Bato93:
A big thanks to all that have contributed. My hope is brought to life and an prepared more than ever before to get my PR by God's grace. Pls is it advisable to travel with family of one should go first and come later to pick wifey and kids ?

marvin906:
anybody knows cost of living south Korea preferably Seoul


Aussie ain't for me

Since I published the previous article, “Cost of living in Germany,” my mailbox has been abuzz with requests that I should write about the cost of living in Australia for international students from Nigeria. Based on popular demand, here it is.

Since getting the US visa in Nigeria has become a near-impossible task, Germany, Canada and Australia have become the best destination options for Nigerians – especially for studies. While getting an Australian visa in Nigeria is not a walk in the pack, it’s not entirely a wild goose chase.

Australia offers a fair share of a chance to immigrants – prospective students to Australia have even a much bigger opportunity. So, it isn’t entirely surprising that applications for the Australian visa in Nigeria have surged especially recently.

Unfortunately, nearly 45% of these applications are turned down. Why? Well, you can say they do not meet the requirements.

Remarkably, the majority of Nigerians that apply for the Australian visa from Nigeria have limited knowledge of what it requires. Most don’t apply due diligence in research. While a few of them don’t even know some basic facts like the cost of living in Australia.

Why You Need to Know the Cost of Living in Australia
After you have determined your purpose of travel and the destination, the next thing to do is research! This isn’t a sermon – it’s a fact, a law!

You don’t go to another man’s land ignorant of what obtains there – or at least a few facts about the place. Unless you want to learn the hard way.

Important information you must gather before you travel to a country like Australia is the cost of living in Australia. While Australia isn’t as expensive to live in as the United States and the United Kingdom, it has its fair-share of expensiveness.

Agreed, Australia is one of the countries with the best standard of living in the world. But unless you researched, you wouldn’t know that there’s a wide gap between living in Sydney and living in Queensland – both in Australia. The former affords you the luxury of city life but burdens you with the cost that comes with it. Meanwhile, the latter relieves you of the huge cost of living in the city but torments you with the slump life of the suburb.

So, you see? Knowing the cost of living in Australia will guide your choice of which part of the country to settle in. It determines a whole lot. From preparing yourself financially while still in Nigeria to learning the savings culture over there.

That said, living in Australia as an international student from Nigeria is relatively affordable. This is especially if you do or did live in Nigeria’s costly cities – Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Lagos. You can bear the cost of living in most parts of Australia.

But not to get too excited. It’s entirely a different affair in Australia’s biggest cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. These are the cities where you can earn huge and empty your earnings with expenses if you‘re not careful – it’s simply expensive to live in those cities.

Sydney, for instance, ranks on the list of top 10 most expensive cities to live in the world according to UBS. So, it isn’t an all comer’s affair living there. Before you take a step in pursuit of your studies in Australia, note these 5 key points about the cost of living in Australia.

Cost of Rent in Australia
Without being told you can tell rent takes a huge chunk of living expenses in Australia. It is said that in Sydney, indigenes often discuss the hike in accommodation over early morning coffee.

As mentioned above, it is more expensive to live in areas within the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. In contrast, it is much cheaper if you settle in Queensland and its surrounding suburbs.

On the high side, a bedroom apartment within the city of Sydney costs about $2,800 (AUD) per month. Outside the city, it averages about $1,900 (AUD). The cost of some utilities in the house like cooling, heating, electricity, garbage, and water can gulp up to $175 a month.

On average, here’s the cost of accommodation in Australia in a week:

Hostels and Guesthouses – $90 to $150 per week
Shared Rental – $95 to $215
On-campus – $110 to $280
Homestay – $235 to $325
Rental – $185 to $440
For boarding schools, students pay between $11,000 and $22,000 (AUD) in a year.

Aside from the cost of accommodation, furnishing the apartment also costs a little much.

More so, the Australian government assists low-income earners living in remote areas like Queensland to get accommodations. You can read-up details on the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) website.

Cost of Transportation in Australia
You can’t travel to Australia – a country far larger than Nigeria – and not have a deep understanding of its transport system.

The Australian transport system is organized. The railways are working fine and the roads are smooth and free. Also, it doesn’t cost so much to use the public transport system.

However, for convenience’s sake, plan to get a car within your first few months of arriving in the country. If you live in remote areas and wish to get a job in the big cities like the Eastern region you must get a car. It makes you move faster and more convenient to use. And remember, employers in Australia take no excuses for late-coming. They can sack after two warnings. Needless to inform you that in Australia cars don’t cost as much as in Nigeria.

If you did your driving licence in Nigeria, you may be needing a new one when you travel to some parts of Australia like Sydney. But in Melbourne, immigrants get permission to use the driving license they obtained from their respective countries for 6 months.

On the other hand, if you stick to public transport you will have to budget about $100 (AUD) per month.

School Fees and other Academic Expenses in Australia
You probably have heard that the cost of study in Australia could drain your account. Well, that could be true but a bit exaggerated.

For the avoidance of doubt, tuition fees are way too expensive in Australia compared to Nigeria. You will have to part with a few millions for a start. Even private universities in Nigeria don’t come quite close.

Tuition fees in Australia depend on a few factors. A more obvious factor is the type of school – whether private or public. Private universities pay much higher than public ones.

Another determinant of the tuition fees you will pay in Australia is your country of origin. Domestic students (including students born in Australia by non-Australia citizens) don’t pay full tuition fees. They share the fees with the Australian government. However, international student from Nigeria, you'll pay full tuition. The fees vary according to the institutions.

Undergraduate fees range between $15,000 and $33,000. If you are going for a master’s degree, you can pay as much as $20,000 to $37,000. Meanwhile, a doctoral degree racks up to $14,000 and $37,000.

These fees are estimations based on current realities. But then, they do not include vocational courses like Certificates I-IV, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas. Depending on the level you enroll for, you can pay between $4,000 and $22,000. Also, top-grade courses like medicine and veterinary science require special fees. Each school has its specific fees. You may need to visit their site to get details.

Scholarships for International Students in Australia
Good a thing, the government of Australia, individual schools and independent bodies have a handful of financial aids and scholarships they offer international students. The aim is to lessen the financial burden of the students schooling in the country.

As a Nigerian, you stand a chance of benefiting from these many scholarships and fellowship aids. The scholarships and aids cover student exchanges, vocational programs, undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and research. While the government doesn’t fund English language training for international students in Australia, individual schools do. Find out from your school in Australia.

More so, there’s the International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) scheme. The scheme covers postgraduate research qualification in Australia for international students. So, you can work with top Australian researchers for free and earn huge experience while the body pays you. The fees cover your tuition fees and health costs.

They cover vocational education and training, student exchanges, and undergraduate and postgraduate study and research. Australian Government scholarships are not available for international students who are undertaking English language training specifically in Australia, but several Australian institutions offer English language training scholarships.

Working in Australia as an International Student
You can work in Australia and earn huge even as a student.

As an undergraduate international student in Australia, you have permission to work up to 40 hours every two weeks. If you are studying for a Master’s course, you can work for unlimited hours. When you get an Australian student visa from Nigeria, you earn the right to work alongside your studies in the country.

There are many jobs you can take up when you arrive newly. At first, you can start with menial, administrative, retail, hospitality, and customer service jobs. You can progress from there to bigger jobs. But if you’re lucky, you may find a high-paying job. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other industrial cities in the country offer the best employment opportunities. So, while you may want to live in remote areas where living cost is minimal, consider finding jobs in these cities. Seek.com, indeed.com, Careerone, Careerjet, LinkedIn, Gumtree, etc. are all good job hunting sites you can use.

You will need to obtain the Australian Tax File Number (TFN) before you can work in Australia. You can inquire from the Australian Tax Office for details of what you will need to submit.

Bonus
If you desire to travel to Australia from Nigeria, one of the key factors that must drive your decision is the cost of living in Australia. Knowing what obtains in the country in terms of costs is as important as knowing how to apply for an Australian visa in Nigeria.

modaink333:


Please I desperately need an article on this about AUSTRIA

nwigwemark:
I wonder where you got all these averages you are quoting, any way I can see Google in action in your write up. For me I spend about 350€ monthly in accommodation, transport and feeding. We don't buy books here and I don't buy clothes monthly. Next time I will advise you to interview people who are on ground and don't just rely on Google.
God bless us

SooCute:


I would pardon you because you said "Average"
Dude we are burning mulla in Bayern

Youngadvocate:
Great tips.

Please, what do you say about a newly married man planning on relocating to Germany on a student's visa?

Anyone who can help?

It’s already mid into the first quarter of 2020. No doubt, by now thousands of Nigerians have set their travel plans in motion and are ready to hit the shores of Germany this year. Unfortunately, only a few of them take out time to research the cost of living in Germany. 

This isn’t entirely surprising. From the experience Travelwahala consultants have had with Nigerian travel-hopefuls, they hardly do personal research about their travel destinations. Many of them rely on hearsay or the tales of visa agents in Nigeria – which, in most cases, are half-truths. 

Germany is a developed European country while Nigeria is developing and rests in the Sub-Saharan desert. So, it’s normal that the two countries share huge dissimilarities. One such very obvious differences are the costs of living in both countries.

In Nigeria, life is relatively cheap round. With little value placed on human lives, it isn’t surprising that the standard of living in the country is low. This impacts the cost of living – which is lowly cheap compared to developed countries.

It is the opposite in Germany where “premium” value is placed on human lives. The standard of living in the country is quality and high. So also is the cost of living in comparison with Nigeria’s.

However, compared to other European countries, Germany offers a fair share of the cost of living. From transportation to feeding, housing to accommodation, doing business to schooling, Germany is relatively cheaper than some of the big countries in Europe. 

Cost of Living in Germany for Nigerian Students

You’ve gained admission into a German university and have received your German student visa in Nigeria. Congratulations to you! 

But don’t think that all is set. Your journey has just begun. A more serious thing to do is to have a full grasp of what it takes to live in Germany as a foreign student. The first step is to know the cost of living in Germany.

One major benefit of knowing how much it costs to live in Germany is that it helps you to plan well, especially financially. If you don’t do this, you may just be stranded and frustrated after your first few months in Germany. While you’d hope to land a job as soon as you arrive in Germany, it doesn’t always come that easy and soon. So, you’d need some financial backup to survive.

Already, the German authorities have made provision to ensure that foreign students have a means of sustenance in the country pending when they get a job. There’s the Blocked Account for international students. You will pay €8k into the account before you apply for a German visa in Nigeria. The idea is that you’ll withdraw from the account at intervals to sort personal needs while you live in Germany. However, not many Nigerians who plan to travel to Germany can afford such a high amount. Hence, many find other alternatives such as sponsorship letters and scholarships.

Regardless of the option you choose, you must have a basic knowledge of the cost of living in Germany. If not for anything, it will help you make enough provisions and save you from the financial crisis most immigrants suffer.

What’s the Cost of Living in Germany?

According to research by Study in Germany, living expenses in Germany average about €850 per month. In this figure, Germany is less expensive compared to some European countries. However, some basic costs like housing, feeding, clothing and other cultural and extracurricular activities are nearly higher than the average cost of living in the EU. Rent bears the highest cost in Germany.

As a Nigerian student living in Germany, expect the following expenses in Germany:

* Partial or Complete Tuition fees (i.e. if your school isn’t tuition-free)

* Semester Contributions (fees you pay each Semester)

* Living expenses (these include clothing, accommodation or rent, telephone, outings, etc.)

* Health Insurance          

Statistics prove that the average living expenses of students in Germany hit 850 euros per month. However, this amount is just an estimation. This is so because many factors influence the cost of living in Germany. More so, the cost of living varies according to cities in Germany. 

In Nigeria, the cost of living in a state like Lagos differs significantly from the cost of living in Benue state. The same applies to Germany. For instance, it costs much higher to live and study in Munich than in Leipzig. So, your location determines how much you’d cough out to live comfortably.

More so, how frugal or extravagant you are, largely influences how much money you will need to live in Germany. If you’re wise enough to know that you need to live within your means and cut costs, you’ll spend less. But if you seek to live the flamboyant lifestyle you see in Nigeria, then, good luck to you on your spending spree. 

What Costs Most in Germany?

Unarguably, rent is the hugest cost for most Nigerian students living in Germany. It’s slightly higher than it is in the most expensive cities in Nigeria. However, the price of accommodation in Germany varies. On average, students pay between 290 and 560 euros monthly. This largely depends on the location of the school.

In big cities like Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, rent costs more.

At Travelwahala, we strongly advise Nigerian students in Germany to find accommodation in the student hall of residence. Better still, you can live in a shared flat (WG). The reason is that it’s very expensive to rent a personal flat in Germany. But if you want your own flat or space, make an initial deposit. The amount of deposit varies, sometimes running into 100s of euros.

What is the Cost of Semester Contribution in Germany?

You must pay the Semester fee when you resume in any German university. Mind you, this is not school fees. Each school has a different amount it charges. This is because each school includes different services in the contribution. For instance, most of the schools offer students’ welfare packages. They use the money to take care of housing, cafes, sports facilities, extracurricular activities, and administrative costs. 

The average cost of the semester contribution in German universities is €250 for each semester. 

More so, some of the federal state schools add administrative fees in the semester contribution. This is usually between €50 and €75. Also, there’s the “semester ticket.” It is called the public transport pass. For 6 months you can use public transport within the locality of your school – free of charge. You just need to have the semester ticket. Normally, the ticket costs between €25 and €200 depending on the travel distance. But once you pay your semester contribution, it’s free.

Nevertheless, you may have to pay both the semester ticket and semester contributions in some cases. This is usually in some schools where it is optional. So, you can decide not to pay for the semester ticket if you live close to your school.

What’s the Cost of School Fees in Germany?

It’s a law in Germany that states higher education institutions are tuition-free for all Bachelor’s degrees and most Master’s programmes. 

However, there’s a twist in the 2017/2018 winter semester. The federal state of Baden-Württemberg charged students from non-EU countries tuition fees of €1,500 per semester. The fee included Master’s, Bachelor’s and German “Diploma” degrees as well as state examination. 

Secondly, personal Master’s and online courses require you to pay. The fees are usually very high, sometimes more than €10,000 for each semester. But in general, students in higher education institutions pay high fees.

Fortunately, there’s a way out if your school charges tuition fees. You can apply for the financial aid programmeas a Nigerian student in Germany. If your application is successful you will get a waiver and you’ll not have to pay the expensive school fees. Sometimes, you’ll get a huge reduction in the school fees and you’ll only pay a very small fee.

What is the cost of Health Insurance in Germany?

Another cost to consider before you travel to Germany for your studies is health insurance. The health insurance you do in Nigeria is not valid in Germany. You must enroll in the health insurance scheme in Germany.

If you are less than 30 years of age, or you are yet to conclude the 14th subject-related semester, you’ll have to pay €80 monthly. Afterward, you will pay €160 per month.

Average Monthly Cost of Living in Germany for Students

See the chart below for the average cost of living in Germany in both Euros and Naira.

Euros and Naira

Rent and other Utilities

€ 323
#127k

Food and Drink

€ 168
#66k

Clothing

€ 42
#16k

Working/learning materials

€ 20
#7k


Travel costs (car and public transport)

€94
#37k

Health insurance, medical costs, medicine

€ 80
#31k

Phone, internet, TV

€ 31
#12


Leisure, culture, sports

€ 61
#24k


Total
€ 819

#323k


Bonus

You can afford the cost of living in Germany. You must have a good source of income as a student in Germany. Germany offers a wide range of job opportunities even to immigrants. Find a good paying job immediately you arrive in the country.

While you earn, don’t just save money, invest your priority. Turn your eyes away from a flamboyant lifestyle if you want to escape the huge expenses in major cities of the country.

At Travelwahala, we often encourage Nigerians traveling to Germany to be smart in booking accommodation spaces.

https://travelwahala.com/cost-of-living-in-germany-for-nigerians/

Youngadvocate:
Exactly what's on my mind. The ripple effect of the ban will soar higher than imagined. What is obvious is that it will further dampen the already dwindling reputation Nigeria has in the comity of nations.

Hope it will not be so harsh on Nigerians traveling abroad when it starts rolling out

Sammarshall:


Thanks for the information, but I want to ask something.
What about marriage to a citizen?

I have a friend planing to get married to her USA boyfriend next month in Nigeria.

The US travel ban on Nigeria and other low-profile countries hit everyone with a rude shock. Though the sad development wasn’t entirely surprising – the Trump administration had always mulled over such a move.

Whichever way one flicks the side of the coin, this US visa ban will hit Nigerians real hard. The reason is obvious – Nigerians rank top on the list of immigrants and visitors to the US.

Until recently, the number of US visa applications in Nigeria doubles that of visa application to any other country. It proves that Nigerians have a strong interest in the United States. From tourism, business events and conferences to schooling and immigration, a huge number of Nigerians have a thing or two connecting them to the US.

But now that the Trump administration has placed a ban on the US Immigration visa what’s next for the teeming population of Nigerians who see the US as a dream destination?

While reactions surge and travel-hopefuls make adjustments, we have identified 6 takeaways from the hostile policy of the US. You should give attention to them.

Nigeria’s International Reputation is Rapidly Dwindling
Maybe, it isn’t the ban itself that stirs dust. It’s the manner at which it’s done and the consequences it will birth. The US travel ban exposes Nigeria’s rapidly declining international reputation.

Had Nigeria been banned alongside China, Singapore, India, or even South Africa, it wouldn’t have created much worry. Rather it was alongside the world’s worst-performing countries – Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan.

What it means is that Nigeria is clearly on the “pariah states” – countries that are outcasts in the international community. Such countries can face sanctions, global isolation or even invasion by countries who find their actions unacceptable. A decent example is the recent China visa ban on Nigeria.

Surprisingly, Nigeria is the only West African country to make the list – a notorious achievement that belittles the country on all fronts. It may not be surprising if this move affects Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with other countries or impacts on how Nigerians are treated overseas.

The Suspension Is Temporal But May Last Long
Yes, the statement from the Whitehouse says that the ban is temporary pending when the Nigerian government resolves all security concerns raised by the US. But the question is “how temporary?”

The current governments of both countries share reputations that will mar speedy resolution of the issue. The Trump administration’s signature policy is to close the American borders and restrict immigration. While Mr. Buhari’s government has earned a reputation of “slow and steady.”
With both odds staggering in the face, we may just forget about any overnight miracle.

The simple truth is that even if the US governm ent lifethe ban, it may just be in the papers. The stricter measures Nigerians face at the US embassy would remain or even be tightened.

No US Permanent Residency for Nigerians
If you look forward to landing the US Permanent Residency or earning citizenship for your unborn child through Medical Tourism, you may have to look elsewhere. It will not just be happening with the US anymore.

More so, the US travel ban means the US would restrict issuance of visas to medical tourists. If you can scale through, you’d just be spending your money on nothing – your child may eventually not earn citizenship.

Trust Nigerians, they’d circumvent the rules and find an escape route. But how well and far would that serve remains a bothering question.

The Reasons For The US Travel Ban are Largely Political
One question stays on the lips of a few people who are knowledgeable on the matter. “Why would the US allow tourists and business professionals from Nigeria if the reason for the ban is on security fears?”

The US government said Nigeria didn’t comply with its identity-management and information-sharing criteria assessed by the performance metrics. Also, it faulted Nigeria for not adequately sharing public-safety and terrorism-related information.

All this is just fine grammar. If not, why would they grant tourists and businessmen visas to the US but deny immigrants? It clearly shows the ban is a calculated plan t stop Nigerian immigrants from entering the US. Remember, Nigerians rank top in the list of immigrants in the US.

Well, before you disagree, go through the statement from the Whitehouse, and see if you can make meaning of the reasons given.

Increased Refusal of US Visa in Nigeria
With the ban, expect to see increased Refusal of the US visa to even genuine applicants. The perception of the US mirrors to every Nigerian, including top government officials and notable figures. But these sets of people have a cover, either diplomacy or their social status.

Others that stand a better chance are travelers with good travel history with the US. Every other person may just have to smoke it hot! New US visa applicants in Nigeria will have to put up an extra fight to secure a US Visa.

Increased Exploitation of Nigerian Visa Applicants
Nigerians should expect increased extortion from all sides – including visa agents in Nigeria and the US embassy.

Trust Nigeria visa agents, most of them can’t wait to jump on any opportunity to extort money from travel-hopefuls. Most of them would come with stories of how they’ve successfully helped thousands to secure the US tourist visa for instance. Please, be wise. No one guarantees you the US Visa – not even us at Travelwahala.

Though the US travel ban will equally affect even the best travel agencies in Nigeria

Just like the best travel agencies in Nigeria, we at Travelwahala can only help improve your chances of getting the visa. No one will guarantee your visa.

Bonus
The US visa ban on Nigerians willl not take effect until 21st February. However, the wave is already reverberating.

It’s nearing the end of the first month of the year. You can bet a lot of people have kicked off their dreams to migrate from Nigeria in 2020.

Already, Nigerians rank top on the list of widely traveled people in the world. The reason is obvious – “life is hard in Nigeria.”

While life everywhere is hard, there’re certain necessities of life a country should never lack. The majority of those are lacking in Nigeria. For instance, unemployment is on the high side, insecurity is alarming. The low standard of living and societal oppression sum up to give Nigeria away as a bad place to live in.

So, it isn’t entirely surprising why most Nigerians can only find solace abroad. You may just never know the extent the young population goes to ensure they “escape” from the country – they are dead desperate!

Things to Consider Before You Migrate from Nigeria
It’s saddening to see that most Nigerians who intend to migrate from Nigeria are driven by desperation and quest for wealth. They hardly ask themselves, is this country I seek to travel to best for me?

More so, most Nigerian travel-hopefuls hardly bother themselves with such questions like what is the best county to migrate from Nigeria? And for their desperation, the majority fall prey to scams and into the hands of dubious visa agents in Nigeria. Others forge documents and get themselves into trouble overseas when they eventually leave.

Before you make a move to travel, you need to know much about the destination you are traveling to. Understand how their system operates – their economy and life in general. This should help you in the decision-making process or the choice of destination.

More so, ensure your travel is driven by a purpose. Do not just travel for the sake of it. Outline your purpose and travel plans before you begin processing it.

Top Countries to Migrate from Nigeria in 2020
So, if you’re looking to relocate from Nigeria this year, you may add any of these countries in your bouquet.

The choice of these countries comes from a few factors. The standard of living in the country is key. The economy, receptiveness to migrants especially people from this end of the world, etc. all sum to position the countries as the strongest picks among a multitude of options.

7. Finland
If all you need is a country that will offer you a relatively high standard of living and peace, then, look to Finland.

Finland boasts one of the most robust economies in the globe. Unemployment is very low in the country. And with its small population, jobs are largely available. So, skilled immigrants are often welcomed with open hands. Aside, Helsinki, there are many modern cities in the country that offer such quality life you can get in other developed countries.

6. The United Arab Emirates
This comes as a surprise, right? Well, believe it or not, the United Arab Emirates is a good country to migrate to from Nigeria.

UAE, one of the countries to migrate from Nigeria

First off, the country is a tax-free nation and maintains a very low crime profile. Recently, it threw open its borders to immigrants from different countries for the purposes of tourism and residency. Though it’s traditionally conservative, it’s by far the most liberal country in the middle east.

Though many believe the country mostly favors Muslim immigrants, UAE is home to millions of Christian migrants from different nations of the world including Nigeria. Its stable oil-rich economy boosts the standard of living in the country.

5. New Zealand
Besides its slightly extreme weather and distance, New Zealand is a nice option for migration to migrate from Nigeria.

The language barrier doesn’t surface as English remains an official language of the country. With a low population of about 5 million people, the country flourishes in peace and good living. Moreover, skilled jobs are available for migrants seeking to settle in the country with good earnings.

Education is of quality but cheap for residents – just as it is in Australia. You can settle and hustle your way up as a Nigerian who is determined to earn high through legitimate means. Also, as it obtains in Australia, citizenship in New Zealand takes a period of 5 years.

4. Sweden

Sweden doesn’t sit at No 3 of the world’s best countries to migrate from Nigeria for nothing. The country has risen to take the top spot in the list of countries to migrate to by foreigners.

The reasons are obvious, Sweden boasts of a hugely developed economy. More so, it’s nearly the most receptive country for immigrants, even often preferred ahead of Canada and Switzerland.

Recently, the government of Sweden opened the borders of the country to refugees from other countries. This gave a huge rise to the population of migrants living in the country. So, as a Nigerian seeking to migrate to Sweden from Nigeria, you are at a huge advantage. Aside from the fact that you would experience low racial discrimination, you would be exposed to bigger opportunities, especially employment.

3. Germany
Aside from the minimal language barrier, Germany is a dream country to settle in as a migrant.

Though it’s relatively populated with about 83 million people, Germany is far less populated than Nigerian. But in terms of development, only a few countries can match it. Its robust economy raises the bar of the standard of living and makes life enjoyable.

If you’re a skilled person or know a thing or two about tech, Germany will welcome you with open hands and accord you the life you dream of.

2. Canada
No doubt, Canada, especially in recent times, has been regarded as a safe haven for migrants from across the globe. Nigerian migrants aren’t an exception.

United Nations rated Canada, a country of 37+ million people, as one of the best countries to live in. The standard of living in the country is high. At least, you are sure of living a comfortable life with good earning to afford much of the basic things of life.

In fact, if you’re a skilled hardworking Nigerian, you are at a huge advantage to earn highly in Canada even more than some indigenes. Like in the Netherlands, the country records low crime and violence rates. So, you have fewer security issues to worry over.

1. Australia
Take away the issue of distance, Australia is by far, the best country to migrate to as a Nigerian.

Australia offers quality life to all, regardless of their racial and religious backgrounds. Its little population of 23.7 million people, distance and slightly harsh weather placed the country at a disadvantage as it hugely lacks skilled labor.

Hence, like Canada, the country is constantly seeking skilled laborers from all countries of the world to help fill many vacant job spaces. Although Australia has lately tightened up its borders by making migrants pay a little high in processing Australian visas or entry into the country. Yet, it receives an influx of migrants from different countries of the world, you can trust Nigerians rank high on the list.

Lately, at Travelwahala, we have processed travel inquiry and visa to Australia from Nigeria more than we have for even the United States. Australia is a strong option alongside Canada for Nigerian migrants who fail to make it into the US.

Regardless of what you seek to do in Australia, in so far as it’s legal, you have boundless opportunities open to you.

Bonus
It’s a great idea to migrate from Nigeria. But where you migrate to and the reason for migration are of strong importance.

So, choose wisely because your choice will shape your destiny.

LordIsaac:
And the bush fire...?

Cutehector:
Please I want to travel to India, how is this process achievable?

Visa Interview in Nigeria is not a tea-party for most visa applicants. If anything, it’s a more dreaded adventure to many Nigerians than being drilled by the police over the counter.

Before you disagree, visit some embassies in Nigeria and see things for yourself. If you have, then observe more closely next time. You’ll see how much of fear most Nigerian visa applicants possess going into a visa interview – say the US visa interview in Nigeria.

Most can barely calm their shaky, nervous body. They lose their voices almost completely hearing the first questions. You can immediately sense a nervous breakdown – a sign that gives the visa applicant away as fake, unprepared or unqualified.

What Happens When You’re Nervous During Visa Interview in Nigeria?
The last thing you’d wish is to appear nervous or unconfident during a visa interview. It’s nearly the exact feeling a job applicant catches in a job interview.

Imagine your arms shaking, your tongue stuck in your mouth and your face beaming with fake smiles. Think of it; how would the Visa Officer perceive you? They are humans too. They’ll think the same way other people will think when such signs show. Regrettably, the result is almost always brutal!

The thing is, you can’t make yourself vulnerable to fear and self-intimidation and expect miracles at the interview. Yes, miracles do happen – but are rare. Rather than hope for a miracle to happen, work out the miracle. The keyword is PREPARE!

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid During Visa Interview in Nigeria
You already have it up there. Nearly everything depends on you, the applicant.

You can command the way the interview should go. Don’t fall for cheap self-convicting assertions like “it’s only in the powers of the Visa Officer that I get a visa.” Yes, it’s at the discretion of the VO to issue visas. However, this largely depends on your performance at the visa interview. You do well, you smile in luck. If it’s bad, “sorry, try again next time” becomes the consoling words.

Do you want to avoid hearing these consoling, but, hurtful words? Then, learn from these common mistakes Nigerian visa applicants make during a visa interview in Nigeria.

Improper Application Filing
You didn’t expect this one, right? Well, disregarding it may prove your biggest undoing.

Your first point of contact with the embassy and the VO is your application. It reveals everything and anything about you the embassy needs and wants to know. Regardless of how you fill your form, do not neglect the “rule of consistency.” Don’t fill something else in your form and say a different thing during an interview.

A client who applied for the US visa in Nigeria visited our office in Abuja seeking help with preparation for the interview. Before one of our Support Staff rolled out the interview template, she reviewed his application. While the young man ticked the “Married” box on the form, he was still single. Besides, he bore a different surname from his wife’s. It required some extra effort to correct the mistakes. Though, thankfully, he was successful at the interview.

Nevertheless, it’s not entirely wrong to have different surnames than your wife does. But you don’t want to know how some VO make a mole out a molehill.

Wearing Defeated Appearance
The visa interview process sometimes turns comical, especially when you raise your eyes on the faces of some interviewees and see the look they wear.

What do they say about the first impressions again? They matter…right? Then walk the talk.

Smiling could be a difficult thing to give a try for some Nigerians. If you’re one of those, please, don’t approach the VO with that kind of face that should be seen only in graveyards. Smile. But don’t fake it.

How should you approach a VO at first sight? Unveil your vulnerability, tell them you are a newbie, tell them you don’t know what you’re there for? Or do you appear so unconfident that even a not-too-smart VO can tell you only jumbled the information on your application form?

Another one, say no to pity–party. It’s laughable that most Nigerian visa applicants dwell in this myth. Well, sorry if you’re in that gang. But unfortunately, the opposite is the reality. Visa Officers want convictions born out of strong reasons and not emotional blackmail. You want to visit their country, tell them why they should give you a pass and how you intend to visit and return – that’s it!

That the US visa application in Nigeria is 80% turned down is partly attributed to the above fact.

Dressing Doesn’t Really Matter, But It Does
That could be confusing, right? How can what doesn’t matter still matter? That sounds like play-upon-words – on a lighter note though.

Anyways, you don’t need to suit up to “win a visa” as some Nigerians would say about the US visa in Nigeria. If you are applying for a business visa in Nigeria, a conference visa, or a tourist visa in Nigeria, you can be very Nigerian in your appearance. Besides, there’s no rule book on how you should dress – only commonsense.

Smart, neat denim, good traditional attire could do. After all, for the US visa interview, the VO barely sees every part of you. But it doesn’t conceal the fact that you should dress fine.

As they say, your dressing reveals your identity – tells who you are. So, you need to dress wisely and smartly.

The code the best travel agency in Nigeria will give you is “be confident!”

True, confidence is everything. But here, don’t forget the common saying that “too much of everything is bad!” Overconfidence could mean you are too zealous. And when you create such an impression that you are overzealous, you cast huge doubts in the mind of the VO.

So, don’t make it look that you want it so badly. When asked questions, you don’t tell tales to impress. Go straight to the point. Confidence in a visa interview should only mean the ability to answer questions with clarity and precision. Anything extra will unveil an “effort to impress.”

Asking Questions Helps
Before you set out for your visa interview, pls ask questions ENOUGH!

What do I mean by this?

Granted, you can never have ENOUGH in preparing for a visa interview. However, you should endeavor to know much of what is required. That’s enough!

The interview can swing either way – success or failure. The VO may want to dribble you, drawing questions from answers you supply. In the end, you either win or you’re caught. The best way is to have a template and prepare for such uncertain moments in the interview.

If you use a travel agency, let them give you everything you need to know before you proceed. At travelwahala, for instance, we engage clients in mini-interview drilling with our demo interview. This keeps the client mentality ready and armed with ideas that can scale them through.

Ensure you ask questions when the process is gloomy.
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Youtee10:



Good post... To further add to that
Please note the following things too
1. Don't be fooled when travel agents show very cheap fares, always ask for the ticket conditions
2. Also on cheap tickets, always ask for the layover or waiting time, cos the cheaper the fare, the longer layover
3. Always ask your agents to choose seats for you and also check you in to avoid loosing seats

PrinxArthur1:
how easy can a first time traveler get a working or student visa?