Maple News reports that IRCC’s total application backlog fell to 990,300 as of January 31, the first time it slipped below one million since October 2025, helped by easing work permit wait times. The update also highlights notable shifts across streams, with the study permit backlog up 14 percent, the […]
Author: Maple News
Express Entry: Cut-off dips below 400 in latest French-language draw, 4,000 ITAs issued
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a recent Express Entry draw focused on French-language proficiency, dated March 18, 2026. To be eligible in this draw, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 393 and had to […]
The Real Timeline for Canadian Citizenship: Why the Process Can Take Longer Than You Think
Maple News reports that the path to Canadian citizenship through naturalization is a multi-year journey, typically extending beyond four years from start to finish. Much of that time is attributable to meeting the physical presence requirement and the processing of the citizenship application. The process is broken into clear stages, […]
Criminal Record Could Derail Your Canada Trip This Spring — What You Need to Know
Maple News reports that travelers planning to enter Canada this spring risk being denied entry if they have a criminal record, even for minor offences. Border officers review applicants’ histories to assess admissibility, and a record from another country does not automatically guarantee entry into Canada. One potential avenue to […]
Record-Breaking Start to 2026: Newfoundland and Labrador Issues 445 ITAs in First Draw
Maple News reports that Newfoundland and Labrador issued 445 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its first draw of 2026, the highest single-round total the province has ever seen. The invitations were spread across two programs: 362 ITAs under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and 83 ITAs under […]
Maple News: Express Entry Issues 4,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates at 18-Month Low CRS Cut-Off
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw conducted through the Express Entry system. The draw set a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 507, and required candidates to have created an Express Entry profile […]
Ontario to Overhaul OINP Streams by May 2026, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that Ontario’s immigration authority has drafted amendments to the Ontario Immigration Act to overhaul the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The changes would redefine streams, candidate selection, and the overall structure of the program. The province says the reforms are slated to take effect on May 30, […]
Could Katy Perry Move to Canada? A Practical Look at Canadian PR Options
Maple News reports a hypothetical scenario: if American pop star Katy Perry wanted to relocate to Canada to join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she would need permanent residency. The citizenship path by descent would only apply to Canadians with roots here, not Perry. Current assessments suggest Perry does not have […]
Canada’s Citizenship Test Goes Online by Default: 10 Key Facts for Applicants
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance, making the online, self-administered citizenship test the default format for applicants. The online test draws from a question bank of roughly 300 to 400 items. IRCC’s rules ensure each test version maintains a similar level of […]
Provincial Nominees Invited in Latest Express Entry Draw as IRCC Issues 362 ITAs
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a recent Express Entry draw focused on Provincial Nominee Program candidates. To be considered in this draw, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 742 and had to have created […]
Maple News: Canada Expands Rural Work Permits to Address Regional Labor Shortages
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 […]
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 […]