Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that international students will no longer be able to leave and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit at the border on immediate re-entry, a practice known as ‘flagpoling’.
IRCC said that flagpoling occurs when temporary residents in Canada bypass the normal waiting times involved in applying for a work or study permit online by leaving the country and then immediately re-entering to receive same-day immigration services.
With immediate effect, this service is no longer available for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following an announcement by Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
IRCC said that between March 1st 2023 and February 29th 2024, PGWP applicants represented around one fifth of the foreign nationals who attempted the same-day service.
Minister Miller said, “While we continue to support and recognize the contributions of international graduates to Canada’s labour market, ‘flagpoling’ is unnecessary. The time and effort required to process applications from ‘flagpolers’ takes officers on both sides of the border away from their crucial role in protecting the safety, security and prosperity of Canadians and Americans. This measure will help prevent this practice, while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system.”
IRCC said it was taking measures to encourage applicants to apply in Canada rather than flagpole, including improving processing times.
The organisation said that when eligible graduating students apply online for a PGWP before their study permit expires, they can work full time while awaiting approval and receive an automated letter that can be shown to employers.
Article By Study Travel Network