How to Immigrate to Canada from Kenya in 2023

Picking up everything and starting over is no easy task, but knowing that you’ll be starting over in a country whose economy is flourishing is the reason why so many Kenyans move to Canada. More than 27,500 Kenyans made Canada their permanent home back in 2016, and numbers have only increased since then. You too could be a part of this statistic just by finding out how to Immigrate to Canada from Kenya in 2023.

Canada and Kenya have been diplomatic and trade allies since 1964. The connection between Canada and Kenya is based on a number of similar goals, including poverty reduction, long-term economic growth, women's empowerment, refugee relief, and regional security and stability. The good relationship between the two countries has created a movement of people from Kenya to Canada in search of a better future.

These good relations not only benefit people who own businesses but skilled and qualified workers across many professions and careers. Moving to Canada can be made easier when you know and understand the different ways you can do this.

The best way to move to Canada is through the Express Entry System. You might have already heard of Canada’s famous immigration system that welcomes around 110,000 skilled workers every year. The Express Entry System has three federal economic programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

These programs are used by the Immigration and Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the election board, to choose the most eligible candidates and invite them to apply for permanent residency.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

The three programs have different requirements. If you meet the eligibility criteria for any of these you can apply for Canadian permanent residency.

Step 2: Make an Online Profile

You’ll have to create an online profile where you provide the following information:

• Education
• Work Experience
• Language Ability
• Personal Information

Very importantly, you must take and pass a language test. There are two languages spoken widely in Canada: English and French. You will have to get specific points in either the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) to qualify for permanent residency.

You will have to organize and pay for either an IELTS: International English Language Testing System or TCF Canada: Test de Connaissance du français, depending on the language you want to test for. There are three locations in Nairobi where you can conduct your test.

You will need to submit a more extensive application that includes reference letters, extra identification papers, police clearance certificates, and the results of a medical examination once you submit your profile and get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.

If you’re selected and receive an ITA, you will have a short period of time, usually, 60 days to submit a full application. The process of selection usually takes six months, but can take longer depending on backlogs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once in the pool, your application will be scored using a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Once again, your education and work experience will be considered when either accepting or rejecting your application.

If you don't get in the first round, your application will be kept in the draw pool for a year, giving you the opportunity to increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

The first thing you must get if you don’t already have one is a valid passport. Make sure it’s not going to expire any time soon.

You'll also have to get your qualification certified by an appropriate Canadian authority. You will have to present an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report with your application.

Along with these documents you will also have to provide medical reports to prove you are healthy, a clean criminal record to ensure you have not committed a felony and proof of funds that show you have sufficient means to immigrate and live in Canada unless you are applying through the CEC program or you already have a work offer.

While having a job offer is not a requirement to immigrate to Canada from Kenya, by having a valid work offer you can increase your CRS score by 200, making it more likely that you’ll be selected from the pool and have a successful application.

Step 4: Decide Where You Want to Live

Deciding where in Canada you want to live is an important step in the immigration process. Canada has 10 provinces and three territories.

1. Alberta
2. British Columbia
3. Manitoba
4. New Brunswick
5. Newfoundland and Labrador
6. Northwest Territories
7. Nova Scotia
8. Nunavut
9. Ontario
10. Prince Edward Island
11. Quebec
12. Saskatchewan
13. Yukon

A very important factor to consider when you choose where to live is your occupation. Some provinces require the skills and labour of certain workers, and you might meet these needs.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

The Provincial Nominee Program is aimed at semi and unskilled workers who have qualifications and work experience that matches the skills needed in a particular province or territory.

Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs)are completely location-based. You will not only be eligible for an ITA but also for a provincial nomination through Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Programs, which might help you stand out from other candidates, provided you create an Express Entry profile and indicate interest in a certain province or territory.

Step 5: Pack Your Bags

Even though you’ll have to collect a Confirmation of Permanent Residence Documents (COPR), you’ll have to become ‘landed’ when you enter Canada for the first time. When you arrive, make sure you do the administration work to make your life easier. For example, open a bank account and get a credit card. You should also start thinking about renting a more permanent place, and getting a vehicle. Once you’re in Canada you can connect with both the Kenyan Community and meet new and exciting people from all over the world.

FAQs

What factors can help increase my CRS score?

• Higher language proficiency in English and/or French
• Bilingualism in French and English
• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. education
• Canadian work or educational experience
• A Canadian sibling currently residing in Canada
• An arranged employment offer from a Canadian company
• A nomination from a provincial nominee program

What’s the best place to live in Canada?

This depends on many things: like the weather, the lifestyle you want and the occupation you have. Canada has both vibrant cities and endless landscapes. Certain places have bigger properties, some are more remote, and some have higher taxes.

Coming from Kenya, a warm and sunny place, you might get a bit of weather shock when you first arrive.

You might want a small-town life for you and your family and choose to settle in New Brunswick or Alberta, or perhaps you’d prefer the hustle-bustle of Vancouver in British Columbia.

Is it very cold in Canada?

Canada is a very northern country, which means you should expect hard snow in the winter months. The further north you go, the longer winter lasts.

Don’t panic! Canada also experiences warm summers, so you can take a trip down to the lake or the beach and enjoy the sun.

Ready to join the Kenyan community in Canada? Now that you know how to immigrate to Canada from Kenya in 2023 you can start the process. By contacting us today, we’ll set you up with one of the accredited RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) that we work with, who will guide you through the entire immigration and application process. Our RCICs are registered with the CCIC and are legally permitted to assist you by evaluating your eligibility, reviewing all documentation, and submitting it to the Canadian government on your behalf.