By Samson Echenim
Nigerians are not only the most travelled people on earth, but they are also one with the largest migrant rate. While we do not encourage you leave your motherland, we understand that citizens in every country do change residential and job locations across countries. So, if you are one of several hundreds of
Nigerians who desire a change of geographical domain in 2020, Traveller & Hospitality brings you the six easiest countries you could migrate to as a Nigerian and the list is not exhausted.
Belgium
If you love the idea of enjoying limitless beer and chocolate in a cozy little country dotted with gorgeous architecture and breathtaking natural beauty, consider Belgium. You will need a job to be granted a permanent residency visa, but you can apply from home. Once you land a job, you only need to hold onto it for two weeks before becoming eligible for a residency permit. That’s not an offer to stay forever just yet, but as long as you keep working, you are moving toward it.
Ecuador
Ecuador has virtually unmatched natural beauty in the form of mountain peaks, volcanoes, beaches, and islands. It is named after the equator, which runs through it, and is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature. The cost of living in Ecuador is very low, and the US dollar is the official currency.
The easiest way to get permanent residence in Ecuador is called a pensioner’s visa. Though designed for retirees, there aren’t actually any age requirements to get one. You just need to prove that you will receive $800 per month for the length of your stay, no matter how long that is. Is it not kind of mind-boggling to think about living comfortably on that amount of money?
Belize
If you want to spend your days on the beach, definitely take a look at Belize. The average temperature is 84F (29C), so you can have as many beach days as you want. Located between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is a small country with a population that harmoniously represents no less than eight different cultures. It is also an English-speaking country with a very low cost of living.
Getting to Belize is pretty easy. You can enter on a 30-day visitor visa and simply keep renewing it every month until you’ve lived there for 50 weeks. At that point, a $1,000 fee and a few bureaucratic hurdles will get you permanent residency. If that sounds like a doable plan of attack, you may want to engage a lawyer in Belize right away to keep you informed of any fine print. Some districts do require you to leave the country for two weeks every six months, which resets the clock on the 50-week requirement. And if you need to work while you await permanent residency, you could use some help to secure a work permit.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is very attractive to migration-seekers due to its peaceful and easy-going residents. Pacifists will appreciate the fact that it doesn’t even have a national army. But don’t forget the 801 miles of stunning coastline and world-class healthcare, too.
Nature lovers will appreciate the 52 species of hummingbirds. The cost of living in Costa Rica is not too high.
Couples will need about $2,500 per month to live comfortably. If you’re looking to retire, Costa Rica has a retiree programme that you’ll qualify for if you can show $1,000 per month in income. Most folks will need a job in order to achieve permanent residency, but if you have skills that Costa Rica needs, things as simple as teaching English or entertaining tourists, the dream could be in reach.
Paraguay
If you dream of disappearing off the face of the earth, Paraguay might be the place for you. Not many people know anything about it, despite being bordered by Argentina and Brazil. Chances are high that Paraguayans know about you, though. The country has a literacy rate higher than the United States. It’s a beautiful place with friendly people, vast scenic vistas, and low cost of living.
Since it is so obscure, the demand for immigration is low and the bar for acceptance is, too. You will be required to deposit an amount of money into a Paraguayan bank that equals roughly 35x the monthly minimum wage. It sounds like a lot, but it comes out to only about $4,500-$5,500. That’s all it takes to live in Paraguay indefinitely, and after three years you can apply for citizenship.
Panama
If you have some cool cash, you could find a home in Panama. Remember the Panama papers? It appears this country welcomes anyone with fair amount of dollars. Panama is an independent nation in Central America with a beachy landscape and a lot of English speakers. (The US dollar is its currency.) Some of the best coffee in the world is grown there. It’s a country that is considered safe and well developed, which also makes it pretty attractive to retirees. Panama’s retiree visa requires a monthly income of $1,000. If you’re not old enough to retire, a $5,000 deposit in a Panamanian bank gets you in the door for permanent residency.
