A couple with an LMIA-approved closed work permit and a spousal open work permit application submitted online asked whether it was risky to flagpole (re-enter Canada at a land border) to try to get faster in-person processing while their online applications were still pending.
What the group advised:- Border officers are likely to decline to process your request at the port of entry (POE) if you already have an application in process online. Multiple members confirmed this applies both to first-time applications and to permit extensions with a new LMIA.
- You'll typically be told to wait for the online application to be processed rather than have it actioned at the border.
The practical takeaway: flagpoling generally doesn't help once you already have a matching application submitted online — officers point applicants back to that pending application rather than process a duplicate request in person.