Maple News reports that the Canadian government has introduced a temporary public policy giving former international students another opportunity to secure a work permit — a critical pathway toward permanent residency. This initiative comes in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many recent graduates unable to […]
Canada Expands 2021 Parents and Grandparents Immigration Program After Pandemic Delays
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially begun issuing invitations for the 2020 intake of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). This follows the expression-of-interest submissions collected between October 13 and November 3, 2020. In response to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC is […]
IRCC Discontinues Webform Submissions for Expired COPR Holders Ready to Travel
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will no longer accept webform submissions from individuals with expired Confirmations of Permanent Residence (COPR) who are ready to travel to Canada. This change was confirmed in the department’s most recent program delivery update and marks a shift in how […]
Why You Should Join the Express Entry Pool—Even with a Low CRS Score
Maple News reports that many potential immigration candidates are second-guessing whether to join Canada’s Express Entry pool due to having a low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Recent invitation rounds have set high CRS cutoffs—often exceeding 460 points—leaving some applicants feeling discouraged. However, immigration experts suggest that entering the pool […]
Ontario Launches On-Arrival COVID-19 Testing Pilot at Toronto Pearson International Airport
Maple News reports that the Government of Ontario has launched a new COVID-19 screening pilot program at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s busiest travel hub. Effective January 6, the initiative offers free, voluntary COVID-19 testing for incoming international travelers committed to staying in Ontario for 14 days or more. Premier […]
Canada Welcomes 15,300 New Immigrants in November 2020 Amid Ongoing Pandemic Challenges
Maple News reports that Canada admitted 15,300 new permanent residents in November 2020, marking the third consecutive month with immigration levels around that figure. Although this reflects a slight rebound in arrivals compared to earlier in the year, total immigration numbers remain well below pre-pandemic norms due to continued global […]
Pandemic Exposed Gaps in Support for Immigrants in Canada, Survey Finds
Maple News reports that a recent survey highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted economic outcomes for immigrants in Canada, amplifying longstanding vulnerabilities in the immigration system. According to research conducted by World Education Services (WES), which analyzed responses from 7,496 recent immigrants across three surveys between April and August […]
Canada Reinforces Immigration as Cornerstone of Economic Recovery and Growth
Maple News reports that the Canadian government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to immigration as a key driver of economic development and recovery in a new supplementary mandate letter released by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The letter, addressed to Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, outlines the government’s updated immigration priorities in […]
Canada Extends Non-U.S. Travel Restrictions to February 21 Amid COVID-19 Concerns
Maple News reports that Canada is extending its international travel restrictions for non-U.S. arrivals until at least February 21, 2021, as part of continued efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The extension was officially announced by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, underscoring the Canadian government’s commitment to safeguarding public […]
Canada Confirms COVID-19 Vaccines Available to All, Regardless of Immigration Status
Canada is making COVID-19 vaccines accessible to everyone in the country, regardless of their immigration status, Maple News reports. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has affirmed that vaccines will be distributed equitably to all residents for whom they are approved and recommended, including permanent residents, temporary workers, international […]
Canada Doubles Down on Immigration Amid COVID-19 Disruptions
Maple News reports that Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marco Mendicino, has reaffirmed the federal government’s strong commitment to immigration despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview aired on the Canadian program The Agenda, Mendicino discussed how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is adapting to […]
Newcomers to Canada Saw Record-High Entry Wages in 2018, Driven by Experience and Education
Maple News reports that newly arrived immigrants to Canada earned the highest median entry wage on record in 2018, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s immigration and labor market trends. According to recent data released by Statistics Canada, immigrants who were admitted in 2017 reported a median income of $30,100 […]
Canada Launches New 18-Month Open Work Permit for Expiring PGWP Holders
Maple News reports that effective today, Canada has opened applications for a new one-time open work permit targeting former international students whose Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are expiring or have recently expired. The initiative, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allows eligible applicants to receive an open work […]
Canada and Ukraine Launch New Partnership to Expand Immigration and Youth Mobility
Maple News reports that Canada and Ukraine have formalized a new agreement aimed at enhancing immigration pathways and mobility between the two nations. The Canada-Ukraine Mobility Working Group, announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, is designed to strengthen immigration collaboration and offer more avenues for Ukrainian nationals to come to […]
Canada Introduces Stricter Border Measures to Curb Spread of COVID-19 Variants
Maple News reports that Canada has introduced sweeping new travel restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 and its highly contagious variants. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, follows increasing calls from provincial leaders to tighten border controls and discourage non-essential travel. Effective January 31, Canada’s major […]
Canada Extends COVID-19 Testing Requirements at U.S. Land Border
Maple News reports that starting February 15, Canada will implement stricter COVID-19 testing measures at land border crossings, requiring travellers to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to entry. The move mirrors existing protocols already in place for air travellers and aims to curb the spread […]