Kenya has missed out in a list of choice countries that have been selected by Canada for visa-free travel.
The list has for the first time included countries from Africa whose citizens will now be allowed to travel to Canada visa-free.
In the freshly released list that was announced by Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the only two African countries that made the list are Morocco and Seychelles.
It came weeks after Kenyan foreign affairs cabinet secretary Alfred Mutua travelled to Canada and claimed on social media that Kenya was engaging with Canada on travel and job opportunities. This statement was initially subtly denied by the IRCC.
Although Mutua eventually met with Mr. Fraser, a release from the IRCC indicated that no immigration agreement or discussions on potential agreements were discussed. Instead, Mutua appeared to have been taken through a list of the universal options for Canadian immigration, which Kenyans were encouraged to utilize.
The others in the list include  Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,    Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
“Introducing visa-free air travel will make it faster, easier, and more affordable for thousands of travellers to visit Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure,” theIImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in statement.
“It will also help grow Canada’s economy by facilitating more travel, tourism and international business, and by strengthening Canada’s relationships with these countries while keeping Canadians safe.”
According to the IRCC, this new decision will ease the visit visa case load that has resulted in a major backlog and this rekief will be transferred across all application classes with faster processing speeds.
Kenyan in Canada on Visit Visa to be deported after failed asylum claim
“This expansion not only enhances convenience for travellers, it will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries,” Minister Fraser added.
According to the IRCC, individuals who already have a valid visa can continue to use it to travel to Canada.
“Those who are not eligible for an eTA, or who are travelling to Canada by means other than air (for example, by car, bus, train and boat—including by cruise ship), will still need a visitor visa. Travellers can visit Canada.ca/eTA to find out whether they’re eligible for an eTA and how to apply for one,” the IRCC stated.