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New CBSA Flagpoling Locations And Hours Effective May 30

Published

6 months ago

May 30, 2024

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New CBSA Flagpoling Locations And Hours Effective May 30

Last Updated On 30 May 2024, 11:19 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is recommending temporary residents avoid flagpoling and access immigration services online.

Flagpoling is the term used when temporary residents in Canada depart and return within 24 hours to seek immigration services at the port of entry (POE) or border.

CBSA advises that if you opt to visit a port of entry for immigration services, you may encounter long lines, and your turn may not arrive until the end of service hours.

Furthermore, flagpoling services are available at limited borders only.

Flagpoling Services Locations and Hours

If you travel to the border to “flagpole” and want to get immigration services, then you must plan ahead, keeping in mind the limited hours of service.

Flagpoling services are now available only at the following ports of entry, effective May 30, 2024:

There has been a reduction in flagpoling hours in the Pacific region.

Southern Ontario region:

Fort Erie (Peace Bridge): Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 am to midnight

Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge: Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 am to midnight

Queenston-Lewiston Bridge: Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 am to midnight

Quebec region:

Armstrong: Monday to Thursday, from 12 pm to 7 pm

Saint Armand/Philipsburg: Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 3 pm

Saint Bernard-de-Lacolle: Monday to Thursday, from 12 pm to 7 pm

Stanstead Route 55: Monday to Thursday, from 8 am to 5 pm

Pacific region:

Abbotsford-Huntingdon: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm

Aldergrove: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm

Boundary Bay: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 2 pm

Douglas: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm

Pacific Highway: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm

Most of the time, international students find it convenient to get their post-graduation work permit (PGWP) within a day,, which would usually take up to a month if applied online.

CBSA recommends that temporary residents renew their work or study permit online in advance.

In this way, they may receive a new one in the mail before the existing one expires.

Also, temporary residents can continue working or studying even if their current permit expires while they wait for the processing of the new one, as they will have “maintained status.”

Immigration services usually accessed via flagpoling

Temporary residents in Canada access multiple immigration services via flagpoling at the border; in fact, they voluntarily opt to do so to avoid long processing times at the IRCC.

Common services include soft landings once a temporary resident is approved for permanent residency.

They just go to the border, exit, and re-enter to officially confirm their permanent residency.

Other services include extensions of temporary resident status, getting a new study or work permit, or renewals of their permits.

What could go wrong?

Although flagpoling is a common practice, always remember that CBSA officers reserve the right to refuse admission and detain you.

You should be aware that both the US and Canadian borders may deny you entry.

As a result, you may find yourself stranded between two countries and obliged to return to your own country.

The following are some common issues that you could face at the border:

There is no CBSA immigration officer to handle your request.
The border only accepts applications on certain days of the week or during specific hours of the day.
CBSA has reached its daily quota and will not accept any additional applications.
You do not meet the application’s requirements or possess all of the relevant documents.
A CBSA officer finds you inadmissible to Canada.

Though flagpoling is legal and can prove to be a useful option, be sure to execute it correctly.

To avoid any disasters, you must meet all standards and carry all necessary documentation.