Canada Unveils New Immigration Pathways for Hong Kong Residents Amid Rising Concerns

Maple News reports that Canada has announced two new immigration pathways specifically designed for Hong Kong residents and expanded measures for asylum seekers, reinforcing its commitment to supporting human rights and strengthening ties amidst political unrest in Hong Kong. On November 12, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino introduced the new initiatives, […]

Canada Expands Biometric Services for U.S. Applicants With New Centers in Seattle and San Francisco

Maple News reports that Canada has opened two new Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco, California, to provide biometric services for U.S.-based applicants pursuing Canadian immigration pathways. These centers started operations on November 23 and offer fingerprinting and photo collection—key requirements for many immigration applications. The […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Thousands of Approved Immigrants Still Stranded Abroad Amid Expired Documents and Delays

Maple News reports that thousands of individuals who have been officially approved for permanent residency in Canada remain stranded outside the country due to complications stemming from expired documents and pandemic-related travel disruptions. Fadi Ghaoui, a cybersecurity analyst from Lebanon, is one such case. He received his Confirmation of Permanent […]