The price of relocating overseas from Nigeria has declined by between 2% and 19% in naira phrases over the previous 12 months, pushed by the strengthening of the native forex towards main foreign exchange.
This is in accordance to the State of Japa 2026 Q3 report printed by Japa Calculator, which examined relocation costs throughout 21 nations.
The report discovered that though visa fees and immigration necessities have elevated in a number of locations, the naira’s appreciation has diminished the estimated native forex price of relocating.
According to the findings, the naira strengthened by roughly 8% towards the US greenback and British pound and 11% towards the euro over the assessment interval.
However, the report famous that the discount in naira-denominated costs doesn’t essentially imply that relocation has change into cheaper in overseas forex phrases, as visa fees and different bills stay elevated.
Japa price falls throughout 21 nations
The report estimated that relocating from Nigeria at the moment costs between N2.8 million and N22.1 million, relying on the vacation spot and immigration pathway.
The calculations coated visa and authorities fees, proof of funds the place required, a one-way flight from Lagos and three months’ lodging.
- South Africa emerged as one of many least costly locations, with an estimated relocation price of N2.8 million, in contrast with N2.9 million a 12 months earlier.
- Turkey recorded the most important proportion decline, with estimated costs falling by 19% from N4.1 million to N3.3 million.
- Other locations additionally recorded reductions. Canada remained the costliest vacation spot among the many 21 nations assessed, though its estimated relocation price declined from N24.1 million to N22.1 million.
The report attributed these reductions primarily to exchange-rate actions moderately than decrease immigration or residing bills overseas.
Naira appreciation reduces relocation costs
The decline in relocation costs comes amid a sustained restoration within the naira over the previous 12 months, supported by improved overseas trade liquidity, rising exterior reserves and elevated capital inflows.
- According to Nairametrics’ report on the naira’s October 2025 performance, the forex closed the month at N1,427.50/$, recovering from N1,602/$ in April 2025, when it recorded one among its weakest ranges of the 12 months. The restoration coincided with enhancements in overseas trade liquidity and exterior reserves, which reached $43.17 billion by the tip of October.
- The appreciation continued into 2026. Nairametrics reported that the naira closed June 2026 at N1,376/$, in contrast with N1,532/$ in June 2025, representing a year-on-year achieve of roughly 10.2%. The enchancment was linked to stronger overseas portfolio inflows, diaspora remittances and overseas trade market reforms.
- By September 2026, the currency had strengthened further to N1,329.50/$, though it subsequently weakened to N1,346/$ on the finish of October. Comparing the October 2025 and October 2026 closing charges, the naira appreciated by roughly 5.7% towards the greenback over the 12-month interval, despite renewed volatility in direction of the tip of the assessment interval.
The recovery was also recognised by the World Bank, which recognized the naira amongst Africa’s extra resilient currencies within the second quarter of 2026, with its most depreciation restricted to 2.6% despite broader forex pressures throughout the continent.
Rising Visa fees offset forex positive factors
In March 2026, Nairametrics reported that the United Kingdom announced increases in visa and citizenship fees, efficient April 8. Under the revised prices, the Skilled Worker visa price for stays of up to three years elevated from £769 to £819, whereas the coed visa price rose from £524 to £558.
In the United States, routine visa processing was moved exclusively to Lagos from August 1, 2026, following the suspension of companies on the US Embassy in Abuja. The growth raised issues about extra transportation and lodging bills for candidates travelling from different elements of Nigeria.
