Maple News reports that as of December 23 at 11:59 p.m., the Government of Canada has officially banned the practice of flagpoling for most temporary residents. This change means that individuals in Canada on work or study permits can no longer access same-day immigration services by briefly exiting and re-entering the country at a border crossing.
Flagpoling was widely used by temporary residents as a means to expedite immigration processes, allowing them to obtain or renew permits at the border without waiting weeks or months for online application processing. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), has now closed this route—except for a small number of exceptions.
Individuals who are exempt from the ban include U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, foreign professionals and technicians under certain Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), their eligible spouses or partners, international truck drivers holding valid permits with maintained status, and those with pre-booked appointments at CBSA for permit services.
The shift follows a December 17 announcement by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who stated the department’s intent to eliminate flagpoling “as soon as possible.” The minister cited both the overuse of government resources and the need to reinforce border security and administrative fairness. “A strong Canada-U.S. relationship keeps people and goods moving safely while protecting both sides of the border,” said Miller. “This change will ease border congestion, improve fairness for applicants, and enhance the efficiency and security of our borders.”
According to CBSA data, more than 69,300 people engaged in flagpoling between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024—with high traffic observed at border points in British Columbia, southern Ontario, and Quebec. Officials say the practice placed an undue burden on both Canadian and American border agents.
With the new policy now in place, temporary residents must submit extension or change-of-status applications exclusively through IRCC’s online channels. Processing times may be longer, but the move is intended to standardize the immigration process and reduce operational strain on border authorities.
Maple News will continue to monitor how this change affects international workers and students in Canada, especially during peak transition periods such as graduation season or job permit renewals.