What is Flagpoling?

Flagpoling is the term used when a foregin national, who is already inside Canada, leaves Canada and returns back without actually crossing into the United States.

Why do they do this?

This is done to obtain a new status such as from, being a visitor to getting a Study or Work permit, or to complete the Permanent Residence process.

Usually, an application through paper or online takes weeks, if not, months to obtain an answer. If you don't have this amount of time, you can go to a border and process your application immidiately. By flagpoling, a candidate present him/herself at the Canadian Port of Entry, and are processed in, normally, less than 30 minutes.

Who can Flagpole?

Flagpoling can be used by:

• Visitor Visa Holder
• International Students
• Work Permit Holders
• Permanent Resident Holders

They can use flagpoling to renew their permits. They would just need to bring their documentation to the Canada border and have their case processed at the border.

Flagpoling can also be used by temporary residents of Canada to validate Permanent Resident status. This can be an alternative to waiting months for an appointment with the IRCC.

But since the release of the public policy "Allowing certain visitors in Canada to apply for a work permit", this has been more commonly used by visitors in Canada to apply for a Work Permit after successfully obtaining a job offer, with LMIA. Please let me emphasize, it can't be just any job offer, it needs to be supported with an LMIA just like any job offered to a foreign national.

Why Shouldn’t I Use Flagpoling?

The first hurdle on flagpoling is actually getting to the border. If you live near the border and own a car, this isn’t a difficult task but if not, it can be an expensive trip. You have to visit the US as part of the flagpoling process. If you are not admissible to the US then you will not be able to complete the flagpoling process. There is also the risk of being caught between both countries, denied entry to Canada and the US.

Documents Required

Work Permit Application

Prepare the following documents for the work permit flagpoling: 

• LMIA CONFIRMATION LETTER
• JOB CONTRACT WITH BOTH SIGNATURE OF THE APPLICANT AND EMPLOYER
• MEDICAL
• PASSPORT + UNEXPIRED TOURIST VISA
• DIPLOMA (COLLEGE or HS)

When your documents are okay after verification, the officer would tell you to pay at the cashier amounting $155.

The officer will print out your work permit after you pay which means YOU’RE APPROVED. 

Reminder: Be honest and humble when answering those questions.

Work Permit Application Credits to : Anonymous member of Filipino Aspirants to Canada

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Shared experiences

Here are some experience shared by members of our group, Filipino Aspirants to Canada.

by : Anonymous member of Filipino Aspirants to Canada

1. When you get to the border tell the officers na you are there for Flagpoling. USA IO will tell you to go inside their office para mabigyan kayo ng refusal letter. And they will also get your biometrics. 

(For me, helpful yung part ng pagpunta sa USA IO kasi makakalma kayo kahit pano haha. Super nice pa ng US IO, i had a small talk with him while he’s taking all my fingerprints) 

2. IO will give you instructions how to get back to Canada border. Same thing papasok kayo sa office. I had to wait for a few minutes din kasi nag dinner break yung IO na nag-interview sakin. https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/td0/1/16/1f602.png

Docs checklist that i prepared: 

• Visitor Record ( you only need this if you stayed longer that 6months) 

• LMIA 

• Job Offer Letter 

• Job Contract 

• proof of legitimacy ng business ng employer niyo

• Medical

• Resume 

• Employment history COE, contracts etc. 

• NBI, PSA, TOR 

Documents Checklist that the CA IO showed me and eto mga hiningi nya from me: 

• LMIA, Job offer letter and Contract

• Medical

• Qualifications to prove na pwede ka for the work

• IELTS (okay lang wala neto) 

Before proceeding IO will asked you if you can provide all the docs and he explained na once paid ka na ng $155 non refundable pag refused. 

3. Go to cashier and pay $155 

4. Questions: NV, 

How long have you been here? 

Why did you change your purpose of coming here as a tourist, now you want to work? 

What is the difference between Canada and Philippines? What made you say that life is better here? (This question is based on my answer😭so think about carefully the way you answer para hindi na dagdagan ni officer question lol) 

How are you funding yourself? 

I was with my bestfriend, siya sponsor ko, she helped me all throughout this journey 🥹, IO asked some questions related to her

Do you have a canadian bank account? I do, so the IO took my phone and checked my bank transactions. 

[my takeaway from that scenario, is i think the IO is checking if may nare-receive bang payment from an employer. So BEST ADVISE SA MGA TOURIST DITO, don’t work until you get your WP. But i know some of us have no choice, if you have part-time job make sure everything is cash] 

After that the IO told me to sit and wait. And when he called me again, he finally gave my WORK PERMIT😭🙏

I tried my best na ikwento yung whole experience ko para may idea kayo. Salamat sa bestfriend ko for driving to the border with me💓 6pm pala kami nagpunta. Be honest lang. Mafe-feel naman ng IO if genuine kayo. Last, don’t forget to PRAY.

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by : another Anonymous member of Filipino Aspirants to Canada

Successful Flagpoling (Visit Visa to Work Permit) just today at Emerson border. Very strict mga officer kaya be ready sa mga sagot niyo.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it possible to do flagpoling even if already applied work permit online?

You can by canceling/ deleting your exisiting application and do flagpoling as usual.