UPDATE: Flagpoled at the Thousand Islands border yesterday with my wife to lift the restrictions from the OWP. (See our timeline in my signature.) It was quick and easy. Officer took approximately 10-15 mins to process the new OWP. We didn’t pay the $255 fee. Whoo! I recommend to flagpole there instead of NFalls for those in southern Ontario.
*Be sure to bring your medical results with IME number showing, your passport, and your original document (in our case, wife’s official OWP). The officer will request those.
Pros and Cons: NFalls border
- processes up to 60 apps per day (their priority are the tourists)
- be there super early a.m. to be in the quota, or else come back another day (8 am to midnight)
- immigration services only on certain days on Tues - Thurs
- congested with long lines due to high traffic (over 5 million in a year)
- 50/50 chance to pay the fee or not, depending on the officer you deal with
- depending where you’re located, if NFalls is closest, expect the above listed. Avoid this border for flagpoling if possible.
Pros and Cons: Thousand Islands border
- processes apps at any time any day 24/7 (we went at 1:30 ish pm)
- crossing this border was a breeze (a bit over 1 million in a year)
- low chance of having to pay the fee
- might be too far for you to flagpole this border depending where you’re located in Ontario (45 mins closer for me than to NFalls)