Maple News reports that Canada’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) have officially resumed biometric services across multiple cities in India. This reopening provides critical support for individuals applying for study permits or family sponsorship programs to enter Canada. The expansion includes newly opened facilities in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, […]
Author: Maple News
Canada Expands Immigration Pathways for Hong Kong Residents
Maple News reports that Canada has introduced new immigration initiatives tailored to attract and support Hong Kong residents, with a particular focus on students and young professionals. These efforts align with Canada’s broader commitment to providing humanitarian support and strengthening global talent pipelines, especially in light of shifting socio-political conditions […]
Canada Tops Global Wishlist as Most Desired Immigration Destination
According to a recent study analyzed by Maple News, Canada has emerged as the number one country people around the world aspire to move to. The study reviewed immigration-related search trends from over 100 countries, and the findings highlight Canada’s growing global appeal. The report revealed that citizens from 29 […]
Service Canada Launches Online Booking for Biometrics Appointments
Maple News reports that beginning Monday, November 30, 2020, Service Canada will resume online scheduling for biometrics appointments, streamlining a critical step in the Canadian immigration process. This updated system allows applicants to independently book appointments through a web-based platform, enhancing both convenience and efficiency. Previously, Service Canada officers had […]
Canada’s Fall Economic Statement Highlights Immigration as Cornerstone of Post-Pandemic Recovery
Maple News reports that Canada’s federal government has underscored the vital role of immigration in its economic recovery plans amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the Fall Economic Statement delivered on November 30 by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, the government laid out an updated fiscal outlook, revealing new measures to […]
Alberta Launches Pilot Program to Shorten Quarantine for Eligible International Arrivals
Maple News reports that Alberta has become the first Canadian province to pilot a new COVID-19 testing initiative aimed at reducing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for certain international travellers. The program, launched at Calgary International Airport and the Coutts land border crossing, offers COVID-19 testing upon arrival, with the […]
Saskatchewan Rewards Bilingual Candidates with Extra Points in Provincial Nominee Program
Maple News reports that Saskatchewan has introduced a new incentive for bilingual immigration candidates, offering additional points under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This policy, which took effect on November 24, 2023, is aimed at attracting skilled individuals who can communicate in both of Canada’s official languages—English and French. The […]
Canada Extends Non-Essential Travel Restrictions Through January
Maple News reports that Canada is extending its ban on non-essential international travel until at least January 21, 2021, as the country continues its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The decision, announced by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, aligns Canada’s non-U.S. travel restrictions with the anticipated extension of […]
Canada’s Job Market Growth Cools in November as Recovery Slows
Maple News reports that Canada’s job market continued to recover in November, but at a slower pace than in previous months. According to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, employment increased by 0.3% during the week of November 8–14, compared to a 0.5% rise in October. The […]
Canada’s Immigration Minister Addresses Impact of COVID-19 in Parliamentary Hearing
Maple News reports that Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, appeared before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on November 25 to discuss the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s immigration system. Accompanying him was Catrina Tapley, Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), […]
Vernon-North Okanagan Eases RNIP Rules to Boost Local Hiring
Maple News reports that the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) for the Vernon-North Okanagan region is lowering some of its entry requirements starting December 1, aimed at making it easier for local employers to address workforce shortages. Introduced in February 2020, the RNIP program was initially designed with cautious […]
Newfoundland and Labrador Streamlines Hiring for In-Demand Health and Tech Occupations
Maple News reports that Newfoundland and Labrador have introduced new exemptions to simplify the hiring process for foreign workers in critical sectors facing labour shortages under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The provincial government has published a list of in-demand occupations that are now exempt from its traditional labour market […]
Canada Launches Online Portal to Confirm Permanent Residency Without In-Person Interviews
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new online portal that streamlines the process of confirming permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. This development eliminates the need for most in-person interviews, enabling approved applicants to finalize their landing entirely online. Originally introduced as a […]
Canada Opens Permanent Residency Pathway for Asylum Seekers Working in Health Care
Maple News reports that, starting December 14, 2020, Canada officially launched two targeted immigration programs to allow certain asylum seekers—primarily those who provided direct health care during the COVID-19 pandemic—to apply for permanent residence. These new temporary measures, first introduced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in the summer, are designed […]
Canada Opens Path to Permanent Residency for Refugee Healthcare Workers
Maple News reports that Canada has launched two new immigration pathways tailored for refugee claimants who worked on the front lines of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting December 14, applications for permanent residency will be accepted from individuals who provided essential direct care to Canadians under challenging conditions. The […]
Canada Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine Amid Plans for Expanded Immigration
Maple News reports that on December 9, 2020, Health Canada granted its first emergency authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine, giving a green light to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This marks the beginning of Canada’s largest immunization campaign in history and is seen as a major turning point in the national pandemic […]