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 Reopens Visa Application Centres in India, Clearing Key Hurdle for Students and Families
Maple News reports that Canada’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India will officially resume operations starting November 20, 2020, bringing relief to thousands of Indian applicants waiting to complete a crucial step in their Canadian immigration and travel journeys. According to the Canadian government, these centres will begin accepting limited […]
Newfoundland and Labrador Launch New Immigration Stream to Attract Skilled Talent
Maple News reports that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced a new immigration stream aimed at retaining highly skilled newcomers already living in the province. The ‘Priority Skills Newfoundland and Labrador’ pathway, part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), is set to launch on January […]
December Outlook: Key Immigration Developments to Watch in Canada
Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration system is expected to remain active through December, wrapping up what has been a dynamic and transformative year. With multiple policy announcements and immigration activities anticipated, prospective immigrants and stakeholders will want to keep a close eye on several developments before year-end. First, Express […]
Visa Centres Across India Reopen for Canadian Study and Family Biometrics
Maple News reports that Canada’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) have officially resumed biometric services across multiple cities in India. This reopening provides critical support for individuals applying for study permits or family sponsorship programs to enter Canada. The expansion includes newly opened facilities in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, […]
Technical Issues Force Ontario to Pause International Student Stream Applications
Maple News reports that Ontario has temporarily suspended the intake for its Employer Job Offer: International Student stream due to unexpected technical difficulties that disrupted the online registration system. The pause was announced shortly after the stream opened for applications on November 26. This particular stream is part of 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 […]
Canada Tops Global Wishlist as Most Desired Immigration Destination
According to a recent study analyzed by Maple News, Canada has emerged as the number one country people around the world aspire to move to. The study reviewed immigration-related search trends from over 100 countries, and the findings highlight Canada’s growing global appeal. The report revealed that citizens from 29 […]
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 […]
Alberta Launches Pilot Program to Shorten Quarantine for Eligible International Arrivals
Maple News reports that Alberta has become the first Canadian province to pilot a new COVID-19 testing initiative aimed at reducing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for certain international travellers. The program, launched at Calgary International Airport and the Coutts land border crossing, offers COVID-19 testing upon arrival, with the […]
Saskatchewan Rewards Bilingual Candidates with Extra Points in Provincial Nominee Program
Maple News reports that Saskatchewan has introduced a new incentive for bilingual immigration candidates, offering additional points under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This policy, which took effect on November 24, 2023, is aimed at attracting skilled individuals who can communicate in both of Canada’s official languages—English and French. The […]
Canada Extends Non-Essential Travel Restrictions Through January
Maple News reports that Canada is extending its ban on non-essential international travel until at least January 21, 2021, as the country continues its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The decision, announced by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, aligns Canada’s non-U.S. travel restrictions with the anticipated extension of […]
Canada’s Fall Economic Statement Highlights Immigration as Cornerstone of Post-Pandemic Recovery
Maple News reports that Canada’s federal government has underscored the vital role of immigration in its economic recovery plans amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the Fall Economic Statement delivered on November 30 by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, the government laid out an updated fiscal outlook, revealing new measures to […]
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 […]
Newfoundland and Labrador Streamlines Hiring for In-Demand Health and Tech Occupations
Maple News reports that Newfoundland and Labrador have introduced new exemptions to simplify the hiring process for foreign workers in critical sectors facing labour shortages under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The provincial government has published a list of in-demand occupations that are now exempt from its traditional labour market […]
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 […]