In recent years, Canada’s immigration policies have been characterized by their ability to change. There have been frequent changes to the policy that have had ramifications felt across the immigration landscape, including in areas such as student visas, express entry, family immigration, work permits, and more. In 2025, the status quo regarding changes in policy will likely continue, as Canada’s immigration landscape continues to evolve in the wake of the rapid change that occurred during and after the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, updates to Canada’s border policy with the United States have been at the forefront of the Canadian Government’s focus on immigration policy amendments.
The Government of Canada is considering making a large investment into the Canada-United States border. Reportedly, the government is considering a plan to invest $1 billion into border security. This would include increasing the number of officers at the border and providing Canadian Border Services with more equipment, such as drones and helicopters.
Increasing border funding should aid in Canada’s relationship with the United States by keeping the border more secure. Further, the Canadian government is worried about an increase in migrant crossing to Canada from the United States as a result of the incoming change in administration in the United States. It is possible that laws regarding asylum may change in order to help the Canadian Government return migrants to their countries of origin. However at this point, the laws have not changed, so this may be a plan for 2025.
Another project that might be funded includes opening centers near large population centres in Canada that can assist people with immigration services in light of the change to flagpoling.
In light of the recent comments regarding an increase in funding for the Canada-United States border, there have also been some austerity measures put in place that will save both the United States and Canada money on maintaining the shared border. Canada and the United States have committed to shortening the hours of operation at land ports of entry between the two countries.
There may be additional pressure on the current Canadian Government to try and save more money at the border, considering the recent impact of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement in which it was reported that the Canadian Government overspent its own deficit target by more than 20 billion dollars. However, the incentive to reduce government spending has to be balanced by the government with the pressing matter of border security and the potential for an increase in crossings at the border with the United States. With a federal election looming in 2025, the current government may seek to make more policy changes in anticipation of election day. It is possible that this pressure may have led to the decision to change flagpoling.
On December 23, 2024, the Government of Canada announced that flagpoling for work and study permits at the border is no longer available as of December 23, 2024.
Flagpoling is a method by which temporary residents of Canada can avoid having to endure the wait times associated with applying online for work permits and study permits by leaving Canada for the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon and then re-entering Canada. This allows the person re-entering Canada to access immigration services at the Canadian border, thereby receiving same-day immigration service and bypassing the need to apply online.
Flagpoling is considered by some to be a loophole for making immigration applications because it allows applicants to skip the regular process of renewing permits and receive expedited service. While flagpoling is advantageous for those who are able to benefit from the expedited service it provides, it has negative impacts on the function of the border in general.
The negative aspects of flagpoling were expounded upon by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller:
“A strong Canada-U.S. relationship keeps people and goods moving safely while protecting both sides of the border. Flagpoling is unnecessary and diverts resources from critical enforcement activities. This change will ease border congestion, improve fairness for applicants, and enhance the efficiency and security of our borders.”
Ending flagpoling will likely improve the situation at the Canada-United States border as people will not be leaving Canada and re-entering anymore for the sole purpose of accessing immigration services. Canadian border services estimates there were almost 70,000 people who were processed accessing flagpole services from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. This number includes flagpoling requests from across Canada, even though most flagpoling occurred in the Pacific, Southern Ontario, and Quebec regions. Further, the backlog of immigration applications may increase as a result of flagpoling no longer being available, resulting in longer waits for application resolution.
There are a few limited exceptions to the flagpoling ban. According to the Canadian Border Services Agency the people who can still flagpole are:
Despite exceptions, flagpoliging will be greatly reduced. The temporary residents who would be able to renew their work or study permits through flagpoling at the border will most likely have to apply for renewal through another method, such as applying online, after the Canadian Government ends flagpoling. It is possible that the Canadian Government will pursue tentative plans to open visa service centers in Canada. This would allow people to access the in-person service that flagpoling afforded without leaving Canada. This would relieve the potential backlog problem that may result now that flagpoling has ended and provide people with a faster resolution to their immigration applications.
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