How Foreign Immigration Laws Will Affect Kenyan Migrants

In recent months, several foreign countries have implemented new regulations to limit the flow of immigrants entering their nations each year.

With certain regulations already implemented, individuals from Kenya who aspire to pursue education or employment abroad will be required to comply with these fresh regulations, which have faced backlash for being regressive. These changes will also have an impact on the amount of money sent back to Kenya by its citizens living abroad, with an estimated annual repatriation of Ksh670 billion. This figure is expected to rise to Ksh1 trillion within a year, as President William Ruto's administration has implemented measures to encourage these remittances.

In this piece, we offer a summary of the latest immigration regulations that Kenyans need to know about.

Canada

Canada has recently enforced a limit on the annual intake of international students, resulting in a 35% decrease in the usual number of students entering the country. This alteration will impact not just students pursuing diplomas or undergraduate degrees, but also those looking to extend their study permits. Canada is currently grappling with a housing crisis due to a surge in population, largely driven by immigration. To address this issue, the Canadian government has estimated a need for an additional 3.5 million housing units by 2030.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has taken steps to limit immigration, resulting in a decrease of 300,000 individuals, including a considerable amount of Kenyans. The United Nations reports that in 2023, 139,000 Kenyans migrated to the UK. These measures involve barring students from bringing their families along and raising the salary threshold for work visas. Previously, the salary requirement was Ksh5 million, but it has now been increased to Ksh8 million. In addition, the United Kingdom has eliminated the shortage occupation list, which granted employers the ability to pay immigrants 20% less than British citizens for equivalent positions.

This alteration seeks to establish a level playing field between citizens and immigrants, as employers previously favoured immigrants due to their lower wages. Consequently, British individuals now encounter increased expenses for the National Health Service (NHS), as the annual fees have escalated from Sh121,033 to Sh198,424. The NHS is a mandatory tax that guarantees accessible and affordable healthcare for all citizens.

Australia

Australia has recently implemented changes to its visa program to manage the influx of immigrants and support its economic goals. In December 2023, the previous 482 visa program was eliminated and replaced with the 'Skills in Demand' program, which operates on a three-tier system for temporary skilled migration. Successful applicants can participate in the program for a period of four years.

The new system includes a specific pathway for highly skilled immigrants with specialized expertise. The primary Skills pathway is open to individuals earning less than Sh22 million annually. Additionally, there is a separate pathway for care workers who provide essential assistance to the elderly and disabled.

Germany

Germany recently passed two immigration bills, one on January 18 and the other on January 19, 2024. The first bill focuses on streamlining the deportation process for asylum seekers whose claims may not be legitimate. The second bill aims to simplify the pathway for legal immigrants to obtain German citizenship. The reason behind the second law stems from the realization that out of Germany's population of 84 million, a staggering 13.4 million do not possess citizenship. This includes over 5 million individuals who have been living in the country for more than ten years. The government's delayed response in granting these residents citizenship has contributed to the steady increase in this figure over time.