Maple News reports that for newcomers to Canada, selecting a credit card is one of the most important early financial decisions. A well-chosen credit card can help manage everyday spending and build a healthy credit history—an essential step toward future financial stability, whether you’re planning to rent an apartment, apply […]
Year: 2023
Canada Opens 2024 International Experience Canada Pool for Youth Work Permits
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially opened the 2024 International Experience Canada (IEC) pool, offering young people from over 30 partner countries the chance to live and work in Canada. This year, the program will welcome up to 90,000 participants looking to gain valuable […]
Returning to Canada: Essential Travel Documents and Expert Tips for a Smooth Re-entry
As the year draws to a close, many international students, temporary workers, and permanent residents in Canada plan trips abroad—often for the first time since settling in the country. Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or traveling for other reasons, it’s crucial to prepare before returning to Canada to […]
Canada Doubles Financial Threshold for International Students in 2024
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is significantly increasing the cost-of-living financial requirement for international students applying for study permits, with the new threshold taking effect on January 1, 2024. Under the revised policy, single applicants will be required to demonstrate access to $20,635, in addition […]
Canada Issues 5,900 Invitations in STEM-Targeted Express Entry Draw as IRCC Accelerates Selections
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 5,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a special Express Entry draw focused on candidates with professional experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This category-based selection required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481. […]
Top 20 Most Welcoming Canadian Cities for Newcomers in 2024, Ranked by Livability
Maple News reports that a new nationwide study has identified the top 20 Canadian cities that offer the best quality of life for newcomers. The ranking, conducted by The Globe and Mail, assessed 439 municipalities across the country and is specifically tailored to immigrants who have arrived in Canada within […]
Canada’s Job Market Faces Pressure as Unemployment Rises and Key Sectors Falter
Maple News reports that Canada’s national unemployment rate climbed to 5.8% in November 2023 — its fifth consecutive monthly increase — even as total employment remained virtually unchanged. According to the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) by Statistics Canada, equal numbers of job gains and losses have offset each other, […]
British Columbia Forecasts One Million Job Openings by 2033, Immigration to Play Key Role
Maple News reports that British Columbia is set to experience a major surge in employment opportunities, with a projected one million job openings over the next decade. This forecast, detailed in the province’s latest Labour Market Outlook report, highlights both the challenges and opportunities shaping BC’s workforce by 2033. Approximately […]
Canada’s Off-Campus Work Limit for International Students Set to Expire—Will It Be Extended?
Maple News reports that as 2023 winds down, international students in Canada are closely watching to see whether a temporary policy that allows them to work full-time off-campus will be extended—or left to expire on December 31. Originally introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in October 2022 to […]
Internal Review Highlights Decision-Making Challenges at IRCC
Maple News reports that a recent internal review led by former Deputy Minister of Immigration, Neil Yeates, has revealed notable inefficiencies within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), particularly around its decision-making structure. The report focuses on the operations of IRCC’s internal committees, which play a key role in shaping […]
SAIT Launches Global Student Ambassador Program to Support International Learners
Maple News reports that the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has launched a dynamic new initiative aimed at helping international students transition smoothly into life and study in Canada. The Global Student Ambassador Program offers prospective international students the opportunity to connect directly with current SAIT students who have […]
Ontario, B.C., Quebec, Manitoba, and PEI Issue New Provincial Immigration Invitations
Maple News reports that five Canadian provinces—Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island—have issued fresh invitations to immigration candidates in the latest round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and provincial selection draws carried out between November 25 and December 1. The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories, […]
Surging Nigerian Student Enrollments Strengthen Canada’s International Education Landscape
Maple News reports a sharp increase in the number of Nigerian students choosing Canada as their study destination—solidifying Nigeria’s role as a cornerstone in the evolving success of Canada’s international education sector. In 2019, just over 3,000 Canadian study permits were granted to Nigerian nationals. Those numbers have grown significantly, […]
How IRCC Determines the Timing of Express Entry Draws
Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system has seen significant changes in how immigration draws are scheduled, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, the process followed a relatively predictable rhythm, providing consistency and clarity for hopeful applicants. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) typically held […]
Canada Increases Inadmissibility Application Fees Starting December 1, 2023
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented new fee adjustments for individuals seeking to return to Canada or restore their status after being deemed inadmissible. Effective December 1, 2023, application fees for such individuals have increased in accordance with federal legislation. This change affects applications […]
Canada Braces for Milder Winter in the West, Harsher Cold in the East Due to Major El Niño Event
Maple News reports that Canadians can expect an unpredictable winter ahead, as meteorologists confirm the arrival of one of the strongest El Niño events in recent years. The phenomenon is likely to reshape weather across the country—bringing a milder winter to some regions and a harsher season to others. El […]