In 2026, Express Entry cut‑offs for the Canadian Experience Class have risen above a CRS score of 507, making permanent residence considerably harder for international graduates.

Over 300,000 post‑graduation work permits (PGWPs) are set to expire in the first quarter of 2026, creating a narrow window for Kenyan graduates to act.

Working only in TEER‑4 or TEER‑5 occupations, such as food service or retail, disqualifies applicants from the Canadian Experience Class, which requires at least 12 months of skilled work in TEER‑0 to TEER‑3 roles.

Ignoring French language proficiency costs a significant advantage, as French‑language draws in 2026 have lower CRS cut‑offs (379‑446) compared with general draws (507‑525), and bilingual candidates earn an extra 25‑50 points.

Delaying language tests until the final months of a PGWP can be fatal because of booking backlogs, processing delays and the need for possible retakes; early testing is advised.

A passport that expires before the PGWP ends will cause IRCC to shorten the work permit to match the passport date, leaving little time to accumulate the required work experience.

Applying for a second PGWP‑eligible programme after the first without understanding "programme stacking" can prevent extending the combined permit to the three‑year maximum; once a PGWP is filed, additional programme length cannot be added.

Missing the deadline to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) or a work‑permit extension—even by one day—forces the graduate to stop working immediately and lose maintained status.