OTTAWA,
ON, June 21, 2024 /CNW/ - A safe and secure
flow of goods and people across the Canada–United States border is
critical to North America's
economy and the close person-to-person ties that Canadians and
Americans enjoy. That's why we continue to look for ways to make it
easier and faster to cross the border without compromising the
integrity of our immigration system.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship, announced that foreign nationals can no
longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the
border, effective immediately. This measure will help reduce what
is known as "flagpoling." Flagpoling occurs when temporary
residents of Canada bypass the
normal wait 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.
Flagpoling uses significant resources at the border, taking
officers away from enforcement activities, causing delays for
travellers and slowing down the movement of goods. From
March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, PGWP applicants
represented about one fifth of the foreign nationals who
attempted to flagpole.
The Government of Canada is
taking measures to encourage applicants to apply in Canada rather than flagpole. We continue to
improve processing times, and are moving toward a more integrated,
modernized and centralized working environment to help speed up
application processing globally.
The change announced today increases fairness amongst applicants
and is another step that the Government of Canada is taking to reduce flagpoling. We'll
continue to look for ways to reduce flagpoling so our shared border
with the US runs smoothly and efficiently, benefitting both our
nations.
Quotes:
"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."
– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship
"Flagpoling places an undue burden on our border services
officers. With this change, we're taking a measured approach to
combatting the issue and putting an even greater focus on
maintaining the integrity of our shared border with the United States."
– The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety,
Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Quick facts:
- In most cases, a study permit expires 90 days after the
expected completion of an international student's study program.
When an eligible graduating student applies online for a PGWP
before their study permit expires, they can work full-time while
they wait for approval on a work permit and receive an automated
letter that can be shown to employers. When a work permit is
approved, it's mailed directly to them.
- Flagpoling hours were recently reduced at 12 ports of entry
across Canada to allow border
services officers to efficiently process the large volume of
travellers in peak periods and to focus on other key priorities,
including high-risk travellers and trade facilitation.
- Other recent measures to address flagpoling have included
- speeding up processing times for in-Canada work permit applications
- simplifying online application forms and processes so foreign
nationals can continue working while they wait for a decision on
their new application
- authorizing workers to start working for a new employer right
away, rather than waiting to have their new work permit application
processed before changing jobs
Associated links:
- How to apply for a post-graduation work permit
- Work or live in Canada after
you graduate
- Changing jobs or employers
- Check processing times
Follow us:
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- Instagram.com/CitImmCanada
SOURCE Citizenship and Immigration Canada