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Can I flagpole at Pearson Airport to get my first PGWP?

Agent_47_0

Newbie
Jan 6, 2024
5
0
Hello everyone. I have successfully completed my program. I am from a visa-required country but I have a valid study permit and valid TRV. I am returning to Canada on an international flight from the UAE. I did not apply for a PGWP online yet. My question is: Can I flagpole to apply for my first PGWP at Pearson airport? Thanks!
 
Last edited:

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,876
9,501
Hello everyone. I have successfully completed my program. I am from a visa-required country but I have a valid study permit and valid TRV. I am returning to Canada on an international flight from the UAE. I did not apply for a PGWP online yet. My question is: Can I flagpole to apply for my first PGWP at Pearson airport? Thanks!
If you are returning to Canada from an international flight then that is not flagpoling. Flagpoling is when you go to a land border, cross and tell US officials you are flagpoling so you never enter the US. If you are from a visa required country, CBSA may not process a PGWP as you should be applying online. IRCC needs to process it. When did you finish your studies and when does your study permit expire?
 

Agent_47_0

Newbie
Jan 6, 2024
5
0
If you are returning to Canada from an international flight then that is not flagpoling. Flagpoling is when you go to a land border, cross and tell US officials you are flagpoling so you never enter the US. If you are from a visa required country, CBSA may not process a PGWP as you should be applying online. IRCC needs to process it. When did you finish your studies and when does your study permit expire?
Thanks for the response. I finished my studies in December 2023. My study permit expires in 2025. But I guess it expires 90 days after my graduation.
 

chante

Newbie
Oct 11, 2024
3
0
You can try flagpoling by going to a US border. You must have all documentation (letter completion, transcripts etc.) If denied you apply online.
Hi, if my work permit is approved but the mail was lost, can I buy international tickets and flagpole it at the airport?
 

rcincanada2019

Champion Member
Jan 14, 2023
1,066
463
Ontario
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Sydney, NS
App. Filed.......
03-07-2022
Nomination.....
30-03-2022
AOR Received.
03-11-2022
Hi, if my work permit is approved but the mail was lost, can I buy international tickets and flagpole it at the airport?
See post #2 above.
 

chante

Newbie
Oct 11, 2024
3
0
See post #2 above.
Thanks for replying! my case is that IRCC has already approved my application, but the mail was lot so I didn't get the visa paper. I only have the approval letter in the system, so I'm wondering when I return to canada by air, can I directly request for printing the coop work permit?
 

rcincanada2019

Champion Member
Jan 14, 2023
1,066
463
Ontario
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Sydney, NS
App. Filed.......
03-07-2022
Nomination.....
30-03-2022
AOR Received.
03-11-2022
Thanks for replying! my case is that IRCC has already approved my application, but the mail was lot so I didn't get the visa paper. I only have the approval letter in the system, so I'm wondering when I return to canada by air, can I directly request for printing the coop work permit?
I will copy @Naturgrl reply here:

If you are returning to Canada from an international flight then that is not flagpoling. Flagpoling is when you go to a land border, cross and tell US officials you are flagpoling so you never enter the US.”

If your permit is lost in the mail, inform IRCC so that they can send you another copy.
 

forevermore76

Hero Member
May 19, 2024
608
188
Thanks for replying! my case is that IRCC has already approved my application, but the mail was lot so I didn't get the visa paper. I only have the approval letter in the system, so I'm wondering when I return to canada by air, can I directly request for printing the coop work permit?
At arrival, you will be questioned and sent to secondary. You will have to pay for verification of status and if your study/work permit was already approved, CBSA will print you a copy. If they don't want to deal with this, they can still verify your status and let you in as a visitor with a "must" leave by date. I don't think they will issue a TRP because you would already have status, just not the document to prove it. Keep in mind the worst case scenario is still being sent back.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-verification-status-replacement-immigration-document.html

Doesn't seem like there is an option to verify status from overseas so either you can mail it and wait or roll the dice and present yourself at POE. Good luck.