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 […]
Year: 2026
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 […]
Master CELPIP Writing: 7 Essential Strategies to Elevate Your Canadian Immigration Test
Maple News reports that the CELPIP exam remains a key milestone for newcomers pursuing permanent residency, citizenship, or professional accreditation in Canada. While many test-takers feel confident about listening and speaking, the writing component is often the most challenging part of the test. 1) Build Comfort With Typing: The CELPIP […]
Canada launches targeted IEC work-permit routes for Portuguese and Taiwanese youth
Maple News reports that Canada has introduced two new employer-specific work permit pathways under the International Experience Canada Young Professionals stream, expanding opportunities for youth from Portugal and Taiwan. The routes are designed to facilitate work placements with Canadian employers while participants gain international experience. The two pathways are: Young […]
NT Nominee Program Opens Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams; First EOI Draw Set
Maple News reports that the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has opened its Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams for candidate consideration as of 12 p.m. on March 9. This marks the program’s transition to an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for its Employer-Driven Stream, a change announced in late February. The […]
Canada pauses removals of select Israeli and Lebanese residents amid regional crisis
Maple News reports that Canada is temporarily pausing the removal of certain inadmissible Israeli and Lebanese nationals who hold temporary or permanent residence status, in response to the escalating conflict in the region. Under an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR) measure, those affected as of March 7 will be allowed […]
LMIA processing times rise across most TFWP streams in 2026, with High-Wage and Global Talent leading the delays
Maple News reports that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated LMIA processing times for February 2026, showing increases across nearly all streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), even as temporary foreign worker admissions declined in 2026. The most pronounced rise occurred in the High-wage stream (jobs paid […]
New Brunswick Issues 622 Invitations in Latest PNP and Atlantic Immigration Program Draws
Maple News reports that the Government of New Brunswick conducted a new round of immigration draws from March 3 to March 6, 2026, issuing a total of 622 invitations across the NB Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The draw spanned three NBPNP streams, with some […]
Avoid These 5 Common Express Entry Mistakes, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that Express Entry offers a fast path to Canadian permanent residency, but accuracy is non-negotiable. A misstep in your profile or supporting documents can derail your chances, or worse, trigger fraud findings. First, many applicants pick the wrong NOC code. In Canada, the NOC is determined by […]
Moose Jaw Publishes 2026 RCIP Priority Sectors and Occupations, Adds Health to the List
Maple News reports that Moose Jaw has published its priority sectors and occupations for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) for 2026, outlining who may qualify for permanent residence. The city sits in south-central Saskatchewan, about 77 kilometres from Regina. This year Moose Jaw added one sector and seven new […]
Maple News: What to Prepare Now for Canada’s New TR-to-PR Pathway
Maple News reports that Canada has launched the temporary resident to permanent resident (TR-to-PR) pathway for eligible foreign workers. While the program is open in principle, the government has not yet published specific eligibility criteria, application forms, or detailed submission instructions. Officials say more details are expected to be released […]
Building Express Entry Experience: Flexible Paths to a Strong ITA
Maple News reports that prospective and current Express Entry candidates have multiple avenues to accumulate eligible work experience across categories, a key factor in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in category-based draws, which typically feature lower cut-off scores. Following the February 2026 update, candidates aiming for these special selections […]
Alberta’s Rural Renewal Draw Targets Rural Workers for Provincial Nomination, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that Alberta has retroactively published its final February draw under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), inviting workers with job offers in rural communities within the province to apply for provincial nomination. The February 26 draw followed a Tourism and Hospitality Stream draw conducted just two days […]