If you have been disappointed by the recent political outcome, you are not alone. You may have lost all hope, and may be seeking the next available exit out of this homegrown mess. I feel you. I am the same, and I started the research for this post when I was teetering on the edge of should I stay or should I go?
I carried out a lot of research in this time, and just decided to document my findings, just in case. I will be sharing results of my extensive research in this post. I understand that everyone is different, so I cannot recommend any one country or system of applying. So I will lay the facts bare in this post and let you decide. I will also try and keep it short, simple and understandable as there is a lot to go through.
Based on what I have found, here are the top countries that Nigerians can immigrate to. I actually also found that some countries are relatively easy to get a visa to trave to, biut not necessarily immigrate to. I will cover these as well, as you never know when you might need to “see the world” urgently.
- CANADA: Canada as a country welcomes Nigerians – especially skilled Nigerians. While there are rumours that the immigration-friendly president, Justin might be kicked out in October, the country is still accepting skilled immigrants so if Canada is your number one migration choice, the time to act is now. The official languages are French and English, so as long as you can speak either language, you should be ok. Certain provinces are French-only, so bear that in mind – but if you are fluent in both languages, you should be able to live in any province. The standard of living is very high, and people are known for being very polite and friendly. The holy trinity of immigrating to Canada are – minimum of 1 year professional working experience, proof of savings to cover relocation costs and a job offer. If you have all 3 things in place, your chances of success are probably over 80%. With these, you will be able to migrate through the federal skilled worker program. The process is actually quite straight-forward, but if you want to pay a professional to guide you through, there’s always that option.
- AUSTRALIA: Like Canada, Australia offers a skills-based immigration program which allows you to lawfully work and live in Australia. Most Nigerians have found success by first visiting as a student, volunteering (to get work experience) throughout their studies and then applying for work with x years working experience (x = number of years studying/working). A good job would definitely reward you with a work permit that allows you to live permanently there. You will find the different skills required, and the visas you can apply for here.
- USA: If you can find your way into the United States legally, by all means, go ahead. USA is the world’s most powerful country. I don’t need to explain why USA is on this list, but a few years ago Nigerians could immigrate by winning the visa lottery but this has been brought to an end. These days, you can now explore the options of migrating as a student, as a spouse of a US citizen, and via the work invitation route. The work invitation isn’t as daunting as it sounds as there’s currently a loophole that isn’t too stressful. Also long as you have a University degree, there is a H1B visa that allows you to work in the US as long as you find a job through one of the many employers that accept H1B visa applicants. There is actually a US-based company – H1Base.com – that specialises in only this type of visa. They link applicants to jobs that accept H1B visa and for about $300, you get a dedicated advisor who not just help you with your visa application, but also who will help you search and apply for jobs you are eligible for. This is the short cut that can very easily change a 3-year trial and error into a 3-month success.
- GERMANY: Germany is a very popular migrant destination for immigrants all over the world. Perhaps this is because it is the largest country in Central Europe, or perhaps because it is one of the most economically viable. Or perhaps it is the lure of the “German machine”. Whatever the case, Germany has for the last 50 years, been open and accepting of skilled immigrants (notice a pattern here?). In December 2018, they even implemented a law that made it easier for employers to employ skilled immigrants, as the country had 1.2m vacancies to fill from lorry drivers, nurses carpenters, to care support workers. Yes, some people might see the language as a barrier, but for some jobs, you don’t even have to speak German. This government page (in English) is the best place to start the process. If however you want to visit first to weight your options before making a commitment, you will need a schengen visa to enter Germany. Usually, it is easier to find a job/training program, enter and then apply for settlement. To qualify for a Schengenhttps://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/schengen_visa_en visa, which allows you visit 26 countries in the EU for up to 180 days.
Want to Work in America ? – Click Here to Find Your H1B Visa Job
- NORWAY: To survive in Norway, you have to learn to speak and write in Norwegian. Most people there understand English language but the ability to speak Norwegian gives you more stability. The standard of living is the highest in the world. The southern and western parts of Norway experience milder winters than the southeastern part. They deal a lot with exporting oil and gas products and the revenue from this have risen to 45% of total exports and constitute more than 20% of the GDP. The unemployment rate is low and you earn a lot more than you would in other countries in the world. The country is a quiet and peaceful one.
- DENMARK – The per capita income in Denmark is $ 55,000. The unemployment rate is below 5%. A few people there speak English language but to fit in quickly, you have to learn the official language which is Danish. Denmark is a country that radiates with peace and happiness; it provides you with financial stability.
- NETHERLANDS – The per capita income in Netherlands is $46000. The unemployment rate is lower than 4.6% here. Netherlands also includes most of present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and some land of France and Germany. It is one of the best countries to migrate to. The weather is relatively accommodating; temperature in the summer is around 10 degree Celsius. The official language in Netherlands is Dutch.
- LUXEMBOURG – The country is highly developed. It’s GDP per capital is about $105,000) according to the IMF and World Bank. The economy is relatively stable and the income is high. The unemployment rate is less than 5%. The officially recognized languages in Luxembourg are French, German, and Luxembourgish. However, a lot of people can communicate in English. The main occupations in Luxembourg are steel, transportation and communication.
- LIECHTENSTEIN: This country is quite small with an area of 164km sq. and population of 35,700. However, it is a rich country and its unemployment rate is 1.5%, sort of the lowest in the world. Per capita income is $113,000. The official language in Liechtenstein is German. The country is safe and it would amaze you the residents rarely lock their doors when going out.
