New requirement for telephone appointments for immigration requests at four land border ports in Quebec

To streamline processes and avoid long waiting hours, temporary residents seeking immigration services at four land border ports in Quebec must now schedule appointments by phone with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This new measure is implemented to improve the efficiency of processing requests and enhance the border experience. As a result, the popular “flagpoling” procedure, which involves a round-trip of less than 24 hours outside Canadian territory to obtain or validate immigration status at the land border, will no longer be possible at these Quebec points without an appointment.

Importance of Scheduling an Appointment

Scheduling an appointment is mandatory before presenting at the border to request services, such as a work permit. Without an appointment, a worker seeking a new work permit will face long waiting hours without ultimately receiving immigration services, making the entire process more stressful and less efficient. It is therefore crucial to plan and secure an appointment before traveling. Service hours for scheduling phone appointments are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. The available phone number is: 514-240-5679.

Choosing the Border Crossing

From Montreal, the nearest border crossings to obtain immigration services are:

• Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle (approximately 45-minute drive)
• Saint-Armand/Philipsburg (approximately 45-minute drive)

To check wait times at the Canada-U.S. border, it is recommended to visit the Canadian government website. Traveler flow data is updated hourly, allowing for better travel planning.

Appointment Hours

Here are the available appointment hours for the following border crossings in Quebec:

• Armstrong : Monday to Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.
• Saint-Armand/Philipsburg : Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle : Monday to Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.
• Stanstead (55) : Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recommendations

To optimize your experience and reduce wait times, we recommend arriving at the border in the morning. This helps avoid peak traffic and ensures adherence to your appointment time. Remember to bring all required documents, ensure you meet the conditions to return to the territory, and check the specific schedules and conditions of each border crossing in advance. Preparation is key to a smooth and hassle-free process.

Conclusion

The implementation of this new telephone appointment requirement for four land border ports in Quebec should improve the processing of immigration requests. By planning ahead and following recommendations, foreign workers needing immigration services at these points can avoid long waits and obtain their work permits efficiently and calmly.