Southern Ontario Ports of Entry Application Submission Window Restricted

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has advised that effective May 2, 2017, the ports of entry in the Southern Ontario Region (Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge, and Fort Erie Peace Bridge) are no longer accepting work permit applications on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays.

These ports are also not allowing foreign nationals to leave Canada for the sole purpose of crossing the U.S. border and returning to Canada (known as "flagpoling") to complete the Permanent Residence landing procedures on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals who attempt either process on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or Mondays will have their examinations deferred and will be re-directed to return on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Foreign nationals who need to travel to Canada to submit a work permit application or complete their Permanent Residence landing procedures should contact their Fragomen immigration professional.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].