Maple News

Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department has issued new intake instructions for proof-of-Canadian-citizenship certificates sought by Canadian citizens by descent applying from outside Canada and the United States. Under the new rules, overseas applications are subject only to a minimal completeness check before processing. Applicants will only have their […]

Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance on LMIA-exempt work permits issued under the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The update provides clearer rules for officers and applicants alike. The changes apply to professionals seeking entry under the […]

Maple News reports that millions of Americans may qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent. When applying for proof of citizenship, careful preparation can improve the odds of on-time processing and reduce the risk of delays, returns, or refusals. Maple News consulted Ala Bujac, a Canadian immigration lawyer at Cohen Immigration […]

Maple News reports a dramatic surge in requests at Prince Edward Island’s Public Archives and Records Office, driven by Americans seeking documents to prove Canadian ancestry after Bill C-3 removed the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. The change, which took effect on December 15, 2025, opens eligibility to descendants […]

Maple News reports that Canada is expanding flexibility for refugees seeking resettlement, clarifying that applicants are not required to present an exit permit or proof of legal status in their host country to have their application processed. The exemption applies under the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA) for issuing […]

Maple News reports that Canada’s processing time for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates has risen to about 12 months in the second quarter, following a major change to the Citizenship Act. The figure marks a sharp increase from July 2025, when the processing time was about five months. The surge […]

Maple News reports that the Canada Border Services Agency has permanently closed the Four Falls port of entry in New Brunswick. The crossing had previously operated seasonally and has been out of service since May 2020, when COVID-19 disruptions prompted temporary suspensions that were extended multiple times over the past […]

Maple News reports Elton John, a British citizen with deep personal and family ties to Canada, has publicly identified as Canadian by choice. The singer has partnered with Canadian filmmaker David Furnish for more than three decades, and the couple’s two children are Canadian citizens, underscoring the strength of his […]

Maple News reports that Americans planning to attend the 2026 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal (May 22–24) should be aware that a criminal record can lead to entry denial at the border. Canadian authorities apply Canadian law to foreign offences, which means some offenses that are minor in […]

Maple News reports that if at least one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent, regardless of where you were born. As a citizen by descent, you have the same rights as any Canadian citizen […]

Maple News reports a dramatic spike in genealogy-related requests in New Brunswick following Canada’s expansion of citizenship by descent. The surge has put provincial archives under pressure, with requests running roughly four times higher than in prior years. Bill C-3, which took effect on December 15, 2025, removed Canada’s first-generation […]

Maple News reports that Canada is expediting proof-of-citizenship certificates for Americans with Canadian ancestry, with particular attention to applicants who identify as transgender. The policy shift follows December changes to the Citizenship Act that removed the generational limit on citizenship transmission, broadening eligibility for descendants of Canadian citizens. This spring, […]