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…As Canada overtakes US as top destination for Nigerians researching relocation
Moving abroad from Nigeria has become cheaper over the past year due to the exchange rate and not from lower prices overseas, a new survey has found.
In the third-quarter edition of the State of Japa report, published by Japa Calculator, a free relocation decision tool, the cost of relocating to 21 countries was calculated based on visa fees, proof of funds where required, a one-way flight from Lagos and three months’ rent and it found that the naira cost of every route fell compared with a year ago, by between 2% and 19%.
According to the report, the naira’s recovery against major currencies is the driver of this change as a dollar now costs 8% lower than the naira at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate compared to one year ago, a pound costs 8% lower and the euro 11% lower. A typical move to Canada is now estimated at about ₦22.1 million, down from ₦24.1 million in 2025. South Africa remains the cheapest route at about ₦2.8 million, through its Critical Skills Visa. Turkey recorded the steepest fall, at 19%.
However, not all developments favoured applicants. Australia’s skilled and student visa charges rose by about 25% from 1 July 2026. The Skilled Independent (189) visa climbed from A$4,910 to A$6,135, and the student visa for most applicants went from A$2,000 to A$2,500.
According to the report, iinterest in destinations has shifted as well. Calculations on the platform showed 1,645 between July and September, up 18% from 1,393 in the previous quarter, and 4,569 since launch. Canada became the most-researched destination, accounting for 21% of calculations, while the United States fell from first place to fifth, with 7%. Rwanda, Cape Verde and Ireland entered the top 10. Lagos accounted for 39% of calculations. The most frequently entered professions were software engineer, nurse, student and teacher. The report also notes that 77% of this quarter’s calculations began with a Google search, compared with 40% in the second quarter.
The report also stressed the limitations to these figures as a calculation is not a person, and a destination researched is not a move. The naira rate that was used was the site’s exchange rate on October, while changes over time use the Central Bank’s official rates as of 26 October.
The report states that the average cost of relocating to the US through the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa now costs ₦11.9 million, 8% less than the ₦12.9 million it cost a year ago, while relocating to Malaysia through its Student Pass and arranged through EMGS, is at ₦12.8 million, down 5% from ₦13.5 million.
Moving to Australia through its Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) costs ₦15.2 million, only 2% below its year-ago level of ₦15.4 million, the smallest fall on the list. For Cyprus, relocating through its Student Visa (Pink Slip) costs ₦15.3 million, 11% less than ₦17.2 million, while relocating through the United Kingdom’s Skilled Worker Visa costs ₦15.4 million, 8% below ₦16.7 million.
Relocating to France through its Campus France Student Visa (VLS-TS) is at ₦20.2 million, down 11% from ₦22.8 million, and Portugal’s D7 Passive Income Visa is at ₦20.8 million, down 11% from ₦23.4 million. Canada’s Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) route is the most expensive on the list at ₦22.1 million, though that is still 8% lower than the ₦24.1 million it cost a year ago.
