Maple News reports that Canada is expanding licensing requirements for internationally trained lawyers seeking accreditation in Canadian common-law jurisdictions. Effective March 1, 2026, the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) added two new prerequisites: mandatory language screening and a stand-alone Indigenous Law and Peoples knowledge requirement. All other NCA requirements for […]
Maple News Explains Why Older Express Entry Profiles Often Win ITA Draws
Maple News reports that meeting the CRS cut-off alone does not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry. The timing of when you submit your profile can significantly influence your chances, because IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule in certain draws. IRCC conducts periodic Express Entry draws, […]
Alberta Targets Rural Talent and Health-Tech Workers in Latest AAIP Draws
Maple News reports that Alberta conducted six draws under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) from February 26 through March, issuing more than 1,400 invitations. Invitations were spread across multiple streams: the Alberta Opportunity Stream; Rural Renewal Stream; Alberta Express Entry Stream – Priority Sectors (Health Care); Alberta Express Entry […]
Ontario FCIP Regions Reveal 2026 Priority Occupations for French-Speaking Immigrants
Maple News reports that Ontario’s three FCIP regions—Timmins, Sudbury, and the Superior East Region—have published their 2026 priority sectors and occupations, updating eligibility to reflect shifting local labor needs. Each region removed some occupations from eligibility and added new roles that align with evolving workforce demand. To qualify under the […]
Canada slides to 25th in the 2026 World Happiness Report
Maple News reports that Canada ranked 25th out of 147 countries in the 2026 World Happiness Report, a global index that assesses well-being by nation. This year’s results place Canada two positions behind the United States, with Poland at 24th and Taiwan at 26th appearing nearby on the list. The […]
Canada Expands Permanent Residency Pathway for Francophone Students
Maple News reports that Canada is expanding a pathway to permanent residency for francophone international students and graduates. The new initiative centers on Université de Hearst, a public French-language institution in Hearst, Ontario, which will offer a voluntary program integrated into the university curriculum to guide international students and graduates […]
Express Entry high-scorers near 9,000 as March ITA surge reshapes pool, Maple News reports
Maple News reports that the Express Entry candidate pool continued its downward trajectory, with 1,172 profiles exiting between March 1 and March 15, 2026. The two-week move eased competition ahead of a wave of March invitations, but the snapshot captures only part of the shifting landscape. The largest dip occurred […]
Canada Tightens Rules for Working Without a Permit: New Guidance for Business Visitors
Maple News reports that Canada has released updated guidance for foreign nationals seeking entry under the work permit exemption for business visitors, clarifying that the rules are clearer but the list of qualifying scenarios is not exhaustive. The changes were published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on March 19, […]
Ontario Invites Master’s and PhD Graduates to Provincial Nominee Program Draws, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to apply on March 18 under the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams — the first ITAs issued under these streams since September 2024. The province targeted more than 1,100 international student graduates with Canadian work experience in in-demand […]
Banking Essentials for New Canadians: A Practical Guide
Maple News reports that arriving in Canada comes with a range of everyday tasks—from finding a place to live to setting up a phone plan and accessing essential services. Opening a bank account is often one of the first steps in establishing your financial footing. Canadian banking can differ from […]
Five Practical Tips That Helped Me Land My First Job in Canada
Maple News reports that moving countries is tough, and finding work while settling into a new home can amplify that challenge. When I arrived in Canada in 2022 as a permanent resident with no job lined up, I had to relearn the labor market, adapt to a Canadian resume style, […]
New to Canada? A Practical Starter Guide to Banking
Maple News reports that arriving in Canada brings a flurry of essential tasks—from housing and phone plans to setting up services. Opening a bank account is often one of the first steps newcomers take to establish financial footing and manage everyday expenses. Banking in Canada can differ from what you’re […]
IRCC Backlog Drops Under 1 Million as Work Permit Wait Times Ease, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that IRCC’s total application backlog fell to 990,300 as of January 31, the first time it slipped below one million since October 2025, helped by easing work permit wait times. The update also highlights notable shifts across streams, with the study permit backlog up 14 percent, the […]
Express Entry: Cut-off dips below 400 in latest French-language draw, 4,000 ITAs issued
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a recent Express Entry draw focused on French-language proficiency, dated March 18, 2026. To be eligible in this draw, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 393 and had to […]
The Real Timeline for Canadian Citizenship: Why the Process Can Take Longer Than You Think
Maple News reports that the path to Canadian citizenship through naturalization is a multi-year journey, typically extending beyond four years from start to finish. Much of that time is attributable to meeting the physical presence requirement and the processing of the citizenship application. The process is broken into clear stages, […]
Criminal Record Could Derail Your Canada Trip This Spring — What You Need to Know
Maple News reports that travelers planning to enter Canada this spring risk being denied entry if they have a criminal record, even for minor offences. Border officers review applicants’ histories to assess admissibility, and a record from another country does not automatically guarantee entry into Canada. One potential avenue to […]