Canada bans "flagpoling" at the US border for obtaining work permits
Foreign nationals will no longer be allowed to apply for work permits at the U.S. border.
Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced a ban on foreign nationals applying for work permits after completing their studies at the Canada-U.S. border. This decision aims to prevent the practice of "flagpoling", where temporary residents of Canada bypass the usual online procedures for obtaining work or study permits by leaving the country and immediately returning to receive immigration services on the same day.
Minister Miller noted that "flagpoling" takes time and effort away from border service officers and threatens the safety and prosperity of both Canadian and U.S. citizens. City councilor Erica Alneus supported the government's decision, emphasizing that it will help prevent additional strain on border services and uphold security regulations.
Representatives from Canada's immigration service urged temporary residents to apply for work permits within Canada, speeding up application processing and simplifying online forms. They also allowed workers to start their new jobs immediately without waiting for the processing of their new work permit applications.
