Some temporary residents of Canada leave and re-enter the country within 24 hours to receive immigration services, a practice known as “flagpoling.”
If you decide to visit a port of entry for immigration services, please be aware that there may be long lines, and you may not be seen before the end of service hours. We highly recommend using IRCC’s online services to avoid these delays.
Starting May 30, 2024, flagpoling services will be available at specific ports of entry in the Quebec, Southern Ontario, and Pacific regions. Below is the detailed schedule along with the Canadian cities associated with each border crossing.
Quebec Region
- Armstrong (Pointe-à-la-Croix)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 12 pm to 7 pm
- Saint Armand/Philipsburg (Saint Armand)
- Saint Bernard-de-Lacolle (Lacolle)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 12 pm to 7 pm
- Stanstead Route 55 (Stanstead)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 8 am to 5 pm
Also Read: Understanding PR Cards: A Comprehensive Guide for Permanent Residents in Canada
Southern Ontario Region
- Fort Erie (Peace Bridge, Fort Erie)
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 am to midnight
- Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls)
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 am to midnight
- Queenston-Lewiston Bridge (Queenston)
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 am to midnight
Pacific Region
- Abbotsford-Huntingdon (Abbotsford)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm
- Aldergrove (Aldergrove)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm
- Boundary Bay (Delta)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 2 pm
- Douglas (Surrey)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm
- Pacific Highway (Surrey)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 4 pm
These changes aim to provide more consistent and accessible flagpoling services across key regions in Canada. If you plan to use these services, ensure you visit during the specified times to avoid any inconvenience. For the best experience and to save time, it is considered best practice to apply online if you can.
If you apply online to renew your work or study permit in advance, you may receive your new one in the mail before the current one expires. If your current permit expires while you are waiting for your new one to be processed, you can continue to work or study as you will have “maintained status.”
Services Available Online
- Become a permanent resident
- Extend temporary resident status
- Obtain a new work or study permit
- Renew a work or study permit
For more information or further assistance, visit the official Source Link.
