Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany have emerged because the most-researched relocation locations amongst Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, as altering immigration insurance policies and rising visa charges reshape migration preferences.
This is based on the State of Japa 2026 Q3 report revealed by Japa Calculator on October 30, 2026, which analysed 1,645 relocation calculations carried out between July and September.
It additionally highlighted rising curiosity in African countries.
The rating relies on 1,645 relocation calculations carried out on Japa Calculator between July and September 2026, representing an 18% improve from the previous quarter. The platform recorded 4,569 calculations since its launch as of October 27, 2026.
The report famous that the calculations characterize relocation curiosity amongst customers of the platform moderately than precise migration figures.
The report additionally offered insights into the skilled backgrounds of Nigerians exploring relocation alternatives.
Software engineers, nurses, college students, lecturers, electricians and product designers have been among the many most regularly entered occupational classes throughout the assessment interval.
Nursing recorded 119 calculations, together with entries categorized as registered nurses, highlighting curiosity amongst healthcare professionals researching alternatives overseas.
Geographically, Lagos accounted for 39% of all calculations, adopted by Edo, Ogun, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Oyo State.
Interestingly, working remotely from Nigeria emerged because the highest-scoring suggestion in 53% of calculations, in contrast with 31% for remaining in Nigeria and 15% for relocating overseas.
Here are the highest 10 countries Nigerians researched for relocation in the third quarter of 2026, ranked by their share of calculations on Japa Calculator.
10. New Zealand – 4%
New Zealand ranked tenth among the many most-researched relocation locations for Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 4% of calculations carried out on Japa Calculator.
The nation maintained its place among the many prime locations, having ranked ninth in the second quarter with 3% of calculations.
New Zealand presents a number of immigration pathways for expert international employees, together with the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which permits eligible candidates to work for employers accredited by Immigration New Zealand.
The visa usually requires candidates to have a qualifying job supply from an accredited employer and meet related expertise, expertise and different eligibility necessities.
According to the Japa Calculator report, the estimated price of relocating to New Zealand via the AEWV pathway stood at N7.6 million, in contrast with N8.3 million a 12 months earlier.
This represents an 8% discount in naira phrases, largely reflecting the appreciation of the Nigerian forex.
The estimate covers visa-related bills, a one-way flight from Lagos and three months’ lease.
9. Ireland – 4%
Ireland emerged because the ninth most-researched relocation vacation spot amongst Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 4% of calculations.
The nation entered the highest 10 after rating exterior the main locations in the second quarter.
Ireland has turn into an possibility for expert professionals looking for employment alternatives in an English-speaking European nation, notably via its Critical Skills Employment Permit programme.
The allow targets occupations experiencing expertise shortages and customarily requires candidates to safe qualifying employment with an eligible employer.
According to Japa Calculator, the estimated price of relocating to Ireland via the Critical Skills Employment Permit pathway stood at N8.5 million, in contrast with N9.6 million a 12 months earlier.
This represents an 11% discount in naira phrases.
However, the report additionally clarified that intervals spent in Ireland underneath pupil immigration permissions, together with Stamp 2 and Stamp 2A, usually don’t depend in the direction of the residence necessities for naturalisation.
This distinction is vital for potential migrants considering training as a pathway to long-term settlement.
8. Cape Verde – 4%
Cape Verde ranked eighth among the many most-researched relocation locations for Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 4% of calculations on Japa Calculator.
The West African island nation entered the highest 10 after remaining exterior the main locations in the second quarter.
Its emergence displays a broader shift in the locations Nigerians are researching, with some customers exploring alternatives inside Africa alongside conventional migration markets in Europe and North America.
Cape Verde’s economic system is closely depending on tourism and providers, with hospitality, transportation and associated companies taking part in vital roles in employment and financial exercise.
However, alternatives for international employees depend upon native labour market situations and relevant immigration necessities.
Unlike a number of different locations assessed in the report, Japa Calculator didn’t present a particular relocation price estimate for Cape Verde in its revealed comparability of 21 countries.
The nation’s inclusion in the rating subsequently displays curiosity recorded on the platform moderately than proof of elevated migration or employment alternatives.
7. Saudi Arabia – 4%
Saudi Arabia ranked seventh among the many most-researched relocation locations for Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 4% of calculations.
The nation moved up from eighth place in the second quarter, when it accounted for 3% of searches.
Saudi Arabia continues to pursue financial diversification underneath its Vision 2030 programme, which seeks to increase financial exercise past oil and develop sectors together with tourism, leisure, know-how, logistics and infrastructure.
These investments have created demand for varied classes of employees, though employment alternatives for international nationals depend upon employer sponsorship, skilled {qualifications} and relevant labour laws.
Foreign professionals usually require a qualifying employment association and the mandatory work authorisation earlier than taking on employment in the dominion.
The Japa Calculator report didn’t present a particular relocation price estimate for Saudi Arabia among the many 21 countries assessed.
6. Rwanda – 5%
Rwanda emerged because the sixth most-researched relocation vacation spot amongst Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 5% of calculations carried out on Japa Calculator.
The East African nation entered the highest 10 after rating exterior the main locations in the second quarter.
Rwanda has positioned itself as a regional vacation spot for enterprise, know-how, tourism and funding, with Kigali serving as an vital centre for conferences, entrepreneurship {and professional} providers.
The nation can also be a part of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to advertise commerce and financial integration throughout taking part African countries.
For Nigerians considering relocation, employment, enterprise registration and longer-term residence stay topic to the related immigration and regulatory necessities.
5. United States – 7%
The United States dropped to fifth place among the many most-researched relocation locations for Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 7% of calculations.
This represents a pointy decline from the second quarter, when the nation ranked first with 17% of calculations.
The decline coincided with important modifications to US immigration insurance policies affecting Nigerian nationals.
Restrictions launched on January 1, 2026, suspended entry for sure Nigerian nationals looking for immigrant, customer, pupil and trade visas, topic to specified exceptions.
The affected classes embrace B-1, B-2, F, M and J visas, though the H-1B specialty occupation work visa was not included in the desired suspension.
Routine US visa providers in Nigeria have been additionally moved to Lagos from August 1, 2026.
Despite these restrictions, the report estimated that relocating via the H-1B pathway prices roughly N11.9 million, in contrast with N12.9 million a 12 months earlier. This represents an 8% discount in naira phrases.
4. Australia – 7%
Australia ranked fourth among the many most-researched relocation locations for Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 7% of calculations.
The nation moved up from fifth place in the second quarter, when it accounted for 6%.
Australia stays a vacation spot for expert employees and worldwide college students, though latest immigration coverage modifications have elevated software prices.
According to Japa Calculator, the Australian authorities elevated visa expenses by roughly 25% from July 1, 2026.
The Skilled (*10*) Visa (Subclass 189) software cost elevated from A$4,910 to A$6,135, whereas the Student Visa (Subclass 500) charge rose from A$2,000 to A$2,500 for most candidates.
Despite these will increase, the estimated naira price of relocating via the Skilled (*10*) Visa pathway declined marginally from N15.4 million to N15.2 million.
This represents a 2% discount, the smallest proportion decline among the many 21 relocation routes assessed in the report.
3. Germany – 8%
Germany emerged because the third most-researched relocation vacation spot amongst Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 8% of calculations.
The nation moved up from fourth place in the second quarter, though its share declined barely from 9%.
Germany presents a number of immigration pathways for certified international employees, together with the EU Blue Card, which permits eligible non-EU professionals to stay and work in the nation.
The programme usually requires candidates to satisfy qualification, employment and wage situations.
According to the report, the estimated price of relocating to Germany via the EU Blue Card pathway declined from N6.2 million to N5.5 million over the previous 12 months.
This represents an 11% discount in naira phrases.
The report additionally clarified that EU Blue Card holders might qualify for everlasting residence after 27 months of qualifying employment, or 21 months with B1-level German language proficiency, topic to relevant necessities.
2. United Kingdom – 11%
The United Kingdom ranked second among the many most-researched relocation locations for Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 11% of calculations.
Although the nation retained its second-place place from the earlier quarter, its share declined from 16%.
The UK stays a vacation spot for Nigerians considering expert employment, training and longer-term settlement, though visa charges and monetary necessities have elevated.
The estimated price of relocating via the Skilled Worker Visa pathway declined from N16.7 million to N15.4 million over the previous 12 months.
This represents an 8% discount in naira phrases, primarily reflecting exchange-rate actions.
The report additionally clarified that the prevailing settlement pathway for many qualifying work visa holders remained 5 years on the time of its evaluation, regardless of proposals to extend the usual qualifying interval.
1. Canada – 21%
Canada emerged because the most-researched relocation vacation spot amongst Nigerians in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 21% of calculations carried out.
The nation overtook the United States after rising from third place in the second quarter, when it accounted for 16% of calculations.
Canada presents a number of immigration pathways for expert international employees, together with Express Entry, which manages functions underneath federal financial immigration programmes.
The Federal Skilled Worker Programme permits eligible candidates with qualifying work expertise, language proficiency and different required credentials to compete for everlasting residence invites.
The estimated price of relocating to Canada via the Federal Skilled Worker pathway stood at N22.1 million, in contrast with N24.1 million a 12 months earlier. This represents an 8% discount in naira phrases.
The platform additionally estimated Express Entry-related authorities expenses at CAD 1,675 per grownup, together with processing, biometrics and everlasting residence charges.
