Flagpoling at Champlain Lacolle Border Crossing during COVID 19

[utojamepark]

Hi I am not an US/Canadian citizen nor holding permanent residence to either country. I have visitor visas for both countries and I am currently staying in Montreal.
I am thinking of applying for a student visa and study permit within Canada, but I was told that I will have to leave and re-enter the country in order to renew my visa status. I heard that flagpoling at the border between the 2 countries seems a popular technique to do so. However, with the current travel restrictions, non-citizen will not be allowed to enter either country, If I leave Canada and got refused entry to both countries, what is going to happen to me? Am I just going to be stuck there in between?

Thanks in advance.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi I am not an US/Canadian citizen nor holding permanent residence to either country. I have visitor visas for both countries and I am currently staying in Montreal.
I am thinking of applying for a student visa and study permit within Canada, but I was told that I will have to leave and re-enter the country in order to renew my visa status. I heard that flagpoling at the border between the 2 countries seems a popular technique to do so. However, with the current travel restrictions, non-citizen will not be allowed to enter either country, If I leave Canada and got refused entry to both countries, what is going to happen to me? Am I just going to be stuck there in between?

Thanks in advance.

CBSA is generally refusing flagpoling right now, as it is not considered essential. If they refuse to process the study permit, you would be allowed back into Canada as a visitor.

Also note that it is harder to be approved if already in Canada as a visitor, as it shows you don't have strong ties to your own country.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hi I am not an US/Canadian citizen nor holding permanent residence to either country. I have visitor visas for both countries and I am currently staying in Montreal.
I am thinking of applying for a student visa and study permit within Canada, but I was told that I will have to leave and re-enter the country in order to renew my visa status. I heard that flagpoling at the border between the 2 countries seems a popular technique to do so. However, with the current travel restrictions, non-citizen will not be allowed to enter either country, If I leave Canada and got refused entry to both countries, what is going to happen to me? Am I just going to be stuck there in between?

Thanks in advance.

1. Here is what CBSA has posted.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Immigration services
Travel for the purpose of obtaining immigration services is non-essential. If you are in Canada, and are seeking to travel to the border in order to make an application for a work permit, study permit or permanent residence, you are asked to consider federal and provincial guidelines for self-isolation and social distancing. Do not travel to the border for these services until further notice. If you are currently in Canada as a visitor, student or worker, you can apply online to IRCC to extend your temporary resident status. By doing so, you can continue to stay, study or work in Canada while your application is being processed. This is referred to as implied status, and as long as you apply before your current document expires, your current immigration authorizations and conditions remain unchanged. In-Canada services are available through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

 

[canuck78]

You have to apply online to get a study permit but to a country outside Canada.