The Canadian government has announced an end to the issuance of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the border.
Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said this in a statement on Friday.
According to him, this measure will help reduce ‘flagpoling’ – a situation when temporary residents of Canada bypass the normal wait times involved in applying for a work or study permit online by leaving the country and then immediately re-entering to receive same-day immigration services.
He said flagpoling uses significant resources at the border, taking officers away from enforcement activities, causing delays for travellers and slowing down the movement of goods.
“While we continue to support and recognize the contributions of international graduates to Canada’s labour market, ‘flagpoling’ is unnecessary.
“The time and effort required to process applications from ‘flagpolers’ takes officers on both sides of the border away from their crucial role in protecting the safety, security and prosperity of Canadians and Americans. This measure will help prevent this practice, while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system,” Miller said.
The statement revealed that from March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, PGWP applicants represented about one fifth of the foreign nationals who attempted to flagpole.
The change will increase fairness among applicants, the statement added.
