Immigration in Kenya: 5 advantages of outsourcing

Global business interest in Kenya has recently blossomed. And the need for professional solutions to address on-the-ground reality has equally increased. Immigration in Kenya can be difficult to approach due to various reasons such as unclear information, complex procedures or administrative delays. 

So, have you ever thought of outsourcing your company’s immigration in Kenya? Many organisations, both big and small, do so because they know that handing over such functions to an external partner helps the business run better.

We have listed below the five main advantages for you and your business in East Africa should you decide to outsource your immigration:

Save time and save money with your immigration in Kenya

Administrations in Africa can be very frustrating since you are required to queue a lot before you can get any feedback. And it is not even sure that this feedback is correct. As the procedures become more complicated, the time and effort that can be spent on immigration issues is increasing.

For example, to secure your immigration needs in Kenya, you need someone going to the Immigration bureau every day. Creating a network with the immigration officers, finding out the right updated information on procedures, preparing technical immigration files, submitting and following-up applications at Immigration bureau and escalating any issue to officials.

But then, employing staff to handle the company’s immigration comes at a cost: salaries, benefits, taxes, computers, office furniture, etc. None of this comes into play when you outsource. Yes, you still pay the immigration firm but you can match the projects to your budget. You only pay for what you need. Nothing more, nothing less.

Focus on your business growth instead of immigration hassle

Your business is not about immigration in Kenya. So, getting the expertise on latest immigration policies is not where your focus should be. Let an immigration firm look after your expatriates’ immigration status while you focus on the core activities of your business. Those activities that will grow your business in East Africa and beyond.

Outsourcing immigration helps you get the focus back on your core business. Business development in Africa requires focus on the core activities of your company.  However, some non-core functions also need to be addressed efficiently. Outsourcing work is a tried-and-tested model and is recognised as a long term competitive strategy for success.

Get higher level of service for your immigration in Kenya

An immigration firm you’ve signed a contract with faces higher liability than in-house staff. This makes the immigration firm more likely to follow through on obligations. As immigration is supposed to be their core business, their work is also likely to be of a higher standard, minimising errors and improving the customer experience for your expatriate staff.

Get strategic immigration advice from experts in Kenya

Do you have comprehensive knowledge of immigration processes globally? The best immigration firms do not only process applications. They also provide assistance and advice when it comes to business decisions that affect your bottom line. Immigration law is a maze of policies and rules, with numerous details that you can’t afford spending time on.

Each visa application has prerequisites and will only be successful if those requirements are met. A first-class service provider will have a team of experts well-versed in immigration rules, policies and best practices. They will prepare applications efficiently and cost-effectively.

Avoid exposure with immigration and reduce your business liability in Kenya

Immigration is a difficult stage for an expatriate who has just arrived in Africa. Some unscrupulous officers may take advantage of your fatigue. They will offer to take care of your file in exchange for an “incentive”. It is actually corruption and it is a big threat for companies.

As a matter of fact, once you pay, you must understand that no any other immigration file from your company will be processed in future without another bribe. You are then stuck in a dead-end, subject to blackmail for bribery.

What is a legal exposure for the company becomes also quite costly at the end of the day. Outsourcing will therefore give you the peace of mind since this common risk will no longer be your problem.

Select the right immigration partner in Kenya with solid field expertise

Key considerations in your search for a reliable and efficient immigration outsourcing partner should be the field expertise, the years of experience and your network’s referrals.

Firstly, Long-term experience in global immigration processes is valuable however it is of no help for your specific local need. Indeed, most of global immigration groups will outsource to a local agent if they don’t have a presence locally. The quality standard will then be the one of the agent, not the global company.

For example, when it comes to immigration in Kenya, it is critical to know anytime where the application file is. Otherwise it is very likely that the file lies somewhere on a desk at Immigration unattended. In this case, it may create painful delays for the beneficiary.

Secondly, lawyers or advisory firms may step into immigration as a side business. Therefore they will assign your applications to local agents. In this case, the lawyers or advisory firms end up being unnecessary brokers, adding cost and complexity to an already complex process. Last but not least, never go for an immigration company charging based on hourly rate because they will have no interest to quickly sort out your case.

To sum up, time is the essence in this business. So, always choose a company with a clear and transparent price list based on the type of immigration procedures you need.

Conclusion

Today, outsourcing is no longer about cutting cost only. But also about reaping other benefits such as accessing skilled expertise, reducing overhead, limiting liability, flexible staffing, increasing quality of service, reducing turnaround time and eventually generating more profit.

That is why it is a strong asset to ensure the expatriate recruitment process runs smoothly and the related operations project doesn’t suffer any delay because of immigration.

As a result, selecting a reputable agent with a strong presence in the country and recognised field expertise, contributes to the smooth handling of each type of visa application.