Maple News reports that prospective and current Express Entry candidates have multiple avenues to accumulate eligible work experience across categories, a key factor in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in category-based draws, which typically feature lower cut-off scores. Following the February 2026 update, candidates aiming for these special selections […]
Alberta’s Rural Renewal Draw Targets Rural Workers for Provincial Nomination, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that Alberta has retroactively published its final February draw under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), inviting workers with job offers in rural communities within the province to apply for provincial nomination. The February 26 draw followed a Tourism and Hospitality Stream draw conducted just two days […]
Canada launches one-time TR-to-PR pathway for 33,000 workers
Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration department has quietly launched a one-time pathway to permanent residence for 33,000 foreign workers. The government indicated that fuller details will follow in April, a development first reported by the Toronto Star on March 6, 2026. The measure was first announced in last November’s […]
Express Entry Competition Eases as Large Draws Raise ITA Pace, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry pool continues to show a thinning of top-scoring profiles, as larger, more consistent draws push ITA volumes and ease overall competition among applicants. As of March 1, pool data indicate the 501–600 CRS range may be around 10,000 profiles, a level not seen […]
Britney Spears Could Face Canada Entry Ban Over DUI Record, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that pop star Britney Spears may be denied entry into Canada following her March 4, 2026 DUI arrest in California. Under Canadian immigration rules, foreign nationals can be deemed inadmissible if their history includes criminality or serious criminality, with Canadian officials assessing the seriousness of the offense […]
Claresholm’s RCIP priorities for 2026: Trades join health and manufacturing in a six-sector focus
Maple News reports that Claresholm, Alberta, has released its updated Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) priorities for 2026, adding one new priority sector, eight new occupations, and new designated employers. Under RCIP, foreign nationals with a job offer from a Claresholm-designated employer in a priority sector or occupation may pursue […]
Canada conducts first Express Entry draw under new Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 250 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category. To be eligible, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 429 and a created […]
Canada Extends Targeted Work Permit Extensions for Iranians Through March 2027
Maple News reports that, effective March 1, 2026, Canada has updated its special measures for Iranian nationals and extended eligibility through March 31, 2027. The new framework narrows eligibility to certain work-permit holders, focusing on extensions rather than broader open permits or study-status changes. Iranian workers in Canada who wish […]
Pictou County Sets 2026 Priority Sectors and Occupations for Rural Immigration Pilot
Maple News reports that Pictou County in northern Nova Scotia has released its 2026 priorities for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). The county will prioritize an additional sector and 14 new occupations this year. The RCIP footprint covers Pictou Landing First Nation, the Municipality of Pictou County, and the […]
Canada Names Ted Gallivan as New Deputy Minister of Immigration
Maple News reports that on March 4, 2026, the office of Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the appointment of a new deputy minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship, with a start date to be announced in the coming weeks. Ted Gallivan, who is currently serving as interim deputy national security […]
5,500 French-Language Express Entry Invitations Hit Year-Low CRS Cutoff as IRCC Pushes 2026 Draws
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a March 4 Express Entry draw focused on French-language proficiency. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397 and had to have created an Express Entry profile before […]
Canada’s 30-Day Passport Processing Guarantee Takes Effect April 1, 2026
Maple News reports that, starting April 1, 2026, Canadian passport applications are to be processed within 30 business days, or the applicant will receive a full refund of the passport fees. The policy, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and confirmed in a March 3, 2026 online release, […]
One-Year Diplomas Can Boost Your CRS Score: A Clear Path to a Strong Express Entry Profile
Maple News reports that pursuing a one-year diploma, whether earned in Canada or abroad, can significantly raise your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry, especially when paired with strong language results and Canadian work experience. To maximize your CRS score, foreign credentials must be accompanied […]
New Canadian Citizenship Law Opens Path to Dual Citizenship for Millions of Americans
Maple News reports that a newly enacted Canadian law dramatically expands eligibility for Americans with Canadian ancestry to claim dual citizenship and obtain Canadian passports. The changes are encapsulated in Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, which took effect on December 15, 2025. Under the new regime, […]
CRS cut-off nears two-year low in latest Canadian Experience Class draw
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 invitations to apply in a Canadian Experience Class draw conducted through the Express Entry system. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 508 and had to have created an Express Entry profile by 10:35 a.m. UTC […]
Maple News: Quiet reshuffle reshapes Express Entry’s skilled trades category for 2026
Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry pool is undergoing a quiet but consequential reshaping of its skilled trades category for 2026. The most notable change is the removal of Cooks (occupation code 63200) from the trades category on February 18, 2026, signaling a shift in which foreign nationals are […]