The Canadian government announced a change to the PGWP application process to reduce "flagpoling."

The Canadian government has announced a change to the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application process in order to reduce "flagpoling," which involves bypassing normal wait times by leaving and re-entering the country for same-day immigration services.

This change aims to increase fairness among applicants and reduce the burden on border services officers. The government is also taking measures to encourage applicants to apply in Canada rather than flagpole, including improving processing times and modernizing the application process. The change is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the shared border with the United States. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, emphasized that while the government supports international graduates' contributions to Canada's labor market, flagpoling is unnecessary and takes officers away from their crucial role in protecting the safety, security, and prosperity of Canadians and Americans.

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, highlighted the undue burden that flagpoling places on border services officers and emphasized the government's measured approach to combatting the issue. In addition to the change to the PGWP application process, recent measures to address flagpoling have included reducing flagpoling hours at 12 ports of entry across Canada, speeding up processing times for in-Canada work permit applications, simplifying online application forms and processes, and authorizing workers to start working for a new employer right away. These measures aim to allow border services officers to efficiently process the large volume of travelers in peak periods and focus on other key priorities, including high-risk travelers and trade facilitation.

Overall, the Canadian government's efforts to reduce flagpoling and improve the immigration system are part of a broader strategy to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the shared border with the United States, benefiting both nations.

Source: Canada.ca