Flagpoling Closed

[dnsj21]

My wife is in Ontario Canada on a two years study permit starting this fall 2022. I have tried applying for an open work permit on my wife's study visa. I have gone to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge to flagpole and was told "flagpoling is closed."
I reached the CBSA at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge at about 9:15am. I was instructed to go inside the building CBSA building. Inside, an agent told me that "Flagpling is closed" and I could return about 7-8pm that same day. I return the prescribed time only to be told that "flagpoling is closed". This agent relied, she does not understand why someone would tell me to come back at that hour.

The next week I went to Fort Erie on a Tuesday morning at 8:21am and was told "flagpoling is closed". CBS agent said it was closed 4 minutes ago.
We back to Fort Erie on the following Wednesday morning at 8:33am and was told "flagpoling is closed". The agent said it closed 8:05 am.
We back to Fort Erie the following Thursday morning at 7:50am as was told "flagpoling is closed".
We back to Fort Erie on the following Thursday evening. We reached the CBSA at 4:30am and was told "flagpoling is closed".

I am missing something. I have attempted six (6) different times and the recurring responses are the same "flagpoling is closed."

If the CBSA office is not processing any flagpole application I would prefer they be honest about it. I would really want to know if I am unaware of something.

Help please !!!

 

[DesiPikachu]

6 times? Really? Why did you continue to try flagpoling at the same border point multiple times. Try Sarnia (Blue Water Bridge) and Sault Ste. Marie (Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge). If those 2 don't work out for you then just take a domestic flight to Vancouver and do it at Boundary Bay/Point Roberts.

I've yet to hear of a single person being told "flagpoling is closed" at Point Roberts.

 

[dnsj21]

@ DesiPikachu. Thanks for your quick response and suggestions. I am planning on visiting Rainbow bridge before I surrender to the online application. The online application takes too long and does not work in the best interests of myself, my wife and my children.

I read about people not being successful at Lewiston-Queenston and Rainbow bridge. I was really expecting Fort Erie to be the difference. It is what it is.

 

[DesiPikachu]

Try Vancouver. I know it's additional expenses for the flight and all - but treat that as a fee for getting expedited service. Point Roberts is connected to the airport through public transport - takes about an hour.

The waiting times for work work permits are actually expected to increase even more. I forget the link to the IRCC page but they had a page where they predict the waiting times over the coming months in graphs.

 

[dnsj21]

Thanks again for your suggestion. I am considering it but as you said it is additional expense especially right now.

After my six experiences I am actually scared of hearing the phrase "flagpoling is Closed".

One question though, if I should apply online now and then go to Roberts Point afterwards (when flights are cheaper) can I do flagpoling even with an active IRCC application for an OWP?

 

[scylla]

Thanks again for your suggestion. I am considering it but as you said it is additional expense especially right now.

After my six experiences I am actually scared of hearing the phrase "flagpoling is Closed".

One question though, if I should apply online now and then go to Roberts Point afterwards (when flights are cheaper) can I do flagpoling even with an active IRCC application for an OWP?

Yes, you can flagpole with an active OWP application.

 

[dnsj21]

Hello guys.

I went to Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls yesterday (Sept. 13, 2022) and got the work permit.

I reached the Canadian Boarder Service Agent at about 8:00 am. He said he is only giving TWO that day.

Thank God I was first in line.

 

[canuck78]

Hello guys.

I went to Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls yesterday (Sept. 13, 2022) and got the work permit.

I reached the Canadian Boarder Service Agent at about 8:00 am. He said he is only giving TWO that day.

Thank God I was first in line.

Due to demands at land borders I’m not surprised it is very difficult to flagpole. Flagpoling is essentially an additional role while the primary role is dealing with land border traffic from true visitors from the US.