Immigration & Work Permit Guides

Detailed procedures on the land-border flagpolling ban, bridging open work permits, and maintained status boundaries.

⚠️ Official Flagpolling Ban (In Effect Since Dec 23, 2024):The Government of Canada and CBSA have officially ended flagpolling for study/work permit extensions at all land borders. In-Canada applicants can no longer travel to the U.S. border to process permits. You must apply online via the IRCC secure portal. Attempting to flagpole without a valid exemption will result in being turned away and can negatively impact your immigration file.

Flagpolling: Rules & Exemption Criteria

Flagpolling is the process where a temporary resident leaves Canada, crosses the US border, receives an administrative entry refusal from U.S. CBP, and immediately returns to Canada to get their permit processed by a CBSA officer. This was historically used to bypass long online processing times.

To reduce border congestion and allow CBSA officers to focus on enforcement, the practice was banned. Only the following very narrow groups remain exempt and can still process permits at a land border:

🇺🇸 U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs / Green Card holders).
💼 FTA Professionals: Technicians and professionals covered under specific Free Trade Agreements (USMCA/CUSMA, Chile, Peru, Colombia, South Korea).
🚚 Commercial Drivers: International truck drivers who hold work permits and are required to cross borders for work.
📅 Pre-Arranged Appointments: Individuals who have booked a physical appointment directly with the CBSA for permit services.

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

If you have submitted an application for Permanent Residency (PR) and your current work permit is expiring, you can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP). This allows you to continue working legally while your PR application is being processed.

Eligibility Criteria:

You must currently reside in Canada.
You must hold a valid work permit, be on maintained status, or be eligible for restoration of status.
You must be the principal applicant on a PR application under an eligible class (Express Entry: FSWP, CEC, FSTP; or PNP; or Agri-Food Pilot).
You must have received your official Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC. *(Note: Under a temporary 2026 measure, PNP applicants can apply for a BOWP without an AOR by showing proof of PR application submission and fees paid).*

BOWP Fee Structure (2026):

Fee Component	Amount ($ CAD)
Work Permit Processing Fee	$155
Open Work Permit Holder Fee	$100
Total Fee	$255

Maintained Status (Implied Status)

If you submit an online application to extend your work or study permit before your current permit expires, you automatically enter Maintained Status. You are legally authorized to continue working or studying under the exact same conditions as your original permit while you wait for IRCC's decision.

Travel Warning: Maintained status only remains valid as long as you remain inside Canada. If you leave Canada, your maintained status is immediately voided. Upon returning, you may be allowed to re-enter as a visitor, but you cannot resume working or studying until your new permit is officially approved.

Immigration FAQ

If you applied for your BOWP before your current permit expired, you are covered by **Maintained Status**. You can legally continue working for your employer under the same conditions until a decision is made on your BOWP.

No, unless you meet one of the strict exemptions (such as being a U.S. citizen). The flagpolling ban is absolute at all land borders, and attempting to flagpole will result in refusal by border services. Always apply online via the IRCC Portal.

You lose your status immediately and must stop working. You have a **90-day grace period** to apply to IRCC to restore your status as a temporary resident. You cannot work or study during the restoration processing period.

Immigration Tools

Processing Time Note

Online work permit extension applications currently take 120–160 days. Maintained status ensures you can work without interruption throughout this entire processing period, as long as you do not leave Canada.