014

Flagpoling is when people who hold temporary resident status in Canada leave Canada and, after a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, re-enter to access immigration services at a port of entry.

As announced by the Government of Canada as part of Canada’s Border Plan, work and study permits will no longer be provided to flagpolers at a port of entry, effective December 23 at 11:59 pm ET. Please visit Ending flagpoling for work and study permits at the border for more details. 

Important Notes About Flagpoling

In very limited circumstances, work and study permits may still be granted at a port of entry to individuals who otherwise meet the definition of flagpoling. The exemptions include:

• Citizens and lawful Permanent Residents of the United States of America.
• Professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with the United States/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 who hold a work permit, where required to depart Canada for the purpose of their employment and held maintained status as a result of applying for renewal prior to departure; and
• Individuals who have a pre-existing appointment booked with the CBSA for permit processing.

Even if you are eligible to flagpole, there are limited hours at many ports of entry. Services may also not be available if the border is too busy that day or if they have already met their daily quota.

The US will issue you an administrative refusal if you flagpole. This is something you will need to declare in any future Canadian immigration applications. It may complicate any future application to IRCC as well as travel to the US or another country.

If you are considering flagpoling, please speak with an international student advisor for advice.