Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its second Express Entry draw of the week on March 21, 2025, inviting 7,500 new candidates. This draw, focused on French-speaking applicants, represents the largest category-based invitation round of the year dedicated to French language proficiency. To be eligible […]
Month: March 2025
BC and PEI Target Entrepreneurs and Skilled Workers in Latest Immigration Draws
Maple News reports that British Columbia and Prince Edward Island have both issued new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) this week, offering fresh opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs and skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada. British Columbia (BC) focused on attracting experienced foreign entrepreneurs under […]
IRCC Cuts Immigration Backlog by Nearly 8%, Continuing Downward Trend
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made substantial progress in reducing its immigration backlog, reflecting continued momentum in streamlining application processing. As of February 28, 2025, the immigration backlog had decreased to 821,200 applications—a 7.95% reduction from the 892,100 cases pending in January. This marks […]
Could Jasmine Mooney’s U.S. Detention Happen at a Canadian Border?
Maple News reports growing international concern following the detention of Canadian citizen Jasmine Mooney by U.S. border authorities—a case that has sparked widespread discussion on immigration detainment practices. Mooney, who sought entry into the United States through the San Diego border to apply for a work permit, was held in […]
Canada Introduces Study Permit Exemption for Foreign Workers in Construction Apprenticeships
Maple News reports that Canada has launched a new temporary exemption from study permits for certain foreign nationals seeking to advance their careers in the construction sector. Under this policy, eligible temporary foreign workers will be allowed to participate in apprenticeship training without needing to apply for a separate study […]
Canada Launches New PR and Training Pathways to Support Construction Sector
Maple News reports that Canada has introduced significant updates to its immigration policy aimed at bolstering the national construction workforce. The changes, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on March 7, 2025, from Woodbridge, Ontario, include a new pathway to permanent residence for undocumented construction workers and a game-changing shift […]
How Pre-Arrival Support Programs Help Immigrants Settle Before Landing in Canada
Maple News reports that thousands of future immigrants to Canada are receiving vital support even before stepping foot in the country, thanks to pre-arrival services like the Planning for Canada (PfC) program. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these services aim to equip approved newcomers with critical knowledge […]
PGWP Expiring? Here’s How to Keep Working in Canada Legally
Maple News reports that thousands of international graduates in Canada face a critical question each year: what happens when their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) expires? While the PGWP offers temporary work rights to recent graduates of Canadian institutions, it is non-renewable, prompting many to explore alternative pathways to continue living […]
Canada Unveils Permanent Residency Pilot for Home Care Workers, Sets 2025 Intake Target
Maple News reports that Canada has outlined new admissions targets under its recently launched Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP), aiming to grant permanent residency to 2,750 home care professionals in 2025. Speaking at a press conference on March 8, Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted that out of the total […]
Canada Eases Work Permit Rules for College Bachelor’s Degree Holders
Maple News reports that Canada has updated its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy to remove field of study restrictions for international graduates holding bachelor’s degrees from Canadian colleges. This change, effective from March 2025, aligns college bachelor’s graduates with their university counterparts, who were already exempt from program-specific occupation requirements. […]
Canada Introduces Temporary Citizenship Pathway for ‘Lost Canadians’
Maple News reports that the Canadian government has announced new interim measures to extend citizenship to individuals previously excluded by the controversial ‘first-generation limit’ (FGL) in the Citizenship Act. These updates offer a temporary solution while the government works to amend the law formally. The first-generation limit, introduced in 2009, […]
Navigating Spousal Sponsorship for Canadian Permanent Residence: What Couples Need to Know
Maple News reports that Canada’s spousal sponsorship program remains one of the most straightforward pathways to permanent residency for couples looking to build their future in the country. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to sponsor their spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner for permanent resident (PR) status, provided they […]
Canada Holds Third Express Entry Draw in March, Invites 536 PNP Candidates
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third Express Entry draw of March 2025, issuing 536 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This draw targeted individuals who had secured a provincial nomination, which automatically boosts their Comprehensive Ranking […]
Deadline Extended Again for Changes to Canadian Citizenship by Descent Rules
Maple News reports that the Canadian federal government has once again received an extension to amend the country’s Citizenship Act, specifically concerning the contentious first-generation limit (FGL) for citizenship by descent. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the extension on March 13, 2025, giving the government until April 25, […]
New Brunswick Opens 2025 Immigration with Targeted Skilled Worker Draws
Maple News reports that on March 5 and 6, 2025, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) held its first official immigration draws of the year. These selections focused on skilled foreign workers who have experience or education aligned with New Brunswick’s key labor market needs. The latest draws took […]
Rising Scam Alert: How to Identify Fraudsters Posing as Canadian Government Officials
Maple News reports that impersonation fraud is one of the fastest-growing scams in Canada, costing residents an alarming $638 million in 2024 alone. For newcomers, the risk is especially high, as scammers increasingly pretend to be representatives from key government agencies such as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Service Canada, […]