Best Countries to Move to From Nigeria (2026): 10 Compared

What 'best' means on this page

There is no single best country to move to from Nigeria, and this page does not rank destinations. It compares ten destinations, in alphabetical order, on the same four checks, using official pages only: (A) whether a Nigerian passport holder needs an entry visa, as the official page states; (B) the main skilled-work route and the conditions its official page states; (C) whether a spouse or partner and children can come; (D) anything specific to Nigerian nationals, or a dated change in force or coming. Where the official pages we read do not answer a check, we say so. The page does not cover costs, processing times, rankings, chances of approval or personal advice. We read every page on 7 October 2026. Official pages change: South Africa's visa exemption list, for example, is headed as subject to change without notice. Confirm each rule on the official page before acting.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Countries exempt from South African visas (Visa Exemption List)

Read this first: the United States

Presidential Proclamation 10998 is effective from 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on 1 January 2026. It suspends the entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. For any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Nigeria, consular officers must reduce the validity to the extent permitted by law. It applies only to people who were outside the United States without a valid visa on the effective date, and it revokes no visa issued before that date. Exceptions include lawful permanent residents, dual nationals travelling on a passport of a country not designated, holders of certain listed A, C, G and NATO visas, certain athletes, Special Immigrant Visas for US Government employees, and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. Case-by-case national-interest exceptions are possible. On a page last updated 15 July 2026, the State Department says these suspensions remain in place.

The White House (United States): Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States (Presidential Proclamation 10998) US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Realignment of U.S. Visa Services in Africa to Regional Hubs

Australia: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Core Skills stream

Entry visa: the Australian High Commission in Nigeria says all non-citizens need to obtain a visa before travelling to Australia. Work route: the employer must nominate the worker for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List. The worker needs at least 1 year of relevant work experience and must meet minimum English unless exempt; Nigerian passports are not among the passports exempt. For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD79,423. The visa allows work for the sponsor, only in the nominated occupation, for up to 4 years. Family: if the applicant has not held a subclass 457 or 482 visa before, a partner and dependent children or stepchildren can be included, but not added after applying; the family can live, study and work in Australia. Nigeria-specific or recent: the official pages we read state no rule specific to Nigerians; the threshold rose from AUD76,515 on 1 July 2026.

Australian High Commission, Nigeria: Visas and citizenship Department of Home Affairs (Australia): Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Core Skills stream Department of Home Affairs (Australia): English proficiency (subclass 482) Department of Home Affairs (Australia): Salary requirements to nominate a worker Department of Home Affairs (Australia): Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026

Canada: Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)

Entry visa: IRCC lists Nigeria among countries whose citizens need a valid visitor visa and passport to visit or transit through Canada. Work route: this permanent residence program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience. IRCC asks for at least 1 year of continuous paid work, or 1,560 hours, in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 within the last 10 years; language tests (CLB 7); secondary education, with an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education; proof of funds, unless authorised to work in Canada with a valid job offer; and a plan to live outside Quebec. A score of 67 points or higher out of 100 may qualify; no job offer is required. Candidates enter a pool, and IRCC invites those with the most points in rounds. Family: a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children processed as dependants can come with or after the applicant. Nigeria-specific or recent: since 25 March 2025, job offers no longer add Comprehensive Ranking System points.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): What you need to enter Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Express Entry: Who can apply Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Express Entry documents: Proof of funds Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Immigrate through Express Entry Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Which family members can come with me to Canada when I immigrate? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Express Entry: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

Germany: EU Blue Card

Entry visa: the Federal Foreign Office's visa table and its missions in Nigeria say Nigerian citizens need a visa. Work route: under section 18g of the Residence Act, a skilled worker with a university degree is granted a Blue Card for a job matching the qualification if paid at least 50 per cent of the pension contribution ceiling, without the Federal Employment Agency's consent, or at least 45.3 per cent, with the Agency's consent, in listed occupation groups or where the degree was obtained no more than three years before applying. A Federal Gazette notice sets the 2026 minimums at 50,700 and 45,934.20 euros a year. Family: a Blue Card holder's spouse is entitled to a permit if both are 18 or over; the Residence Act says the simple-German condition does not apply when the worker holds a Blue Card. Minor unmarried children are entitled to a permit if both parents, or the sole custodian, hold such a title, and joining family members may work. Nigeria-specific or recent: the German missions in Nigeria say that since 1 July 2025 a visa refusal can no longer be appealed to the mission.

Federal Foreign Office (Germany): Overview of visa requirements/exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany German Missions in Nigeria (Federal Foreign Office): Visa and entry Federal Ministry of Justice, German federal law portal: Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) — Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger), Germany: Bekanntmachung zu § 18g des Aufenthaltsgesetzes über die Mindestgehälter für die Blaue Karte EU (BAnz AT 18.12.2025 B3) Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Germany: Nachzug zu ausländischen Familienangehörigen Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany): Arbeitsmigration

Ghana: Work and Residence Permit

Entry visa: the Ghana Immigration Service's visa table lists Nigeria among ECOWAS states with 'Visa not required for all types of passports', with entry subject to prescribed conditions. The service says staying for a substantial period, usually more than 90 days, needs a residence permit. Work route: a foreign national lawfully admitted to Ghana may apply to the Comptroller-General of Immigration for a Work and Residence Permit; requirements include an offer, appointment letter or contract of employment. A residence permit allows work only if the permit says so. No official page we read says whether ECOWAS citizens, including Nigerians, need a Ghanaian work permit. Family: a dependant permit covers spouses and children of expatriates; spouses qualify when married for more than 4 years. Nigeria-specific or recent: under ECOWAS protocols, Community citizens have the right to enter, reside and establish in Member States, including residence for income-earning employment in line with the rules for national workers, and residents must obtain an ECOWAS residence card or a residence permit.

Ghana Immigration Service: Visas (Ghana Visa Regime table) Ghana Immigration Service: Frequently Asked Questions Ghana Immigration Service: Work and Residence Permit (Companies) Ghana Immigration Service: Residence Permit (Dependant) ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States): ECOWAS Protocol A/P.1/5/79 relating to Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States): ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/7/86 on the Second Phase (Right of Residence) of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and Establishment (Official Journal of the ECOWAS, Vol. 9)

Ireland: Critical Skills Employment Permit

Entry visa: Ireland's Visas Order lists Nigeria in Schedule 5, whose nationals must hold a valid Irish transit visa, and an amending order in operation from 15 June 2026 keeps Nigeria there. The immigration service's nationality table answers 'Yes' for Nigeria on whether a visa is required. Work route: the permit needs a job offer of at least 2 years. Regulations in operation from 1 March 2026 set minimum annual pay at €40,904 for listed critical-skills employments with a qualifying qualification, €36,848 where a level 8 or higher qualification was obtained in the 12 months before applying, and €68,911 for other employments covered. Family: a spouse, civil partner, de facto partner or unmarried child under 18 may apply to join immediately, subject to financial thresholds. Spouses and de facto partners can work without an employment permit. Immigration Service Delivery says dependant minor children of Critical Skills permit holders will be registered on a Stamp 1G from the age of 16, which allows them to take up employment without a separate employment permit. Nigeria-specific or recent: the official pages we read state no other rule specific to Nigerian nationals.

Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): S.I. No. 473/2014 - Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2014 Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): S.I. No. 242/2026 - Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2026 Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland): Critical Skills Employment Permit Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): S.I. No. 643/2025 - Employment Permits (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2025 Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice (Ireland): Joining a non-EEA/non Swiss national Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland): Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice (Ireland): Visa & Non-Visa Required Nationalities irishimmigration.ie: Right to work for Minor Children of Employment Permit Holders

Netherlands: highly skilled migrant residence permit

Entry visa: the IND says the need for a provisional residence permit (MVV) for stays over 90 days depends on nationality, and Nigeria is not on its list of nationalities that do not need one. The government's visa wizard, answered for a Nigerian national coming to work for more than 90 days, says an MVV is needed; the wizard says its result is not legally binding. Work route: only an IND-recognised employer can apply. The salary must be the market rate and meet the required amount each month; the IND's required amounts for 2026, also set in the law (version in force since 1 August 2026), are at least €4,357 a month under age 30 and €5,942 from age 30, excluding holiday allowance. Family: a spouse, partner or minor child needs their own residence permit, and needs no permit to work. Nigeria-specific or recent: documents from Nigeria must first be legalised by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government wants a higher income requirement; the date is not yet known.

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands: Provisional residence permit (MVV) Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands: Highly skilled migrant Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands: Residence permit for work as a highly skilled migrant Dutch government law portal (wetten.overheid.nl): Besluit uitvoering Wet arbeid vreemdelingen 2022, artikel 2.1 (kennismigranten) Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands: Required amounts income requirements Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), Netherlands: Coming to work in the Netherlands NetherlandsWorldwide (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): Legalisation of documents from Nigeria for use in the Netherlands Business.gov.nl (Netherlands government): Rules for highly skilled migrants to change NetherlandsWorldwide (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): visa check, result texts for stays over 90 days NetherlandsWorldwide (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): Do I need a visa for the Netherlands?

South Africa: critical skills work visa

Entry visa: the official list we read, Home Affairs' visa exemption list issued on 9 December 2025, shows a 90-day exemption for Nigeria only for diplomatic, official and service passports. Home Affairs lists Nigeria among countries whose ordinary-passport holders are charged visitor's visa fees. Work route: the visa follows the critical skills list gazetted on 3 October 2023. Applications need an offer of employment from a verifiable employer in good standing with the Department of Employment and Labour. Foreign qualifications need a SAQA evaluation; with only proof of application, the visa is issued for one year. Applicants must meet all other requirements and earn 100 points. Family: the Immigration Act lets the visa also be issued to immediate family members the Director-General determines, and Home Affairs says spouses and children may get visitor's visas to join a work visa holder. Nigeria-specific or recent: in a statement dated 4 December 2024, the Presidency said South African missions in Nigeria let visitors apply without handing in their passports: they submit certified copies of the passport's biopage, make the passport available for verification during the application, and hand it in once the visa is approved.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Countries exempt from South African visas (Visa Exemption List) Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): South African visas: types of visas and requirements Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Critical Skills Visa Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Critical Skills Work Visa: documents required (section 19(4) of the Immigration Act) South African Government (gov.za): Immigration Act: Points-Based System (Government Notice 5448, Government Gazette 51416) Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Immigration Act 13 of 2002 (consolidated text) South African Government (gov.za): Statement on simplified visa process for Nigerian visitors

United Arab Emirates: work permit and employer-sponsored work visa

Entry visa (federal): the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' list shows 'Visa Required' for the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the page prints no date. Work route (federal): working in the UAE without a valid work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is illegal. The employer issues a work offer under the ministry's standard contract and applies for the permit, which lets the worker enter and stay for two months while the residence permit is finalised. The federal Green Residence for skilled workers requires an employment contract, ministry skill levels 1 to 3, at least a bachelor's degree and a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000. Family (federal): residents may bring a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs; the government portal gives a minimum sponsor salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, and says conditions may change. Nigeria-specific or recent: the official pages we read state no other rule specific to Nigerian nationals.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UAE): Visa information to enter the country (list of nationalities: visa free / visa required) UAE Government portal (u.ae): Work permits UAE Government portal (u.ae): Employment of expatriates in privately held companies Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), UAE: Green Residence Guide UAE Government portal (u.ae): Residence visa for families of employees

United Kingdom: Skilled Worker visa

Entry visa: Nigeria is on the visa national list in the Immigration Rules, whose nationals need entry clearance before travelling to the UK for any purpose, unless an exception applies. Work route: a Skilled Worker needs a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor and usually a salary of at least £41,700 a year or the going rate, whichever is higher; GOV.UK says some applicants can be paid less, and some healthcare and education jobs have different salary rules. For someone applying from outside the UK, 'medium skilled' jobs qualify only if on the immigration salary list or the temporary shortage list. English must be at least level B2; Nigeria is not among the exempt nationalities. Family: a partner and children under 18 may be able to join, and may work except as a professional sportsperson; for medium-skilled and care jobs, family outside the UK can join only if the worker meets dated conditions (see the family question below), or the child was born in the UK. Nigeria-specific or recent: Nigeria is on the UK's tuberculosis test list: a test is needed by people coming for 6 months or more who have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more and were living there within the last 6 months.

GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Skilled Worker visa: Overview GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Skilled Worker visa: Your job GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Skilled Worker visa: Your partner and children GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: Countries where you need a TB test for your UK visa application GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: Check if you need a TB test for your visa application

United States: employment-based immigrant visas (green card)

Entry visa: the official pages we read do not state this directly; the proclamation above suspends entry on B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visitor visas. Work route: USCIS lists five employment-based preference categories, including EB-2 for members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability, and EB-3 for professionals, skilled workers and other workers. Some need a permanent job offer from a US employer, who files the petition; for EB-2 and EB-3 the employer must generally first obtain a labor certification. H-1B is a separate nonimmigrant classification for specialty occupations. Family: a spouse or unmarried child under 21 may apply as a derivative of an employment-based applicant. Nigeria-specific or recent: the proclamation's exceptions do not include employment-based immigrant visas, and the State Department says the immediate-family exceptions of Proclamation 10949 are no longer available. Nigeria was on the list of countries whose natives could not take part in DV-2026.

The White House (United States): Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States (Presidential Proclamation 10998) US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Permanent Workers US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): H-1B Specialty Occupations US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: DV 2026 - Selected Entrants US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States

What changed recently or is about to change

United States: a State Department pause on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, Nigeria among them, began on 21 January 2026 and is no longer in effect as of 21 August 2026 following a court order; it was separate from the Proclamation 10998 suspensions, which the State Department said on 15 July 2026 remain in place. From 1 August 2026, routine visa services in Abuja are realigned to a regional hub, and Lagos is a post providing them. A September 2026 proclamation extends to 21 September 2027 a restriction on H-1B entry unless the petition is accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000; USCIS says a court vacated agency guidance implementing that payment on 8 June 2026, an appeals court refused to pause that order on 24 July 2026, and DHS will comply with the order while it considers next steps; DHS still plans to collect the payment if the order is lifted. The USCIS page does not mention the September 2026 extension. United Kingdom: settlement English rises to B2 from 26 March 2027. South Africa: a directive signed on 8 July 2026 waives the medical report for visa applications; a White Paper of 26 March 2026 proposes one skilled worker visa replacing the critical skills and general work visas.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): H-1B Specialty Occupations The White House (United States): Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (Proclamation of September 18, 2026) GOV.UK (Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration): Explanatory memorandum to the statement of changes in the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, 5 March 2026 Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026: blanket waiver of the medical report requirement (Government Gazette 55016) Department of Home Affairs (South Africa): Cabinet-approved final revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Realignment of U.S. Visa Services in Africa to Regional Hubs US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of U.S. Public Benefits Reliance

What this page does not cover

This page does not cover costs, fees, processing times, typical salaries or salary averages (only the minimum pay a route requires), chances of approval, other routes (such as study, investor, family-only, regional or provincial routes), or every condition of each route. Check the official pages for them.