End of Flagpoling for Work and Study Permits: Important Information for UBC Postdoctoral Research Fellows
As of December 23, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has officially ended the practice of "flagpoling" for obtaining new work and study permits at Canadian ports of entry. Flagpoling allowed temporary residents—such as foreign workers and international students—to briefly exit and re-enter Canada to apply for permits directly at the border, bypassing online processing times.
What this means for Postdoctoral Research Fellows at UBC:
- If you are a foreign national postdoctoral fellow already in Canada, you must now submit your work permit application online through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Plan ahead for your work permit renewal, as processing times may be longer than before.
- Submit your application as early as possible to avoid any interruptions to your work authorization.
Exceptions: Limited exceptions apply, such as for U.S. citizens, international truck drivers, and professionals covered under specific trade agreements.
For more information:
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) – News Release on December 23, 2024
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Work permit: Who can apply
If you have been provided with a new LMIA exemption number for a work permit application and have not received guidance from the Central HR Immigration team in Vancouver (Immigration.Help@ubc.ca) or the HR Immigration Consultant in the Okanagan (Trisha.Kasawski@ubc.ca), please contact the appropriate team for assistance before you proceed.