Skip the Line at the Border: Access Immigration Services Online

Are you looking to renew your work or study permit, extend your temporary resident status, or confirm your permanent residence? Save time and hassle by utilizing Canada’s online immigration services. With a bit of planning, you can handle most immigration processes without visiting a port of entry. Whether you need to renew a work or study permit, extend your temporary resident status, or confirm your permanent residence, the virtual realm of immigration services has got you covered.

One of the key benefits of utilizing online services is the expedited processing time. By submitting your applications digitally, you open the door to receiving your new permits or approvals without unnecessary delays. We can say goodbye to the stress of waiting for paperwork to arrive in the mail – with online applications, your documents could be on their way to you before you know it.

For those requiring biometric information submission, the eServiceCanada Appointment Booking Tool provides a convenient solution.

While some may still opt for traditional border crossings for immigration services, the rise of “flagpoling” has shown that there is a better way. By avoiding long lineups and limited service hours at ports of entry, individuals can save valuable time and energy by opting for online solutions instead.

Benefits of Applying Online

Applying online for immigration services has several advantages. By renewing your work or study permit in advance, you can receive the new permit by mail before your current one expires. Even if there is a delay and your current permit expires while you are waiting for the new one, you can continue working or studying under “maintained status.”

Available Online Services:

• Becoming a permanent resident
• Extending temporary resident status
• Obtaining or renewing a work or study permit

Find and complete the necessary Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applications or forms online. For biometric information, book an appointment using the eServiceCanada Appointment Booking Tool or locate a nearby collection site. For more details, visit the Immigration and Citizenship section on the IRCC website.

Immigration Services at the Border

Some temporary residents engage in “flagpoling,” where they leave Canada and re-enter within 24 hours to receive immigration services. However, this can lead to long waits and the possibility of not being served within operating hours. Using IRCC’s online services is a more efficient alternative.

Flagpoling Locations and Hours

If you still prefer to visit a border crossing for immigration services, note the limited service hours starting May 30, 2024:

Quebec Region:

• Armstrong: Monday to Thursday, 12 pm to 7 pm
• Saint Armand/Philipsburg: Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm
• Saint Bernard-de-Lacolle: Monday to Thursday, 12 pm to 7 pm
• Stanstead Route 55: Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm

Southern Ontario Region:

• Fort Erie (Peace Bridge): Tuesday to Thursday, 8 am to midnight
• Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge: Tuesday to Thursday, 8 am to midnight
• Queenston-Lewiston Bridge: Tuesday to Thursday, 8 am to midnight

Pacific Region:

• Abbotsford-Huntingdon: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm
• Aldergrove: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm
• Boundary Bay: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm
• Douglas: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm
• Pacific Highway: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm

By taking advantage of online services, you can avoid the hassle of travelling and waiting at the border, ensuring a smoother and more efficient process for managing your immigration needs.