Maple News reports that the federal government announced on March 13 that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will introduce temporary measures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to help rural employers meet labour-market needs. From April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, rural employers will be able to […]
Month: March 2026
Manitoba PNP Issues 46 LAAs in Fifth 2026 Draw, Targeting Skilled Workers
Maple News reports that on March 12, 2026, Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its fifth immigration draw of the year, inviting candidates through the Skilled Worker Stream. Invitations were extended to applicants who indicated they were directly invited by the province as part of a strategic recruitment initiative or […]
Maple News: British Columbia PNP Invites Entrepreneurs in Dual-Stream Draw
Maple News reports that British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program conducted a recent selection round under its Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Program, inviting candidates to apply for provincial nomination through both the Base and Regional streams. Invitations were extended to qualified entrepreneurs aiming to start a new business or acquire and grow […]
St-Pierre-Jolys Names 2026 FCIP Priority Sectors and Occupations for Francophone Immigration
Maple News reports that St-Pierre-Jolys, a Manitoba village about 50 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, has published its 2026 priority sectors and occupations under the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). In 2026, the town added one sector and 10 new occupations to its FCIP in-demand list, while 10 occupations were removed. […]
Quebec Workers Win 12-Month Work Permit Extension to Bridge to Permanent Residency
Maple News reports that the Government of Canada has introduced a temporary measure to help foreign workers in Quebec continue to work while their permanent residence applications are processed. Under the new measure, eligible workers can obtain an expedited employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP), allowing them […]
Maple News Reports: 250 ITAs Issued in Canada’s First Express Entry Draw for Senior Managers with Canadian Experience
Maple News reports that on March 5, Canada conducted the inaugural Express Entry draw specifically for the new Senior Managers with Canadian work experience category, issuing 250 Invitations to Apply with a minimum CRS score of 429. The article presents hypothetical profiles to illustrate the types of senior managers who […]
Maple News: Sweeping immigration reforms advance after Senate passage
Maple News reports that the Senate has passed Bill C-12, a landmark package of reforms to Canada’s immigration system—arguably the most substantial in decades. The bill would empower the Governor in Council to vary, cancel, or suspend immigration documents, including work permits, study permits, and permanent resident visas, as part […]
IRCC data shows 27% of inland spousal sponsorships incomplete in 2025, Maple News reports
Maple News reports new data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showing that about 27% of inland spousal sponsorship applications submitted in 2025 (January through October) were refused due to incompleteness. Of 45,235 spouse or common-law partner sponsorship applications reviewed during this period, 32,994 were accepted for processing, while […]
RESPs for Newcomers: A Practical Guide to Saving for Your Child’s Education in Canada
Maple News reports that for newcomers to Canada, planning for a child’s education can feel overwhelming. A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) offers a practical way to start saving early for your child’s post-secondary education, whether that’s university, college, trades training, or other eligible programs. An RESP is a government-registered […]
Newcomer’s Guide to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs): A Practical Path to Your Child’s Education
Maple News reports that for newcomers to Canada, planning for a child’s post-secondary education can feel overwhelming, but a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) offers a practical, flexible way to start saving early for university, college, trade school, or other eligible programs. What is an RESP? An RESP is a […]
IRCC Processing Times Update: Indian Applicants See Faster Visitor Visas as Overall Timelines Improve
Maple News reports on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) latest processing-time estimates for temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship applications, as of March 11, 2026 (March 9 for certain streams). The update reflects mixed movements across programs, with several notable shifts. Key changes include a one‑month increase in in‑land […]
Canada Opens a Path for International Students Amid UK Study-Visa Ban
Maple News reports that the UK Home Office has announced a temporary halt on issuing study visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, with the measure taking effect on March 26. The policy follows a sharp rise in asylum claims by students from these countries arriving in the […]
Canada updates citizenship test to online format with three attempts and a 45-minute limit, Maple News reports
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance to make the self-administered online citizenship test the default for most applicants, with up to three attempts. The new instructions, published March 9, 2026, also set a 45-minute time limit for the online test and maintain […]
Maple News reports Senate amends sweeping immigration bill, adds asylum oversight
Maple News reports that the Senate, in its third reading of a major immigration bill, has adopted an amendment that adds heightened oversight to proposed asylum limitations. The amendment would require the government to prepare a report detailing asylum claims deemed ineligible because they were filed one year after entry […]
Canada’s Passport Strengthens to No. 7 in Global Rankings, Fortifying North American Mobility
Maple News reports that Canada’s passport has strengthened further in the latest Henley Global Passport Rankings, rising from eighth to seventh place at the start of 2026. Canadians now enjoy visa-free access to 182 destinations worldwide. Canada remains the strongest passport in North America, clearly ahead of the United States, […]
Kelowna expands Francophone PR pathway for 2026 with new sector and eight in-demand occupations, Maple News reports
Maple News reports Kelowna, British Columbia, has announced its 2026 priorities under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). The city will target a new priority sector and eight additional in-demand occupations as part of its francophone pathway to permanent residence. Kelowna sits in south-central BC on […]