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 in line with the State of Japa 2026 Q3 report printed by Japa Calculator on October 30, 2026, which analysed 1,645 relocation calculations performed between July and September.
It additionally highlighted rising curiosity in African countries.
The rating relies on 1,645 relocation calculations performed on Japa Calculator between July and September 2026, representing an 18% enhance from the previous quarter. The platform recorded 4,569 calculations since its launch as of October 27, 2026.
The report famous that the calculations symbolize relocation curiosity amongst customers of the platform slightly than precise migration figures.
The report additionally supplied 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 ceaselessly entered occupational classes in the course of 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 performed on Japa Calculator.
The nation maintained its place among the many high locations, having ranked ninth in the second quarter with 3% of calculations.
New Zealand presents a number of immigration pathways for expert international staff, 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 provide 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 by means of the AEWV pathway stood at N7.6 million, in contrast with N8.3 million a yr 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’ hire.
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 outdoors the main locations in the second quarter.
Ireland has turn into an choice for expert professionals searching for employment alternatives in an English-speaking European nation, significantly by means of its Critical Skills Employment Permit programme.
The allow targets occupations experiencing expertise shortages and usually requires candidates to safe qualifying employment with an eligible employer.
According to Japa Calculator, the estimated price of relocating to Ireland by means of the Critical Skills Employment Permit pathway stood at N8.5 million, in contrast with N9.6 million a yr earlier.
This represents an 11% discount in naira phrases.
However, the report additionally clarified that durations spent in Ireland below scholar immigration permissions, together with Stamp 2 and Stamp 2A, usually don’t rely in direction of the residence necessities for naturalisation.
This distinction is necessary 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 outdoors 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 companies, with hospitality, transportation and associated companies taking part in necessary roles in employment and financial exercise.
However, alternatives for international staff 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 selected relocation price estimate for Cape Verde in its printed comparability of 21 countries.
The nation’s inclusion in the rating subsequently displays curiosity recorded on the platform slightly 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 below its Vision 2030 programme, which seeks to develop financial exercise past oil and develop sectors together with tourism, leisure, expertise, logistics and infrastructure.
These investments have created demand for numerous classes of staff, though employment alternatives for international nationals depend upon employer sponsorship, skilled {qualifications} and relevant labour rules.
Foreign professionals usually require a qualifying employment association and the required work authorisation earlier than taking over employment in the dominion.
The Japa Calculator report didn’t present a selected 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 performed on Japa Calculator.
The East African nation entered the highest 10 after rating outdoors the main locations in the second quarter.
Rwanda has positioned itself as a regional vacation spot for enterprise, expertise, tourism and funding, with Kigali serving as an necessary centre for conferences, entrepreneurship {and professional} companies.
The nation can also be a part of the African (*10*) 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 vital adjustments to US immigration insurance policies affecting Nigerian nationals.
Restrictions launched on January 1, 2026, suspended entry for sure Nigerian nationals searching for immigrant, customer, scholar 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 required suspension.
Routine US visa companies in Nigeria have been additionally moved to Lagos from August 1, 2026.
Despite these restrictions, the report estimated that relocating by means of the H-1B pathway prices roughly N11.9 million, in contrast with N12.9 million a yr 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 staff and worldwide college students, though current immigration coverage adjustments have elevated software prices.
According to Japa Calculator, the Australian authorities elevated visa expenses by roughly 25% from July 1, 2026.
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) software cost elevated from A$4,910 to A$6,135, whereas the Student Visa (Subclass 500) payment rose from A$2,000 to A$2,500 for most candidates.
Despite these will increase, the estimated naira price of relocating by means of the Skilled Independent 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 staff, together with the EU Blue Card, which permits eligible non-EU professionals to reside and work in the nation.
The programme usually requires candidates to fulfill qualification, employment and wage situations.
According to the report, the estimated price of relocating to Germany by means of the EU Blue Card pathway declined from N6.2 million to N5.5 million over the previous yr.
This represents an 11% discount in naira phrases.
The report additionally clarified that EU Blue Card holders could 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 by means of the Skilled Worker Visa pathway declined from N16.7 million to N15.4 million over the previous yr.
This represents an 8% discount in naira phrases, primarily reflecting exchange-rate actions.
The report additionally clarified that the present 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 performed.
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 staff, together with Express Entry, which manages purposes below 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 by means of the Federal Skilled Worker pathway stood at N22.1 million, in contrast with N24.1 million a yr 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.
