Every day, Nigerians japa to the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada in their numbers. The economic and security situations in the country have found many moving to these highly advanced countries in search of greener pastures and safety.
These days, moving to these countries is becoming more difficult. For instance, the U.K. recently announced immigration changes, which will undoubtedly affect migrants. Canada is reportedly making immigration changes primarily due to the rising cost of housing in the country. It is no longer news that the U.S. visa is one of the most difficult documents to get.
But do you know there are other good countries to japa to, apart from the UK, the US and Canada? These countries also offer a great quality of life, with robust economies and need immigrants to fill in the vacancies to help boost the economies even better.
Therefore, these are the top 10 countries to japa to apart from the aforementioned hot destinations.
Switzerland
According to HSBC Expat, Switzerland is one of the top four countries to live and work in. A survey showed that 82 per cent of immigrants said their standard of living has improved significantly since moving to Switzerland. The country is also famous for its great ecology, meaning you can lead an active lifestyle and enjoy the fresh air.
However, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to live in. Obtaining a resident permit is not difficult as priority is given to people from the European Union and the European Free Trade Zone Association such as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Also, it is difficult to get a job in places other than specialised fields like IT, medicine and finance. Switzerland’s immigration policies primarily encourage financially independent foreigners who do not need a job.
Meanwhile, Swiss universities offer high-quality education with comparatively low tuition fees for Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate degrees. With a student visa, you are permitted to stay in the country and find work for a maximum of six months after graduation.
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New Zealand
New Zealand is ranked one of the best places to live globally. The country has drawn the interest of many Nigerians due to its quality of life, nature, strong economy and security. Most foreign experts work in the thriving tourism, agriculture, education, health care and forestry sectors.
You can migrate to New Zealand from Nigeria through several routes, many of which start with a temporary visa that allows you to study or start a business in the country. Some of the routes include skilled migration, business migration and partner visa.
Germany
Germany is a hot japa destination for Nigerians due to its high quality of education. According to the world ranking of 500 best universities, there are 47 German universities on the list. Some of them include Ludwig and Maximilian University of Munich, Ruprecht and Karl University Heidelberg and Technical University.
Even better, many of these universities offer courses in English as long as you can show proof of English language proficiency. Also, the German government allows international students to work a total of 120 full days and 240 half days.
Australia
Immigration to Australia from Nigeria increased at a yearly rate of 11.88 per cent as of 2021. Hence, the country is one of the hottest immigration destinations for Nigerians.
According to Nairametrics, Australia is accepting Nigerians with permanent residency in more than 400 different occupations, as well as for working holiday visas, student visas, working visas and more. There are different types of visas for people looking for permanent residency and they are categorised as 189, 190 and 491 Australian visa subclasses.
Holders of 189 and 190 Australian Permanent Residency visas are allowed to live and work in Australia and enter and leave the country as they choose without the need for further visas. Other benefits that come with this visa include access to the country’s world-class medical care, education for children, own property and the ability to convert Permanent Residency visas to full Australian citizenship.
Also, the 491 visa, launched in November 2019, is a Skilled Work Regional visa and has 14,000 places allocated per year. Holders can use it for five years and can convert it to a permanent visa.
Singapore
According to HSBC Bank, Singapore leads in the ratio of living standards to income for foreign workers. The average yearly income of a foreign specialist is $162,000. IT, medicine, engineering and teaching in foreign languages are the most in-demand jobs in the country.
There are two routes to explore if you want to enter Singapore – the Direct Employment route and the Study to Stay route.
Spain
The Spanish economy is the fifth largest in Europe. Spain is known for its rich culture and comfortable climate. Also, the country has a low cost of living and buying real estate properties.
Spain also has a favourable migration policy for foreigners. You can get a resident permit within two or three months as long as you invest in a business there. For instance, the minimum investment in the Spanish real estate business is €500,000.
Finland
Finland has the happiest people in the world, according to the United Nations World Happiness Report. The country is also ranked in the top 5 prosperous countries in 2023 by the Legatum Institute of Prosperity. Finland is also known for its high-quality educational sector. The cost of living is also low, making it one of the best places to live.
Luxembourg
According to the US News and World Report, Luxembourg is ranked first as the most convenient country for business development. The country is also ranked sixth in the International Tax Competitiveness Index. This means Luxembourg is the perfect country to start and develop a business. Also, hired workers can obtain a Blue Card, which is a resident permit for highly qualified specialists.
Austria
Austria’s capital city, Vienna, topped the ratings for the most comfortable cities for life, overtaking Australia’s Melbourne which remained top of the rankings for a consecutive seven years. It only takes 90 days to move and legalise in the country. It also takes the same number of days to obtain a resident permit in exchange for investment.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands rounds up the list of countries to japa to aside the U.K., U.S. and Canada. This country is known for its quality of life, work-life balance, and strong economy. The education system is excellent with cutting-edge research in academia. With sustainable energy and a clean environment, the Netherlands is a great place to find work in tech or energy.
