Maple News reports that Canada has appointed a new Immigration Minister as part of a major cabinet reshuffle ahead of the upcoming 2025 federal election. Rachel Bendayan, the Member of Parliament for Outremont, Quebec, will assume leadership of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), replacing Marc Miller, who served in […]
Month: March 2025
Mark Carney Proposes Capping Immigration to Address Canada’s Housing and Social Services Crisis
Maple News reports that Mark Carney, the presumed next Prime Minister of Canada, is signaling a significant shift in the country’s immigration strategy. While a long-time advocate for immigration as a driver of economic growth, Carney has recently taken a more cautious stance, proposing a cap on immigration levels until […]
Ontario Narrows Immigration Invitations Amid 2025 Provincial Quota Cuts
Maple News reports that Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (OINP) has issued only four Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence so far in 2025—significantly fewer than the 14,760 issued during the first two months of 2024. This significant drop aligns with a wider trend across Canada, as provinces adjust to […]
Super Visa Offers Flexible Path for Parents and Grandparents to Join Family in Canada
Maple News reports that the Super Visa program remains a viable and popular solution for Canadian citizens and permanent residents wishing to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada for extended stays—especially as the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains closed to new applications since 2020. Unlike the PGP, which […]
Who Must File Taxes in Canada? What Newcomers and Temporary Residents Need to Know
Maple News reports that most individuals who earned income and maintained residential ties to Canada in 2024 are required to file a Canadian income tax return by April 30, 2025. This includes a wide range of people—not just Canadian citizens and permanent residents, but also many foreign workers, international students, […]
How to Secure a Bridging Open Work Permit in Canada
Maple News reports that the Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) is a valuable tool for foreign nationals in Canada who are awaiting a decision on their permanent residence (PR) application. BOWPs allow eligible applicants with temporary resident status to continue working legally in Canada while their immigration status is finalized. […]
PGWP Expiring? How to Transition to a TFWP Employer-Specific Work Permit
If your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is coming to an end, it doesn’t necessarily mean your time working in Canada has to. According to Maple News, many international graduates have the option to remain in the country and continue their employment by transitioning to a work permit under the Temporary […]
Manitoba and Alberta Extend Fresh Invitations Through Provincial Immigration Streams
Maple News reports that the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta have issued new invitations to candidates seeking Canadian permanent residence through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). In an immigration update spanning from February through early March, Manitoba issued a total of 111 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under […]
Canada Expands Express Entry with New Education-Focused Category
Maple News reports that Canada has officially introduced a new education-focused category within the Express Entry system, offering a promising new immigration pathway for international educators and early childhood professionals seeking permanent residency. As of February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched a dedicated category under […]
Canada to Resume Sending PR Invitations for Parents and Grandparents in 2025
Maple News reports that Canada will resume inviting individuals to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in 2025 under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). According to an announcement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on March 7, 2025, invitations to apply (ITAs) will be extended to […]
IRCC Invites 4,500 French-Speaking Candidates in Lowest-Scoring Express Entry Draw Since August 2024
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 4,500 French-speaking candidates to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system. The draw, held on March 6, 2025, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of just 410—the lowest cut-off in a French-language category-based draw […]
Canada’s Express Entry Surge: February 2025 Sees Record Invitations, Focus on CEC and French Speakers
Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system has gained momentum in early 2025, with a significant increase in Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in the month of February. Over 17,000 ITAs have been sent out during the first two months of the year as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada […]
New Brunswick Reopens Two Express Entry-Aligned Immigration Pathways for 2025
Maple News reports that starting March 5, 2025, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) will reopen intake for two enhanced immigration streams aligned with Canada’s Express Entry system. These streams — the Employment in New Brunswick pathway and the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream (formerly referred to as the […]
Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot Reaches Capacity, Closing Path to New Permanent Residency Applications
Maple News reports that Canada’s Agri-Food Immigration Pilot has officially closed to new applicants, marking the end of a significant pathway to permanent residency for foreign workers in the agriculture and food processing sectors. As of February 13, 2025, the pilot reached its full quota of applications for the year, […]
Canada Increases Visitor Visa Scrutiny: How to Strengthen Your Application
Maple News reports a significant rise in visitor visa refusals to Canada, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller confirming a current rejection rate of over 61% for applicants from certain countries. The increase stems from new policies aimed at reinforcing Canada’s border security and immigration integrity. For individuals planning to visit […]
Canada Extends Special Open Work Permit Policy for Iranians Until 2026
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended its special temporary public policy that allows eligible Iranian nationals in Canada to apply for open work permits and initial study permits under relaxed conditions. The extension pushes the policy’s expiration date to February 28, 2026, providing continued […]