Japa: Seven critical steps to take before relocating abroad

One common diction many Nigerians, especially youths and young families, now use often is japa, a street lingo for excessive desire to escape from Nigeria’s wobbling socioeconomic conditions. On the heels of poor standard of living and insecurity in the country, Nigerians are relocating abroad in droves with countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, United […]

One common diction many Nigerians, especially youths and young families, now use often is japa, a street lingo for excessive desire to escape from Nigeria’s wobbling socioeconomic conditions.

On the heels of poor standard of living and insecurity in the country, Nigerians are relocating abroad in droves with countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Germany, among others being their choice destinations.

Data from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicated that 12,595 Nigerians relocated to Canada in 2019.

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In its July 2021 report titled ‘Of Roads Less Travelled: Assessing the Potential for Migration to Provide Overseas Jobs for Nigeria’s Youth,’ the World Bank disclosed that about 50 per cent of Nigerians are willing to leave the country for a better economic future abroad.

The report stated that Nigeria ranked 3rd highest in West Africa behind Liberia (70 per cent) and Sierra Leone (60 per cent) of nationals who would move permanently to another country.

The World Bank noted that due to the rising migratory pressures created by poor employment conditions in the country, “Nigerians are increasingly choosing to migrate through irregular means.”

It added that Nigerians represented the largest group of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa arriving in Europe in 2016 and 2017 as nearly 40,000 Nigerians arrived in Italy in 2016 with over 90 per cent of those arriving via sea routes.

While relocating abroad in search of greener pasture is not a bad idea, having one’s plans well mapped out before boarding the next flight off the shores of Nigeria is very crucial. Failure to do this may lead to regrets in the end.

Many have fallen victims to fraudulent travel agents, stranded abroad, or get deported due to irregularities in their travel documents. To avoid these pitfalls, here are five critical factors to consider in no particular order.

Visa requirements

The desire to move abroad is easy to nurse, but its feasibility needs to be considered. For most countries, one must apply for a visa in one’s country of residence before arriving. So, this should be the first thing to do.

Visas can be expensive, particularly if you are travelling with your dependants and there are often hidden costs. It is advisable to visit the websites of your dream countries to get all the relevant information on the categories of migrant visas and which is suitable for you and affordable.

Research your new home city ahead

Having decided on the choice country, the next task will be to seek information on your city of residence. Learning about the new culture’s famous cuisine, basic greetings and how to use their transportations will be certainly helpful. Get familiar with the weather and climate and the topography so that you know how to prepare.

If you are not tied to a specific school or job, you are at liberty to choose cities from within your country. This can be done by checking through trip advisor, expatriate Facebook groups and reaching out to friends or relations, who have been there. A random search on the internet for details about the prospective place of residence could also help. This will all help you get a feel for some good spots.

Accommodation

One of the first important decisions to make is whether to rent or buy a house abroad. Every destination offers a wide range of accommodation styles to suit the needs, lifestyles, and budgets of everyone. Finding the right home can take a lot of time and effort so you have to start early and plan.

Banking

Before moving overseas, you should open an international bank account to facilitate transfers, consult a tax advisor on how to file taxes in your new location and make plans for your insurance. Check out more on managing and converting your money when moving overseas.

Opening a bank account might seem like a simple task, but many banks refuse to open accounts for foreigners.

“In Switzerland, I was denied several times because of regulations set by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. I ended up with PostFinance, and I had a debit card that was unusable outside Switzerland,” an immigrant revealed his experience on a travel blog, Dabling in Jet Lag.

“Switzerland was not the only place I had issues. Both in France and the UK, I faced similar problems. So, it’s important to do your research ahead of time,” he added.

One solution to the above problems is digital banking. There are several options available, depending on your needs. An option is Revolut which allows one to hold accounts in several currencies. So, you can pay and transfer money in different currencies without extra fees.

Work

Knowing how you can support yourself financially in a foreign country is not as simple as getting a job. There are several things you need to consider. First, many countries have high unemployment rates. Examples include Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The chances of finding work in these countries are lower. So, while it might seem great to live in a place with beautiful beaches, you might not be able to find a job.

Second, many countries in the EU have a right-to-work law. This is a legal requirement for anyone looking to work in the EU. It means that you only have the right to work in an EU country if you are a citizen of the European Economic Area.

Tax obligations

Understanding how to pay taxes in a foreign country is never easy. Every country collects taxes differently, and you will want to know how to pay your taxes before you arrive. You will want to know how much you need to pay. Many countries have online tax calculators. It’s important to use the calculator provided by the government to get the best estimate.

Health

Before you travel, check with your local health clinic or department of health considering the types of vaccinations you will need before entering your destination country. Pay attention to the arrival requirements of your new location, which include border entry registration forms.

Notify your doctor and get copies of your family’s medical records to keep alongside your vaccination records and travel documents. If you take regular medication you might want to stock up before you move, as you may not be able to get prescriptions before you settled in a new country.

Healthcare is different in every country. In some places, it’s provided by private companies while in others there is national healthcare. In France, for example, there is a national healthcare service. But, you must be living in France for three months before you can use it.

Sources: Crownrelo.com, goabroad.com