“On June 16, 2017, the Canada Border Services Agency’s Southern Ontario Region started the Flagpoling pilot project. The Pilot involves new procedures for temporary residents of Canada who flagpole from Friday to Monday at the Rainbow, Queenston-Lewiston and Peace Bridges.”
(Note: Flagpoling means to exit a country momentarily and reenter. Usually this is done to satisfy immigration requirements. )
“Due to high volumes and/or excessive immigration wait times experienced from Friday to Monday, temporary residents who flagpole at the specified border crossings to receive immediate processing of Confirmation of Permanent Resident, Work Permit and Study Permit applications will be allowed to proceed into Canada under their current immigration status and given one of the following options:
- Apply online, by mail or make an appointment at an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office within Canada; or
- Return to a CBSA port of entry from Tuesday to Thursday when operational volumes permit the processing of these applications.”
In short, if individuals want to activate their permanent resident visa, or activate a new work or study permit, at the designated Niagara Falls border point, they must plan their trip to be on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday only. We highly recommend people to check before they go to the Niagara Falls borders!
In addition, some borders are starting to adopt this policy without announcement. As a result, we caution anyone expecting these PR and Permit services at airports or other borders to be mindful of this policy and check before they enter Canada.
Click here for the full fact sheet from the Canada Border Services Agency.
Hello Sir/ Madam,
I Was graduated in May 2017, and I am eligible for 3 Year post graduate work permit. I have applied my work permit on June 28, 2017. The current processing time is 64 Days for PGWP. Now I have my parents medical emergency to leave for couple of week to my home country. But, By that time, I would not receive my PGWP, and I cannot retuen to canada.
Sir, am I eligible to do flag poling now, After aplying online? Would i be given a chance to explain my change of circumstances and issue me the work permit by CBSA? If I am eligible, what would be the process, and required documents to carry with me for my process to CBSA.
And In 2015, January I was refused entry into USA, from india, As my college start date was already passed. I was sent back to india from the port of entry at San Diago, California. I was banned entry into USA for 5 years.
Will it effect my flagpoling process at Border with US immigration? Will they allow me to do flagpoling and proceed towards canadian border?
Please respond as soon as possible, and thank you.
I aplreciate your time in answering my question.
Will look forward for your reply.
We would need to look at all documentation first. Can’t answer but would need to have a consult please. If you can send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day
Hello Sir/ Madam,
My status is a worker with a closed work permit. My work permit is going to expire soon. I have a PNP certificate and have submitted an application for permanent resident. I have received a file number, and I think I am eligible for applying for a bridge work permit. My question is can I apply for the bridge work permit through flagpoiling?
I really appreciate if you can respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your help and answer.
Hi Ben. Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation (and possibly set up an initial consultation if you require our services) more fully and privately. Take care and have a good day!
hi i am a student here and enrolled as a part time student now. Unfortunately i have to do a part time course again to finish my studies. Can i get my PGWP now ?
Harshad: Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation (and possibly set up an initial consultation if you require our services) more fully and privately. Take care and have a good day!
Can I apply for my pgwp using flagpoling?
Andrew: Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation (and possibly set up an initial consultation if you require our services) more fully and privately. Take care and have a good day!
Hi,
This is Arif Padaniya. I have completed my 2 years program in Sep-2017 and was waiting for my graduation letter which I received last week. My question is Next week I am planning to apply for my work permit and if i am not wrong it will take around 2 months. But on my passport, my student visa expires on 30-Nov and I have an internship/ co-up work permit paper that expires on May-2018.
So If my PGWP doesn’t come by Nov-2017, Do i have to leave this country or I can stay until May-2018 as per my co-up WP.
Please get back to me, I am worried.
Thanks,
Arif Padaniya
E: rfpadaniya@gmail.com
M: 4163583190
Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation (and possibly set up an initial consultation if you require our services) more fully and privately. Take care and have a good day!
I am currently living in London ON. The closet border is Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.
Please confirm the days and timing for Permanent Residency flag polling.
It will be very much appreciated.
thanks
Sandeep: At present the only posted borders with this policy are in the Niagara Region of Ontario. However, other borders may have similar, unpublished policies. We do not have any further detail on any other border crossing but would recommend that any travelers call the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) toll free from within Canada at 1-800-461-9999 to obtain specific information. Also, be sure to show up early in the day when you do go to the border.
Thanks Marilyn.
Hi, Would you please let me know how I can book appointment for flagpoling at Niagara Falls borders? What is the link? Will they process my PR landing if I show up early in the morning on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday without appointment?
Can I do flagpolling at Toronto Pearson Airport?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Hi Elham,
Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation (and possibly set up an initial consultation if you require our services) more fully and privately. Also, keep watching the blog, as we’re scheduled to post more content about flagpoling next week. Take care and have a good day!
Hi, Elham. A few more details for you:
Yes, you can show up at the border without an appointment, on a Tues, Wed, or Thursday. There is no ability to make an appointment however, if you don’t show up early enough on those three days, it is possible that you will not be served on that day. For example, if you show up at 3 p.m., it is possible that you will be asked to come back another Tue, Wed or Thu. As a result, we recommend clients to go early in the morning – be able to get there by 8 a.m. preferably. Flagpoling is only an option at a land border or potentially a sea port (ferry crossing for example), this cannot be done at an airport.
Keep an eye on our blog, as we’re scheduled to post more content about flagpoling next week. Take care and have a good day!
What days can I come for flagpolling? My visa expires on 12/31/2017. I have to travel to my home country for an important family related concern in November. So, I was seeking to flagpole.
Wanted to know what’s the best time of the day and also what days?
My permit needed is the post graduate work Permit for 3 years since i successfully completed my 2 year program in the month of September, 2017 along with co-op.
What documents should I carry?
1. Graduation certificate and letter
2. Passport
3. Work and study permit
4. Transcripts
5. SIN number
6. Full job work offer letter with my current employer
Are these sufficient ?
I was going to plan a trip from Toronto to niagara today early morning but it’s a Saturday and I came across this forum while googling for more information.
As a result, I dropped the plan for today and will wait for a response here.
I have to rush to my home country in less than 4 weeks for an urgent family matter and I am very worried as to how to do this.
A response and some guidance shall be highly appreciated.
Thank you
PG,
We would need to look at all documentation first. Unfortunately, we can’t answer here but would need to have a consult please. Please send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
So are we not able to flagpole at Niagara Rainbow Bridge on a Sunday then? Also as an approximate estimate, do you know how long the process and lining up typically takes?
As mentioned in the post, you can’t do flagpole on Fri, Sat, Sun or Mon.
You have to go on Tue, Wed and Thu only.
We recommend to go there as early as possible – usually 7 am.
Take care and all the best
Good Afternoon.
I got your email from your official website.
Me and my spouse received COPR and have a question related to flagpolling.
I have a visa for USA and my spouse is not having USA visa, can we still do flagpolling without USA visa?
I live in Ontario and i am planning to cross border at Niagra Falls.
Please advise.
Thank you.
Hi Vishal,
Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation more fully and privately. Take care and have a good day!
what is operational hours for flagpoling?
You will have to contact Niagara for their exact hours but you have to go on Tue, Wed and Thu only.
We recommend to go there as early as possible – usually 7 am.
hlo sir i m a international student ,i dont get my study permit from the airport they just stamp on my passport can any tell.me ,can i get my study permit by flagpolling if yes then what is timing for that
Hi Ankit. We would need to understand more fully why a study permit was not issued at the airport. If your study permit has been clearly approved in advance and US entry visa is available, flaggpoling may be done, but otherwise, there is some risk by going to the border. I recommend caution. Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office 519-744-3470 so we can discuss the details of your situation fully and privately. Take care and we look forward to hearing from you!
i dont know why he did not give me the study permit but when i went to bank to open my gic account they asked me for study permit .. plz help me to get out from this problem
Ankit – We would need to look at all documentation in order to discuss your case properly. We can’t answer here but would need to have a consult, please. If you can send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
sir can i plz tell me what will.be the risk if i do flagpolling
How did u receive the permit then ? Same is my case i came here on open work permit n I didn’t get any permit on airport
Hi , recently I received my COPR document along with passport stamped ; and I ‘m planning to do my Landing ;but I noticed in the COPR document the field ‘Last Entry Date’ was wrongly printed; Just wandering , if I can get it correctly updated during landing.
Regards, Partha
Hi Parthasarathi – It depends upon your situation. In order to correct the document, it may take some time – as long as six months or as short as a month. If you can wait (and have a valid status to stay in Canada), it is a good idea to fix any incorrect information. If you can’t wait, then you may have to go ahead and try to fix it later, if required. Thus, it depends upon each person’s situations. When in doubt, it is safe to fix any items to proceed in general. However, it is recommended to get some specific recommendations before proceeding to be safe. Please feel free to send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
Hello Parth, Could you please let me know how you handled this situation of incorrect Last Entry Date ? I seem to be in a similar situation, confused if i should go ahead with the Flag poling attempt or check with the IRCC before anything. Thanks for your help in advance.
Regards
Sri
I requested for correction at the time of landing and they did on the spot.
Hi. I have a student permit and landed here last April 2018. My school needed a co-op permit, and I think that I did forget to get that from the embassy when I arrived. My placement will start by June and I dont know what to do. Any ideas?
Charissa – We would need to look at all documentation in order to discuss your case properly. We can’t answer here but would need to have a consult, please. If you can, send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
hello sir,
I completed my 2-year diploma program and eligible for the 3-year work permit. But I heard to get a work permit at Niagara border you should not have USA visa then only they will give you USA rejection letter. But I have USA visitor visa so still, i get a work permit from border or no?. Please reply me
Thank you.
Hi Jemini! We would need to look at all documentation in order to discuss your case properly. We can’t answer here but would need to have a consult, please. If you can, send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
Hello there,
I received my COPR last week and i also have a dependant (my husband who is in India and is waiting for his passport and COPR). I am planning to flagpole at the Rainbow bridge after he receives his passport as this is mandatory. I have the sticker on my passport and also a US visa, my work permit expired on June 1st, 2018 and I have applied for another one before expiration. My question however is that, will not having an active permit create any problem with my landing process or am i good to go???
Regards,
Hi Arlinda! Thank you for your question. We would need to look at all documentation in order to discuss your case properly. We can’t answer here but would need to have a consult, please. If you can, send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
Hi,
I have applied for PGWP online. My husband is here on OWP but his permit will end by April 30 2019. As I applied online it can take up to 3 months to get approved. Can I withdraw the online application and go to Niagara border and apply for the permit again.
Thanks
Sandhya: Thank you for your interest! We would need to look at some details in order to discuss your case properly, and discern how we can support you. If you can, send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!
Me and my wife (who is pregnant) have tried to flagpole three times to land for our PR on the rainbow bridge in Niagara. We walked the bridge at different times: early morning, noon and evening; all on Tuesday and Wednesday. None of them works! Officers in Canada side of the bridge refused to accept our flagpole paper (got from the US side) saying that: we have too many applicants today, we are closed for the day, you should get appointments with city offices to land, …! It seems they refuse flagpole intentionally so that IRC change their procedure and reduce the border officers’ workload. On my last try, we were there at 6:00 a.m, being the 30th person in a 70-people line. Officers opened the flagpole acceptance at 8:00 am, accepting about first 10 people in the line and closed it at 8:20 am saying that the flagpole acceptance is closed for the day due to a high volume of applicants! During that 20 minutes in line, officers came out frequently and asked if there is anyone in line who doesn’t want to flagpole? But everybody were waiting there for the flagpole. It tells me that they had enough workforce to do the job, but they simply didn’t want to do the flagpole. Long story short, I do not recommend the Rainbow bridge to flagpole as their officers do not care about your time and are not willing to help you despite your situation. Eventually, we went to Sarnia’s port, Blue water bridge (it doesn’t have walking side, so we drove the bridge) at 3:00 pm on Wednesday. The whole process took 10 minutes for the Canadian officer to gave us the proof of landing.
Hi,
Do you know if restricted days and hours apply also in the case I activate the IEC Work Permit for the first time? Right now I am a tourist in Canada but not a resident.
Thank you.
For Niagara Fall border – Lewiston, Rainbow or Peace Bridges, they can only attend on Tue, Wed or Thu of each week. Due to the volume, you must go for the first thing in the morning – at 8:30 a.m.
Hi,
I live in Toronto and have an appointment at Etobicoke for PR Interview in Mid July. However, based on personal reasons, I need to land before that date. Can I cancel my appointment and do flagpole at the rainbow border? What is the process? I called 1-888-242-2100, but there was no agent to answer my question. I appreciate your help in advance.
Cheers 🙂
Hi there,
See everything above but none is about international student spousal open work permit (SOWP). I will be a graduate student this Sep and got an approved study permit, I want to apply SOWP (thru flagpoling) for my pregnant wife who is planning to arrive Vancouver this July with me. Any advice?
Hi Harry, Thank you for your interest! We would need to look at some details in order to discuss your case properly, and discern how we can support you because so much of this depends on the situation. If you can, send us an email – contact@jrlawoffice.com or call our office (519-744-3470) to provide more information or to set up an initial consultation to discuss further. Take care and have a good day!