As a skilled individual looking to leave Nigeria, you will need to have a work visa. The process of obtaining this visa is becoming increasingly difficult by the day, but once you have the right skills and all your documents are in order, there are still many great countries that offer easy work visas.
Once you obtain this visa as a Nigerian professional, you will be permitted to live and work in the particular country depending on the number of years allowed by your visa.
There are two types of work visas: the temporary work visa and the permanent work visa. While the temporary visa is only valid for a few years before it can be renewed or upgraded, the permanent work visa allows you to live permanently in a foreign country and work there.
Here are the top countries that offer easy work visas for Nigerians:
1. Canada
Canada is a top-tier country that is in demand for an international workforce. Why it is easy to get the Canadian work visa is because it has multiple immigration pathways for workers, including the Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, and LMIA-based work permits.
2. Lithuania
Located in Europe, Lithuania is a great country for professionals because while the population of the country is low, it has high labor demand. Because of this, securing a work visa here is easy and relatively fast for non-EU nationals, including Nigerians.
3. Germany
The only reason you may want to shy away from this country is if you have no basic understanding of German. Apart from the language barrier, the country also ranks among the easiest to obtain a work visa. Through its Skilled Immigration Act and Job Seeker Visa, the country has opened up to non-EU workers seeking to fill its considerable labor gap.
4. Estonia
The process of applying for a work visa in Estonia is easy, and the acceptance rate is high. With many in-demand roles to be filled, Estonia receives fewer work visa requests than many other countries, even though it is a great place to live and work. A Nigerian can obtain the D Visa, which allows you to stay for a long term and begin work even as yoy apply for a permanent resident permit.
5. United Kingdom
The UK has remained one of the most favorite destinations for Nigerians looking to Japa. For professionals, the good news is that you can easily secure a work visa here. Through its Skilled Worker Visa program, the United Kingdom makes it possible for professionals to come and work in the country. It is easier for people in healthcare and IT.
6. Portugal
Portugal has opportunities for a wide range of workforce from healthcare to tech startups, hospitality, agriculture, and more. What makes it even more interesting is that the country has a flexible visa route, whether you are looking for work, a digital nomad, and D7 visas. Basic Portuguese will be helpful, although it is not mandatory for entry-level roles.
See Also: Easiest Countries to Get Residency Through Remote Work
7. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE has elaborate opportunities for an international audience, including Nigerians, seeking to work in the country. Hence, it is easy to secure the country’s work visa with hospitality, construction, healthcare, domestic work, security, and IT as some of the most in-demand fields. It gets even more interesting to know that most job offers in the UAE come with a sponsored work permit.
8. Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the most interesting countries for Nigerian professionals looking for easy work visas. While it is a small country, it has many opportunities and offers good remuneration, being one of the countries with the highest minimum wages in Europe. Luxembourg provides opportunities for individuals working in finance, logistics, healthcare, and IT, among others.
9. Poland
If you find yourself on the unskilled lane, looking for the easiest work visa to relocate from Nigeria, Poland should be top on your list. While it may not be the best bet for skilled professionals, it provides opportunities for workers in manufacturing, logistics, and cleaning lines. There are also opportunities for care workers. While you can get in with basic English knowledge, you can get better opportunities in the long term when you learn Polish.