What should you carry with you when traveling to Canada for the first time? Should you carry food? What type of clothing should you get? Are there things you should declare to customs at your port of entry?

Here, Al Kandie, a Kenyan-Canadian citizen who resides in Manitoba, Canada, shared the basics of what you should carry when traveling to Canada for the first time from the perspective of a frequent traveler:

“First, congratulations on getting those visas for your family. It isn’t easy and many people really want to get that opportunity.

Karibuni Canada! It’s exciting to have one more Kenyan here, having a family to join our bigger family here is a special blessing.

For clothes, just carry enough that you’ll need. Most of what you’ll bring will be for summer. You will need to shop afresh for winter clothes once you get here. There are lots of clothes here – new and even used but good quality.

Depending on where you’re going to settle, some towns and cities have places you can get free clothes organized by churches and other organizations. Some community Facebook groups also have freebies that they can deliver to you if you can’t pick them up for some reason.

For flight food, I’d carry some nonperishable baby food if you have infants but if you choose not to, feel free to ask the cabin crew for food anytime. You only get if you ask.

I am not sure how prepared you are for flying but if you aren’t, look up some write-up I posted here a while back. It’s comprehensive although not exhaustive.

For your hair, if you’re into braids, carry them, lots and lots because they’re expensive here. I see people going for dreadlocks, or sister locks lately because in the long-run, they’re cheaper. If you know how to braid, good for you. You may be able to braid for yourself or make some money braiding for others.

For driving license, just bring your current one if you have. You will be allowed to drive in Canada for 3 months using your Kenyan DL in most provinces but you’ll eventually have to get a Canadian one.

There’s a knowledge test involved and a road test. Most people pass on their second try. It’s ok to fail a few times especially if you’ve been driving in Kenya a lot because you’ve to unlearn many things first.

I got Canada visit visa in Nairobi; it’s now revoked and I’ve been banned for 5yrs

For children’s clothes, refer above but don’t bring lots of their clothes. Unlike Kenya, because of seasons here, it means that the kids will wear clothes this season then they’re put away and when the same season comes around, they will have outgrown them.

Lastly, which province are you coming to? If you’re coming to Manitoba, especially Winnipeg, I can help you settle down. I can arrange to pick you up at the airport and help you get around and apply for all your documents. I have an agency – WatuLink and I’ve helped newcomers settle nicely.

If you’re going to another city, town in another province, you can still reach out to me and I may be able to link you up with other Kenyans because we’re almost all over. It’s great to get help from Kenyans here because they’ll give you all the information you will need to succeed if your ask.

Again, karibuni sana Canada!!”