Maple News reports that on March 5, Canada conducted the inaugural Express Entry draw specifically for the new Senior Managers with Canadian work experience category, issuing 250 Invitations to Apply with a minimum CRS score of 429. The article presents hypothetical profiles to illustrate the types of senior managers who […]
Maple News: Sweeping immigration reforms advance after Senate passage
Maple News reports that the Senate has passed Bill C-12, a landmark package of reforms to Canada’s immigration system—arguably the most substantial in decades. The bill would empower the Governor in Council to vary, cancel, or suspend immigration documents, including work permits, study permits, and permanent resident visas, as part […]
IRCC data shows 27% of inland spousal sponsorships incomplete in 2025, Maple News reports
Maple News reports new data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showing that about 27% of inland spousal sponsorship applications submitted in 2025 (January through October) were refused due to incompleteness. Of 45,235 spouse or common-law partner sponsorship applications reviewed during this period, 32,994 were accepted for processing, while […]
RESPs for Newcomers: A Practical Guide to Saving for Your Child’s Education in Canada
Maple News reports that for newcomers to Canada, planning for a child’s education can feel overwhelming. A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) offers a practical way to start saving early for your child’s post-secondary education, whether that’s university, college, trades training, or other eligible programs. An RESP is a government-registered […]
Newcomer’s Guide to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs): A Practical Path to Your Child’s Education
Maple News reports that for newcomers to Canada, planning for a child’s post-secondary education can feel overwhelming, but a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) offers a practical, flexible way to start saving early for university, college, trade school, or other eligible programs. What is an RESP? An RESP is a […]
IRCC Processing Times Update: Indian Applicants See Faster Visitor Visas as Overall Timelines Improve
Maple News reports on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) latest processing-time estimates for temporary residence, permanent residence, and citizenship applications, as of March 11, 2026 (March 9 for certain streams). The update reflects mixed movements across programs, with several notable shifts. Key changes include a one‑month increase in in‑land […]
Canada Opens a Path for International Students Amid UK Study-Visa Ban
Maple News reports that the UK Home Office has announced a temporary halt on issuing study visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, with the measure taking effect on March 26. The policy follows a sharp rise in asylum claims by students from these countries arriving in the […]
Canada updates citizenship test to online format with three attempts and a 45-minute limit, Maple News reports
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance to make the self-administered online citizenship test the default for most applicants, with up to three attempts. The new instructions, published March 9, 2026, also set a 45-minute time limit for the online test and maintain […]
Maple News reports Senate amends sweeping immigration bill, adds asylum oversight
Maple News reports that the Senate, in its third reading of a major immigration bill, has adopted an amendment that adds heightened oversight to proposed asylum limitations. The amendment would require the government to prepare a report detailing asylum claims deemed ineligible because they were filed one year after entry […]
Canada’s Passport Strengthens to No. 7 in Global Rankings, Fortifying North American Mobility
Maple News reports that Canada’s passport has strengthened further in the latest Henley Global Passport Rankings, rising from eighth to seventh place at the start of 2026. Canadians now enjoy visa-free access to 182 destinations worldwide. Canada remains the strongest passport in North America, clearly ahead of the United States, […]
Kelowna expands Francophone PR pathway for 2026 with new sector and eight in-demand occupations, Maple News reports
Maple News reports Kelowna, British Columbia, has announced its 2026 priorities under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). The city will target a new priority sector and eight additional in-demand occupations as part of its francophone pathway to permanent residence. Kelowna sits in south-central BC on […]
Master CELPIP Writing: 7 Essential Strategies to Elevate Your Canadian Immigration Test
Maple News reports that the CELPIP exam remains a key milestone for newcomers pursuing permanent residency, citizenship, or professional accreditation in Canada. While many test-takers feel confident about listening and speaking, the writing component is often the most challenging part of the test. 1) Build Comfort With Typing: The CELPIP […]
Canada launches targeted IEC work-permit routes for Portuguese and Taiwanese youth
Maple News reports that Canada has introduced two new employer-specific work permit pathways under the International Experience Canada Young Professionals stream, expanding opportunities for youth from Portugal and Taiwan. The routes are designed to facilitate work placements with Canadian employers while participants gain international experience. The two pathways are: Young […]
NT Nominee Program Opens Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams; First EOI Draw Set
Maple News reports that the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has opened its Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams for candidate consideration as of 12 p.m. on March 9. This marks the program’s transition to an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for its Employer-Driven Stream, a change announced in late February. The […]
Canada pauses removals of select Israeli and Lebanese residents amid regional crisis
Maple News reports that Canada is temporarily pausing the removal of certain inadmissible Israeli and Lebanese nationals who hold temporary or permanent residence status, in response to the escalating conflict in the region. Under an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR) measure, those affected as of March 7 will be allowed […]
LMIA processing times rise across most TFWP streams in 2026, with High-Wage and Global Talent leading the delays
Maple News reports that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated LMIA processing times for February 2026, showing increases across nearly all streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), even as temporary foreign worker admissions declined in 2026. The most pronounced rise occurred in the High-wage stream (jobs paid […]