The future of flag poling - possibly coming to an end

[gsingh3888]

I work in immigration and I've helped clients with flag poling within Ontario at the Fort Erie border as well as the Niagara Falls border.

As of lately, no matter how early I show up, they're closed. Yesterday I arrived at the US side at 7am and they let us out of the building just before 8am. I got to the Canadian border at 8am but due to the line up, I couldn't speak to the officer until close to 8:30am. I was hopeful that my client can get his work permit or that we'll be allowed inside the building at least. The officer said its closed because too many people came at once. This is the same excuse I keep getting.

This never used to be an issue as long as you go early on one of the designated flag poling days (Tues-Thurs). I have a feeling that they will close this loophole eventually. They already stopped issuing the PGWPs at the border and I feel like any type of work permit applications will cease in the future.

What do you all think?

 

[CanGoldDigger]

Yep, that's true.

 

[TSQUARE]

When you apply for an Australia work permit, student visa or any kind of visa, it doesn't matter how many years the visa/work permit will last for, everything is done online, no face to face interviews and all visas / work permits are either granted or denied by email. You must receive your visa before landing. It makes a lot of sense. You don't have any business at the port of entry / airport with border services as per visa / work permit grant.

 

[scylla]

I work in immigration and I've helped clients with flag poling within Ontario at the Fort Erie border as well as the Niagara Falls border.

As of lately, no matter how early I show up, they're closed. Yesterday I arrived at the US side at 7am and they let us out of the building just before 8am. I got to the Canadian border at 8am but due to the line up, I couldn't speak to the officer until close to 8:30am. I was hopeful that my client can get his work permit or that we'll be allowed inside the building at least. The officer said its closed because too many people came at once. This is the same excuse I keep getting.

This never used to be an issue as long as you go early on one of the designated flag poling days (Tues-Thurs). I have a feeling that they will close this loophole eventually. They already stopped issuing the PGWPs at the border and I feel like any type of work permit applications will cease in the future.

What do you all think?

As you've said, they've shut down PGWP flagpoling already since flagpoling is taking up too many resources. If that doesn't address the issue, expect they'll crack down further and only allow those who are visa exempt to flagpole (and not for PGWPs). People are technically abusing the rules so feels like this has been coming for a while now.

 

[canuck78]

I work in immigration and I've helped clients with flag poling within Ontario at the Fort Erie border as well as the Niagara Falls border.

As of lately, no matter how early I show up, they're closed. Yesterday I arrived at the US side at 7am and they let us out of the building just before 8am. I got to the Canadian border at 8am but due to the line up, I couldn't speak to the officer until close to 8:30am. I was hopeful that my client can get his work permit or that we'll be allowed inside the building at least. The officer said its closed because too many people came at once. This is the same excuse I keep getting.

This never used to be an issue as long as you go early on one of the designated flag poling days (Tues-Thurs). I have a feeling that they will close this loophole eventually. They already stopped issuing the PGWPs at the border and I feel like any type of work permit applications will cease in the future.

What do you all think?

Not only taking up Canadian resources, US has been complaining about use of their resources especially NY and Michigan although Washington may also be complaining.