Maple News reports that while the average processing time for a Canadian citizenship application is around 13 months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers urgent processing in exceptional cases where time-sensitive and serious consequences are at stake. Urgent processing is not standard practice and is only granted when there […]
Author: Maple News
Canada’s 2026 Job Market: Fierce Competition and Sector Shifts Reshape Employment Landscape
Canada enters 2026 with a labour market that defies simple explanation. According to Maple News, while national employment figures remained relatively stable through late 2025, the unemployment rate climbed to 6.8%, driven not by mass layoffs but by a growing number of people entering the workforce and searching for jobs. […]
Key Requirements for Declaring Family Members in Your Canadian PR Application
Maple News reports that applicants for Canadian permanent residence (PR) must accurately declare all immediate family members in their applications, whether those relatives plan to accompany them to Canada or not. Failure to do so can result in delays or even the refusal of PR status. According to Canadian immigration […]
British Columbia Prioritizes Top Earners and High-Scoring Candidates in February PNP Draw
Maple News reports that the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 429 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a highly selective draw held on February 4, 2026. This targeted draw aimed to identify and invite candidates capable of contributing significant economic value to the province, focusing on high earners […]
New Brunswick Invites 326 Skilled Workers and Francophone Candidates in Latest PNP Draws
Maple News reports that New Brunswick issued a total of 326 invitations to immigration candidates in its latest round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws held on February 2, 2026. The province extended these invitations under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream and the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream, continuing […]
Ontario Invites 1,825 Skilled Workers in Major Healthcare and Regional Immigration Draws
On February 2, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) completed a landmark series of targeted draws, issuing 1,825 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. As Maple News reports, the province continues to prioritize healthcare, early childhood education, and regional workforce development in its latest immigration efforts. The majority […]
Canada Invites 8,500 French-Speaking Candidates in Landmark Express Entry Draw
In a significant move underscoring Canada’s ongoing commitment to promoting Francophone immigration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its 394th Express Entry draw on February 6, 2026, issuing 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the French-language proficiency category. According to Maple News, this was one of the largest category-based […]
Saskatchewan Cracks Down on Immigration Violations with New Charges Against Consultant and Employers
Maple News reports that Saskatchewan has laid formal charges against an unlicensed immigration consultant and two employers, marking a decisive enforcement of its updated immigration laws to protect foreign workers from exploitation. On January 15, 2026, the province charged Jun Su under the Immigration Services Act, 2024, for allegedly offering […]
Canada’s Passport Ranks Among World’s Most Powerful as Citizenship Reform Expands Access
Canada has once again secured its place among the world’s most powerful passports for 2026. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Canada ranks 8th globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 countries and territories. This strong mobility score places the Canadian passport ahead of the United States, reinforcing […]
Express Entry: How Some Candidates Receive Invitations Before Their CRS Score Rises
Maple News reports that certain Express Entry candidates may unexpectedly receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence even before their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score increases. This lesser-known scenario occurs when applicants are nearing a new threshold of qualifying work experience, such as moving from one to two […]
Top 10 Countries That Recognize Dual Citizenship with Canada
Maple News reports that Canada fully embraces the concept of dual and multiple citizenships. This means that individuals who obtain Canadian citizenship—whether through naturalization, descent, or birth—are not required to renounce their original nationality. However, the ability to retain dual citizenship largely depends on the regulations of the individual’s country […]
Alberta Issues Over 1,100 Invitations in First Provincial Nominee Draws of 2026
Maple News reports that Alberta has kicked off 2026 with a robust start to its immigration efforts, issuing a total of 1,169 invitations through four separate draws held between January 26 and February 2 under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). These early draws span across key streams designed to […]
IRCC Eases Study Permit Process for Joint Programs and Graduate Students
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released new guidelines for processing study permit applications, introducing important updates aimed at simplifying requirements for international students, especially those in joint academic programs and graduate-level studies. Effective for applications submitted in 2026, students enrolled in joint programs involving […]
New Brunswick Targets Skilled Workers and Francophones in Latest Immigration Round
According to Maple News, New Brunswick has issued 326 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination in two separate draws conducted through its Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) on February 2. The province is continuing to prioritize candidates with strong ties to New Brunswick, in-demand skills, and French language proficiency. The […]
Canada Conducts Largest-Ever Express Entry Draw for French-Speaking Candidates
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has carried out its largest category-based Express Entry draw to date, issuing 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French language proficiency. This significant draw, held on February 6, 2026, marks a historic milestone for the Express Entry system’s […]
Top-Tier Express Entry Candidates Drop, Opening Doors for Mid-Range Applicants
The competitive landscape of Canada’s Express Entry system is showing signs of easing, as the number of high-scoring candidates continues to fall for the second consecutive month. According to the latest data reviewed by Maple News, a total of 1,684 top-tier profiles have exited the Express Entry pool between January […]