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 […]
TD Global Transfer™: A Reliable Money Transfer Solution for Newcomers to Canada
Maple News reports that for many newcomers to Canada, sending money to support family and friends abroad is an essential part of settling into their new life. TD Global Transfer™ offers a practical and secure way to manage international money transfers, providing new Canadians with multiple convenient options for moving […]
2024 Provincial Nominee Programs: A Year of Expansion, Innovation, and Strategic Pauses
Maple News reports that Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) saw dynamic progress throughout 2024, marked by new streams, pilot programs, and strategic shifts aimed at addressing evolving labour market demands across the country. The PNPs empower provinces and territories to nominate skilled immigrants who can contribute to local economies — […]
Canada Updates Work Permit Rules: Spouses of Foreign Workers in Select TEER 2 and 3 Jobs Still Eligible
Maple News reports that Canada’s federal government has revised eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), significantly narrowing the list of occupations that qualify. As of January 21, 2024, only spouses of foreign workers employed in TEER 0, TEER 1, and designated TEER 2 and 3 occupations under Canada’s National […]
Canada to Halt Low-Wage LMIA Processing in High-Unemployment Regions by 2025
Maple News reports that, beginning January 2025, employers in several Canadian cities will no longer be able to apply for low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This policy change follows a federal government announcement on August 26, 2024, aimed at better aligning temporary […]
How to Confirm If Your Immigration Representative Is Legally Authorized
Maple News reports that newcomers to Canada should be vigilant when choosing an immigration representative to avoid becoming victims of immigration fraud. Despite Canada’s well-established regulatory framework, fraudulent consultants and unauthorized advisors continue to target individuals seeking to immigrate. In response to this ongoing issue, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada […]
How Express Entry’s Tie-Breaking Rule Could Be the Deciding Factor in Your PR Invitation
Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system uses a tie-breaking rule to help determine which candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency when multiple individuals have the same Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Every Express Entry draw selects a set number of top-ranking candidates based on their […]
UK Introduces New eTA Requirement for Canadian Travelers in 2025
Canadian passport holders planning to visit or transit through the United Kingdom will soon need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), according to Maple News. The new measure takes effect on January 8, 2025, and falls under the UK’s broader rollout of updated border entry protocols. The UK […]
Ontario Launches REDI Pilot to Attract Skilled Immigrants to Underserved Regions
Maple News reports that the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has introduced a new regional initiative—the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot. This program, operational from January 2, 2024, to December 31, 2025, aims to attract up to 800 skilled immigrants to support workforce demands in four key rural […]
How to Legally Employ Foreign Workers in Canada: A Guide for Employers
Maple News reports that employers seeking to bring foreign talent into Canada must ensure employees are authorized to work legally, with three primary pathways available under Canadian immigration law: Work Permit Exemptions, the International Mobility Program (IMP), and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The first and often simplest path […]
What Pierre Poilievre Really Thinks About Canada’s Immigration Future
Maple News reports that Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has been vocal about overhauling Canada’s current immigration policies, positioning himself as a strong critic of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s immigration strategy. As the top challenger in the upcoming 2025 federal election following Trudeau’s resignation announcement in January 2024, Poilievre’s views […]
Northwest Territories Nominee Program Reopening Delayed Amid Federal Cutbacks
Maple News reports that the Government of the Northwest Territories has postponed the previously scheduled January 16, 2025, reopening of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This decision follows a significant reduction in the territory’s nomination allocation from the federal government. Originally, the NTNP had planned to accept 100 new […]