Federal Court Rules Visa Officers Don’t Have to Consider Criminal Rehabilitation Unless Requested by Applicant

In a recent decision, Canada’s federal court has ruled that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) visa officers are not obligated to assess whether an applicant with a criminal history is deemed rehabilitated, unless the applicant explicitly requests such a determination. The case, Bello v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), involved […]

Understanding the Role of an Immigration Representative in Your Application Journey

Maple News reports that while it’s entirely possible to manage your own immigration application, many individuals opt to work with immigration representatives to streamline the process and avoid costly errors. But what exactly do these professionals do, and are they worth the investment? Immigration representatives—who may be lawyers, paralegals, consultants, […]

Canada Increases Immigration Application Fees Starting December 1

Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced new application fees for several immigration and restoration services, effective December 1, 2024. This adjustment affects a variety of application types, with modest increases across the board. Here’s a breakdown of the updated fees: – Authorization to Return […]

Your Guide to Acing the Canadian Citizenship Test

Maple News reports that the Canadian citizenship test is one of the final milestones for immigrants seeking to become Canadian citizens. This essential step evaluates applicants on their understanding of Canada’s identity, governance, and values. The test assesses knowledge in areas including Canadian history, geography, economy, government structure, legal system, […]

IRCC Backlog Tops 1 Million Applications as Canada Plans to Scale Back Immigration in 2025

Maple News reports that the inventory of unprocessed immigration applications in Canada continues to expand, raising concerns about service delivery as the federal government signals plans to reduce immigration levels in 2025. As of September 30, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had a total of 1,097,000 applications awaiting […]

Canada Connects: How Local Mentorship Helps Newcomers Settle and Succeed

Maple News reports that Canada’s federal government continues to enhance its newcomer support system through innovative programs designed to ease the transition for immigrants. One such initiative is ‘Canada Connects’—a community-based mentorship program that helps newcomers settle more quickly and confidently into Canadian society. Canada Connects is a collaborative effort […]