Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made notable progress in addressing its immigration backlog. As of December 31, 2024, the number of applications awaiting processing dropped to 942,300 — the first time the backlog has dipped below the one million mark since June of the […]
A Decade of Express Entry: How Canada’s Flagship System Reshaped Immigration
January 31, 2025, marks ten years since Canada introduced its first Express Entry draw—an innovation that has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of Canadian immigration. Since 2015, the Express Entry system has become the cornerstone of economic immigration, streamlining the process for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. According to Maple News, […]
Canada Releases 2025 Country Quotas for IEC LMIA-Exempt Work Permits
Maple News reports that Canada has unveiled the country-specific quotas for its 2025 International Experience Canada (IEC) program, opening doors for thousands of young professionals to gain working experience in Canada without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The IEC program enables youth aged 18 to either 30 or […]
Canada Eases Super Visa Health Insurance Rules, Allowing Foreign Providers
Maple News reports that Canada is introducing a major update to its Super Visa requirements, aiming to make family reunification easier for immigrants. Starting January 28, 2025, parents and grandparents applying for a Super Visa will be able to use certain health insurance policies issued by non-Canadian providers — a […]
AEIP Prepares Newcomers for a Confident Start in Canada
Relocating to a new country can be both thrilling and overwhelming, especially when navigating unfamiliar systems and cultural shifts. To ease this transition for future Canadians, the Active Engagement and Integration Project (AEIP), operated by S.U.C.C.E.S.S., offers a comprehensive suite of pre-arrival services designed to help immigrants build a strong […]
IRCC Plans Compensation Fund for Victims of Unethical Immigration Consultants
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a proposal to establish a compensation fund aimed at supporting individuals harmed by dishonest immigration consultants. The announcement is included in a series of draft regulatory changes published in the Canada Gazette, focusing on strengthening the oversight and […]
Canada to Launch New Permanent Residency Pathways for Home Care Workers in 2025
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced the launch date for a new set of immigration programs dedicated to home care workers. Branded as the “Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots,” these pathways will open on March 31, 2025, and offer eligible applicants permanent residency […]
Ontario and Manitoba Launch 2025 Immigration Invitations Through PNP Streams
Maple News reports that Canadian provinces are beginning to ramp up Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) activities as 2025 progresses. Manitoba and Ontario are among the first to issue nomination invitations this year, signifying a renewed momentum in Canada’s regional immigration efforts. Manitoba took the lead by conducting its first PNP […]
Provincial Nominee Programs Face Uncertainty Amid 2025 Quota Reductions
Maple News reports that several provinces across Canada are voicing concern after the federal government announced a significant reduction in immigration allocations for 2025. Provincial immigration leaders in Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador have publicly expressed interest in welcoming more newcomers than their allotted quotas permit, citing regional economic and […]
Canada Releases 2025 Study Permit Allocation by Province and Expands Details on Attestation Letters
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially published the provincial and categorical breakdown of study permit allocations for 2025. As part of ongoing efforts to manage international student intake, Canada plans to issue 437,000 study permits next year — a 10% reduction from 2024 levels. […]
Canada Extends Open Work Permit Policy for Provincial Nominee Candidates Until 2025
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially extended its temporary public policy granting open work permits (OWPs) to certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The extension now runs until December 31, 2025, aiming to support foreign nationals as they await the finalization of their permanent […]
Canada Introduces 2025 Study Permit Cap of 550,000 Applications
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set a federal cap of 550,162 study permit applications for processing in 2025. This limit, announced via ministerial instructions on January 18, will be in effect from January 22 through December 31, 2025. The cap pertains to the number […]
Canada Invites 4,000 More Canadian Experience Class Applicants in Latest Express Entry Draw
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third Express Entry draw of the year, inviting 4,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence. The draw took place on January 23, 2025, and required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) […]
Canada to Restrict Family Open Work Permits for Students and Workers Starting January 2025
Maple News reports that Canada will introduce substantial changes to its family Open Work Permit (OWP) program beginning January 21, 2025, significantly narrowing who qualifies under this immigration stream. These adjustments are part of a broader effort by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to better align its work permit […]
Alberta Surpasses 2024 Immigration Targets, Launches New Pathways for Foreign Workers
Maple News reports that the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has wrapped up 2024 with notable successes, marking an impactful year for immigration in the province. Alberta exceeded its federal nomination allocation and introduced new initiatives to attract and retain skilled foreign talent. Throughout the year, AAIP issued a total […]
Low CRS Score? Here Are Your Best Pathways to Canadian Permanent Residency
Maple News reports that individuals with a low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score still have meaningful pathways to secure Canadian permanent residency, even if they may not qualify for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the federal Express Entry system. While Express Entry remains one of the most prominent economic […]