As of June 21, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that foreign nationals are no longer able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at their Canadian port of entry (POE).
This change is effective immediately.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says this measure will reduce “flagpoling” and allow border officers more time to complete “enforcement activities." It is also expected to reduce delays for travellers and speed up the movement of commercial goods between Canada and the United States.
Further, the department says that the change will increase “fairness amongst applicants” and it will continue to find other ways to reduce the use of flagpoling in future.
“While we continue to support and recognize the contributions of international graduates to Canada’s labour market, ‘flagpoling’ is unnecessary,” says Minister Miller. “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.”
Some applicants use flagpoling to avoid the sometimes lengthy processing time for their PGWP. To address these concerns, IRCC says they are:
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
According to IRCC, PGWP applicants accounted for one-fifth of the foreign nationals who attempted to flagpole From March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024.
