IRCC Discontinues Flagpoling for International Students Seeking PGWP Applications
Flagpoling for International Students Seeking PGWP Application
IRCC Minister Marc Miller has announced an important update: international students can no longer apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the border. This rule is effective immediately and is meant to stop the practice known as “flagpoling.”
Why IRCC Ended Flagpoling for PGWP Applications
Effective right away, foreign nationals are not allowed to apply for a PGWP at any Canadian port of entry.
Flagpoling involved leaving Canada and re-entering within minutes to access same-day immigration services. Many students used this method to avoid long processing times for online PGWP applications.
According to IRCC, this practice caused several issues.
For example, it consumed significant border resources, slowed down regular travelers, and even affected the movement of goods.
Between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024, PGWP applicants represented about 20% of all flagpolers.
Because of these challenges, the government decided to end the practice and require PGWP applicants to apply online from within Canada.
Marc Miller stated that while Canada continues to value international graduates, flagpoling is unnecessary. He explained that processing these applications pulls border officers away from their main duties, which include protecting Canada’s safety and managing secure trade. Therefore, stopping the practice helps maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
Understanding the Practice of Flagpoling
Before this change, temporary residents in Canada could leave and re-enter the country to get faster immigration services.
They often used flagpoling to renew permits or extend their status without waiting for normal IRCC processing times.
However, this shortcut created heavy pressure on border operations and caused avoidable delays for everyone else.
What Is a PGWP?
A Post-Graduation Work Permit allows international students who complete an eligible Canadian program to work in Canada.
It is an open work permit, which means graduates can work for any employer, in any location, and for as many hours as they wish.
Additionally, PGWP experience is extremely valuable, as it can help students qualify for permanent residence programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
