June 25th, 2024 at 06:42 am

Canada Announces Final Rules for PGWP: IRCC Ends Flag Poling Services | PGWP Update 2024

The Post-Graduation Work Permit application process is no longer open to foreign nationals at their Canadian port of entry, as of June 21, according to a statement released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This modification takes effect right now.

According to Immigration Minister Mark Miller, this will lessen flag polling and give border police more time to finish up enforcement tasks. Additionally, it is anticipated to expedite the flow of commercial goods between Canada and the United States and lessen traveler delays.

The department adds that it will keep looking for new methods to lessen the usage of flag polling in the future and that the adjustment will improve applicant fairness. Flag polling is not essential, according to Minister Miller, even if we still promote and acknowledge the contributions made by foreign graduates to Canada’s labor market.

Officers on both sides of the border must devote time and resources to processing flag polar applications, detracting from their vital role in ensuring the prosperity and safety of both Canadians and Americans. This action will preserve the integrity of our immigration system while assisting in the prevention of this activity.

New IRCC Initiatives to Address Flag Polling

To circumvent the occasionally protracted PGWP processing period, some applicants employ flag polling. In response to the IRCC’s concerns, they are;

• Reducing the time it takes to process applications for work permits inside Canada
• Streamlining online application procedures and paperwork to allow foreign nationals to keep working while awaiting a response on a new application
• Allowing employees to begin working for a new company immediately as opposed to waiting for the processing of their new work permit application before making a change of employment

PGWP applicants made up one-fifth of foreign nationals who attempted to flag poll between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024, according to the IRCC.

What is Flag Polling?

By leaving Canada and returning through a certain Port of Entry within 24 hours, qualified temporary residents, those with employment or study permits, and those with visiting visas or electronic travel authorization can legally participate in flag polling. By using this method, one can avoid the lengthy wait times and processing periods that frequently accompany IRCC applications submitted on paper or online.

Talking face-to-face with an immigration official has extra benefits, especially when resolving difficulties related to an immigration application. The Canadian Border Services Agency cautions visitors using flag polling services to exercise caution because the port of entry wait times can be lengthy and there may be immigration repercussions if temporary residents improperly handle their exit and re-entry.

In addition to fulfilling prerequisites for the applied immigration pathway and basic entry requirements into Canada, newcomers are strongly encouraged to maintain valid legal status or to have maintained status in Canada when departing and reentering out of status. Failure to do so puts them at risk of deportation.

Recent Changes to all Flag Polling Services

The governments of the United States and Canada have proposed modifications to flag polling services generally in response to increasing wait times and traffic at important POEs. Twelve Canadian POEs will offer fewer hours of flag polling service as a result of these modifications. Visit the IRCC’s dedicated webpage to view an exhaustive list of all Canadian POEs’ hours of operation.