Canada Opens a Real Path to Residency for Skilled Refugees in Kenya
Nairobi, 6 June 2026
Skilled refugees in Kenya, aged 21–55 with at least a high school diploma and one year of paid work experience, can now apply to live and work permanently in Canada — a programme that has already resettled over 1,300 refugees since 2018.
A Programme With a Proven Track Record
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is not a new idea — it has been quietly changing lives since Canada launched it in 2018 [2]. What makes it unusual is its design: rather than treating refugee resettlement and economic immigration as two separate systems, the EMPP brings them together into a single pathway [1]. Skilled refugees are matched with Canadian employers who have real job vacancies, and those employers sponsor candidates through existing Canadian economic immigration programmes [1]. Since the pilot began, more than 1,300 refugees have successfully immigrated to Canada through this route, supported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), NGO partners, and private sector employers [2]. Those employers include care homes, health services, and manufacturing companies — among them Glenhaven Manor, St Joseph’s Care Group, Tri-County Mennonite Homes, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, Chancellor Parks, Ice River Springs, and IKO Industries — operating in cities such as Thunder Bay, Pictou County, and beyond [2].
Who Can Apply: The Four Essential Requirements
UNHCR Kenya has opened a call for applications specifically targeting refugees living in Kenya, including those in Kakuma and Kalobeyei [1]. The eligibility criteria are straightforward and worth reading carefully before applying. To qualify, an applicant must meet all four of the following conditions: first, they must be a recognised refugee in Kenya; second, they must be between 21 and 55 years of age; third, they must have completed high school education; and fourth, they must have at least one year of completed, paid work experience in the field for which they are applying [1]. All four conditions must be met — meeting only some of them is not sufficient [1]. The programme is open to refugees with professional skills, trade qualifications, or higher education credentials that match what Canadian employers need [1].
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying is done entirely online. UNHCR Kenya has set up a dedicated application form, accessible at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoG6X3gsJMnlyn5jGYivpP8xABDMZ3rNjj8l0Q6uBcubyIZQ/viewform [1]. Applicants should complete this form carefully and honestly, as all information provided will be reviewed. For those who want more detailed guidance before applying, UNHCR Kenya has also made an information document available in English, which can be downloaded directly at: https://help.unhcr.org/kenya/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/07/Updated-EMPP-Call-for-Applications-July-2025-English-version.pdf [1]. It is strongly recommended that applicants read this document thoroughly before filling in the form. [alert! ‘The source does not specify a closing deadline for applications — applicants should check the UNHCR Kenya page directly for any deadline updates.’] The main UNHCR Kenya information page for this programme can be found at: https://help.unhcr.org/kenya/2025/07/14/economic-mobility-pathways-pilot-empp-call-for-applications/ [1].
Canada’s Commitment — and What Comes Next
The momentum behind the EMPP is growing at a political level. On 3 June 2026 — just three days before today’s date — UNHCR Canada appeared before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) as part of a formal study titled ‘Attracting and Empowering Global Talent to Strengthen Canada’s Economy’ [2]. Michael Cassasola, UNHCR Canada’s Senior Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, presented on behalf of UNHCR and made the case for strengthening the programme [2]. UNHCR is now actively monitoring Canada’s commitment to fulfil its Global Refugee Forum pledge, which is to transition the EMPP from a pilot into a permanent immigration programme [2]. Research from UNHCR shows that EMPP graduates have demonstrated high employer retention rates, career progression, and a strong commitment to further training — though challenges remain around credential recognition and obtaining temporary work permits while permanent residency applications are being processed [2]. One example of how these barriers have been navigated comes from Nova Scotia, where the provincial pharmacy regulator implemented the Jordan Pharmacy Licensure Pathway, successfully fast-tracking an initial cohort of 11 refugees and 6 Jordanian nationals into employment as pharmacists [2]. Future plans for the programme include using an ongoing IRCC evaluation to resolve the work permit issues and increasing capacity while reducing processing times [2]. For eligible refugees in Kenya, the window of opportunity is open now — and the evidence suggests that those who pass through it tend not to look back.