Category: Immigration Guidance

Maple News reports that, as of August 10, the processing time for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate has risen to 25 months, up from 19 months in July, according to the federal government’s processing-time tool. The surge in wait times accompanies a rapidly expanding backlog at Immigration, Refugees and […]

Maple News reports that on Thursday, August 6, U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at narrowing birthright citizenship, following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked his broader earlier attempt. The orders expand the categories of people deemed ineligible for automatic citizenship at birth and target so-called birth […]

Maple News reports that the Canadian federal government has for the first time published explicit eligibility criteria for foreign nationals to work in Canada without a work permit as academic examiners. In updated instructions posted on the government website on July 31, 2026, eligible examiners must be senior academics or […]

Maple News reports on a practical path through Quebec’s civil-status records for citizenship by descent. A case in point: a genealogical search turns up two versions of a great-grandmother’s name—Marie Thibodeau on a 1903 parish baptism register and Mary Thibodeaux on a 1924 Quebec marriage license. Such spelling discrepancies can […]

Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department has walked back a rule change that would have restricted reciprocal employment work permits to workers already employed outside Canada. Officials described the change as a version-control error that does not reflect the department’s intended policy. The contested update appeared in officer instructions […]

Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration authorities have tightened the rules governing work permits issued under the International Mobility Program’s C20 exemption, restricting eligibility to foreign nationals who are already employed by the sponsor company abroad. On July 29, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada published updated instructions stating that […]

Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its processing time estimates for temporary residence applications on August 5, signaling longer waits across most categories. The most notable increases include a 14-week jump in work permit processing for applications from Pakistan; a one-week uptick for Nigerian and […]

Maple News reports on Washington state’s long-standing, tangible ties to Canada, a cross-border dynamic felt from Blaine to Sumas. Even Point Roberts—a Washington enclave reachable only via Canada—highlights how closely intertwined these communities are across the border. The region’s history helps explain why a policy shift in Canada could open […]

Maple News reports that millions of Americans are now eligible to apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate under the country’s citizenship by descent changes announced in 2026. As applicants finalize their packages, it’s important to double-check seven details before mailing your submission. Checklist: 1) Documents must come from the original […]

Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department is retiring the Self-Employed Persons Program, a route to permanent residence long used by world-class athletes and entertainers, after officials said the program is no longer fit for purpose. An official audit from IRCC’s Audit and Evaluation Branch flags a chronic backlog, high […]

Maple News reports that TD Bank and CanadaVisa are hosting a live webinar designed for newcomers to Canada, focusing on understanding the banking system, everyday money management, and building a solid financial foundation. Scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM EDT, the session will guide attendees through opening […]

Maple News reports that moving to Canada marks an exciting new chapter, but understanding how borrowing works is key to financial stability. Here are five practical steps newcomers can take to navigate Canada’s borrowing landscape with confidence. 1. Build your plan before you land. Research the cost of housing, transportation, […]

Maple News reports that one of the most common reasons Canadian proof of citizenship (PoC) applications are returned is simple: the photo does not meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) specifications. Ala Bujac, a Canadian immigration lawyer with Cohen Immigration Law, notes that photos failing to meet these standards […]

Maple News reports that, effective July 28, 2026, Canadians aged 16 and older can renew their passports online if their passport was issued within the last 15 years. The move aims to give citizens a faster, more convenient option without eliminating existing in-person or mail channels. Online renewals provide real-time […]

Maple News reports a shift in how Canadian citizenship by descent can be claimed. A common misconception is that you must have a parent who was born in Canada or who held a Canadian passport. That view changed with the December 15, 2025 enactment of Bill C-3, which removed the […]

Maple News reports that, in the wake of Bill C-3, many Americans are turning to AI for information on Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules. While chatbots can handle routine questions and steer readers toward official resources, relying on them in place of an immigration professional carries real risks. To assess current AI […]