(Success) Flagpole Experience PGWP: Peace Bridge (Fort Erie), Rainbow Bridge

[RamSatt]

A friend of mine flagpoled yesterday, his TRV and study permits expired a while ago and he is in the PGWP-implied status. The US border agents asked him a bunch of questions, but didn't stop him. However on the Canada side, the CBSA agents showed him his on WP-EXT letter showing the date on it according to IRCC, and refused to give him his PGWP document, saying that he still has a month to get it, and that he will.

Guess it is different for different people. Maybe he would've got it, if the date on the WP-EXT letter also passed and he still didn't get the PGWP.

 

[JohnSmith123]

A friend of mine flagpoled yesterday, his TRV and study permits expired a while ago and he is in the PGWP-implied status. The US border agents asked him a bunch of questions, but didn't stop him. However on the Canada side, the CBSA agents showed him his on WP-EXT letter showing the date on it according to IRCC, and refused to give him his PGWP document, saying that he still has a month to get it, and that he will.

Guess it is different for different people. Maybe he would've got it, if the date on the WP-EXT letter also passed and he still didn't get the PGWP.

Sorry, I am confused, technically implied status cannot do the flagpole, your friend is risking himself being refused from re-entering Canada since both his TRV and study permit expired, he is a person without legal status in Canada. Also what do you mean by "CBSA showed him his on WP-EXT letter showing the date on it according to IRCC", I cannot understand what are you talking about starting from here.... sorry
If my guessing was correct, your friend has an approved study permit but has not received it, so he went to the border trying to get one?

 

[DesiPikachu]

A friend of mine flagpoled yesterday, his TRV and study permits expired a while ago and he is in the PGWP-implied status. The US border agents asked him a bunch of questions, but didn't stop him. However on the Canada side, the CBSA agents showed him his on WP-EXT letter showing the date on it according to IRCC, and refused to give him his PGWP document, saying that he still has a month to get it, and that he will.

Guess it is different for different people. Maybe he would've got it, if the date on the WP-EXT letter also passed and he still didn't get the PGWP.

Where did he flagpole? BC or Ontario?

 

[double_four_time]

Hi! Thanks for sharing. Can I ask if your official transcript was sealed in the envelope by your school? Or was it just a printed copy?

 

[JohnSmith123]

Hi! Thanks for sharing. Can I ask if your official transcript was sealed in the envelope by your school? Or was it just a printed copy?

I made some research, and the answer from my perspective is yes, you will need the transcript sealed.

 

[RamSatt]

Sorry, I am confused, technically implied status cannot do the flagpole, your friend is risking himself being refused from re-entering Canada since both his TRV and study permit expired, he is a person without legal status in Canada. Also what do you mean by "CBSA showed him his on WP-EXT letter showing the date on it according to IRCC", I cannot understand what are you talking about starting from here.... sorry
If my guessing was correct, your friend has an approved study permit but has not received it, so he went to the border trying to get one?

1. He graduated alongside me in April 2022 and applied for PGWP. He received a WP-EXT letter (as did I) where a date (120 days later) was communicated as the tentative date by which he would get his Post-Graduate Work Permit approved. That puts both of us in implied status. The CBSA officer pointed that letter out to him, saying that he should be patient and that the PGWP would be issued by that date, even though the processing time is significantly longer now. He and I both understand the risks of flagpoling under implied status. But as he got a recent job offer, and was asked to submit his work permit as proof, he attempted to flapole to get it faster.

2. He flagpoled from Thousand Islands in Ontario.

 

[RamSatt]

Hi! Thanks for sharing. Can I ask if your official transcript was sealed in the envelope by your school? Or was it just a printed copy?

Official transcripts are always issued in sealed envelopes with a stamp/school address on it.

 

[JohnSmith123]

1. He graduated alongside me in April 2022 and applied for PGWP. He received a WP-EXT letter (as did I) where a date (120 days later) was communicated as the tentative date by which he would get his Post-Graduate Work Permit approved. That puts both of us in implied status. The CBSA officer pointed that letter out to him, saying that he should be patient and that the PGWP would be issued by that date, even though the processing time is significantly longer now. He and I both understand the risks of flagpoling under implied status. But as he got a recent job offer, and was asked to submit his work permit as proof, he attempted to flapole to get it faster.

2. He flagpoled from Thousand Islands in Ontario.

Oh I see, never thought there is such a thing, good to know. I heard that CBSA always asks people to wait if they have applied online, and it looks like that happened to your friend unfortunately...
But isn't leaving Canada with implied status will cause refusal on re-entering Canada? Or your friend got his/her SP valid.

 

[RamSatt]

Oh I see, never thought there is such a thing, good to know. I heard that CBSA always asks people to wait if they have applied online, and it looks like that happened to your friend unfortunately...
But isn't leaving Canada with implied status will cause refusal on re-entering Canada? Or your friend got his/her SP valid.

I guess he was just lucky on that front (and desperate). Luckily, the border agents on both sides sympathized with him. He could've been stuck in no-man's-land, as you rightly said (refusal on re-entering Canada).

EDIT - Yes, it is risky and shouldn't be attempted. I shared this story only to serve as an example for other desperate applicants who may attempt this.

 

[JohnSmith123]

I guess he was just lucky on that front (and desperate). Luckily, the border agents on both sides sympathized with him. He could've been stuck in no-man's-land, as you rightly said (refusal on re-entering Canada).

EDIT - Yes, it is risky and shouldn't be attempted. I shared this story only to serve as an example for other desperate applicants who may attempt this.

Anyway, glad to see your friend returned.
Yeah I was worried about this kinda stuff initially because I got my TRV expired, but luckily there is regulation supporting me. I also saw so many cases saying they traveled down to the US and were able to return, that gives me the confidence to flagpole next month.

 

[Accountingdude2893]

I mean, it looks like it is essential to someone who has their TRV expired, including me, so I would like to have the more official stuff posted here, here is the link
I heard suggestions to print this page out and having the division 5 - 190 - 3 - f highlighted
I also asked my agent, he said it is absolutely legitimate to do so.
GL

yes my friends did it. I am going to get my flagpole done tomorrow as well. And yes, you do not need a TRV as long as your SP is still valid for re-entry.

 

[Accountingdude2893]

Hi,
Can we go at the border for PGWP if TRV stamp on passport is expired on 31st March 2022? I still have valid study permit which is expiring on 31st July, 2022
But the only concern I have is about passport. Can they deny entry at border if I have expired date on passport?

As long as your SP or WP is still valid, it is not gonna be a concern that your Visa is expired

 

[JohnSmith123]

yes my friends did it. I am going to get my flagpole done tomorrow as well. And yes, you do not need a TRV as long as your SP is still valid for re-entry.

Nice! Are you able to come back and share your experience tomorrow plz?
Hope that dude asking for this question is able to see it...

 

[Accountingdude2893]

Nice! Are you able to come back and share your experience tomorrow plz?
Hope that dude asking for this question is able to see it...

Yeah. I am going to make a report here tomorrow. The bridge is so damn long. Going by foot gonna be a pain... Wish me luck bro

 

[JohnSmith123]

Yeah. I am going to make a report here tomorrow. The bridge is so damn long. Going by foot gonna be a pain... Wish me luck bro

How's going dude