Canada’s immigration authority has announced ten Express Entry categories through which skilled workers from Kenya and across Africa can seek to move to the country. Canada listed skilled worker categories. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made the announcement on Thursday, August 7. It announced on X that the government is looking for skilled workers to help strengthen the Canadian economy and address labour shortages in key sectors. “We are looking for skilled workers to help strengthen the Canadian economy and address labour shortages in key sectors,” IRCC stated. The IRCC listed the following categories through which experienced professionals are being sought: French-language proficiency. Healthcare and social services occupations. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations Trade occupations. Education occupations. Transport occupations. Physicians with Canadian work experience. Senior managers with Canadian work experience. Researchers with Canadian work experience. Skilled military recruits. Who qualifies and how Canada selects categories To receive an invitation through a category-based round, applicants must first meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, which includes being eligible for at least one of the three immigration programmes it covers.
Candidates must also satisfy all requirements set out in the instructions for the specific round they are applying through. IRCC explained that priority categories are not chosen arbitrarily. The selection process draws on labour market information and forward projections, as well as input gathered from provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders from across the country. The announcement signals an ongoing effort by Canada to fill workforce gaps in sectors where domestic supply has not kept pace with economic demand, and it opens a structured pathway for qualified professionals across the continent to explore permanent residency through the Express Entry system. How much will workers earn in Canada? TUKO.co.ke previously reported that Canada’s federal government plans to admit up to 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026. The new rules detail expanded hiring opportunities across small worksites. As Kenyan job seekers face stiff competition for these roles, the changing landscape presents both challenges and potential avenues for employment in Canada’s dynamic job market.
