In the last few years, countries, particularly developed nations, have introduced various policies aimed at tightening immigration rules.

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Research conducted by Nairametrics showed that these changes have made it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to migrate abroad.

Nigeria has become synonymous with the ‘Japa’ syndrome — the growing desire among citizens of Africa’s most populous nation to leave for Europe, North America, or other destinations in search of better opportunities, improved quality of life, or simply an escape from economic hardship.

However, this seemingly attractive ‘escape route’ from the country’s challenges has been hampered by stricter immigration measures, including higher proof-of-funds requirements, restrictions on multiple-entry visas, increases in student and post-study visa fees, the removal of dependent visa pathways, and tougher settlement conditions.

Here are some of the countries that have recently changed their immigration policies in ways that could make it harder for Nigerians to relocate.

United States of America

United States President Donald Trump, who campaigned on the ‘America First’ agenda to return to the White House, has introduced several immigration policies, including a crackdown on illegal immigration and mass deportation measures.

Beyond that, he attempted through an executive order to revoke the automatic citizenship rights granted to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil — the policy commonly known as “birthright citizenship.” Although a court blocked the executive order and the Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter, the U.S. under his administration has continued tightening immigration restrictions.

In July 2025, the country introduced a new policy mandating that Nigerians applying for non-immigrant visas, such as tourist and business visas, would only receive single-entry three-month permits, according to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. This marked a sharp departure from the previous system where applicants could obtain multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years.

A month earlier, the Trump administration reportedly included Nigeria among 36 countries likely to face travel restrictions if they failed to address security and diplomatic concerns raised by Washington.

In December 2025, Nigeria, alongside 15 other African countries, was hit with a partial travel suspension.

Another major restriction followed in January 2026, when the U.S. introduced a policy requiring Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourism visas to post a visa bond of up to $15,000 before approval.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom has introduced a series of immigration policy changes that significantly reshape the migration landscape for Nigerians.

One of the latest changes came in February 2026, when the UK government announced that it would stop issuing physical visa stickers and transition entirely to digital eVisas for Nigerian travellers.

Under the new system, all new UK visit visas issued to Nigerians now exist solely in electronic form.

A few months later, the UK government announced a broad increase in visa application fees for applicants outside the country, with the new charges taking effect from April 8, 2026.

  • Under the revised fee structure, short-term visit visas valid for up to six months increased from £127 to £135. Long-term visit visas also recorded notable hikes, with two-year visas increasing from £475 to £506, five-year visas rising to £903, and 10-year visas climbing to £1,128.

The UK has also moved toward tightening long-term settlement pathways.

  • The government proposed an ‘earned settlement’ model that would increase the standard waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to 10 years for many migrants. While the policy has been proposed and consulted on, several reports indicate implementation is expected from late 2026.

For Nigerians on work and study routes, the proposal could significantly delay access to permanent residency and citizenship pathways.

  • In addition, the UK has tightened English language standards tied to settlement and work migration routes. Proposed changes require applicants under Skilled Worker and High Potential Individual (HPI) visa categories to meet at least B2 English proficiency standards, compared to lower thresholds previously required.

For many Nigerians, this adds another hurdle to migration and settlement, especially for applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds who may now need to undertake more advanced language certification processes.

Canada

Canada, in recent years, has become one of the top destinations for Nigerians, particularly as countries such as the U.S. tightened immigration rules and increased crackdowns on illegal migration.

However, a major restriction introduced by the Canadian government came in July 2025, when the minimum settlement fund requirement for prospective immigrants applying under the Express Entry system was increased.

  • For single applicants, the proof-of-funds requirement rose from CAD 14,690 to CAD 15,263, while families of two saw the threshold increase from CAD 18,288 to CAD 19,001. The required settlement funds also increased progressively for larger families, with each additional family member above seven attracting an extra CAD 4,112 requirement, up from CAD 3,958 previously.

Although Canada later simplified study permit applications for some categories of international students, particularly Master’s and PhD applicants, the country announced a reduction in study permit allocations for 2026 as part of efforts to reduce its temporary resident population.

Additionally, in November 2025, Canada announced a major overhaul of its business immigration framework, pausing key components of its Start-Up Visa (SUV) programme while plans were made to introduce new entrepreneur-focused pilot programmes in 2026.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, where millions of Nigerian Muslims travel yearly for pilgrimage, implemented a new visa policy in February 2025, restricting visitors from Nigeria and 13 other countries to single-entry visas.

  • Under the new arrangement, Nigerians no longer have access to one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits.

This means Nigerian travellers must now submit fresh visa applications for every trip, increasing costs and administrative processes, particularly for those travelling frequently for Umrah or Hajj.

New Zealand

New Zealand has also introduced multiple immigration policy changes over the past two years.

  • In August 2024, the New Zealand government announced a 90% increase in student visa fees for Nigerians and citizens of non-Pacific countries, with the policy taking effect from October 1, 2024.
  • Student visa fees increased from NZD 395 to NZD 750, making studying in New Zealand significantly more expensive for Nigerians.

Similarly, the immigration levy for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) increased sharply from NZD 210 to NZD 1,060.

  • In February 2026, New Zealand announced new employment conditions for holders of open work visas. The policy, which took effect from April 20, 2026, restricts holders of Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visas, asylum seekers, and working holiday visas to specific forms of employment.

Under the new conditions, affected migrants must work either as employees under formal employment agreements or under contracts recognised as employment by authorities.

However, New Zealand has also introduced some favourable measures, including the Short-term Graduate Work Visa and expanded eligibility for its Post Study Work Visa (PSWV), moves that strengthened pathways for international students transitioning into the workforce.

Australia

Australia has also tightened parts of its migration system.

In March 2026, the Australian government doubled the application fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), raising the primary applicant fee from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600.

  • While the government maintained the old rate for citizens of Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste under its “Pacific family” foreign policy framework, applicants from other countries — including Nigerians — are now required to pay the significantly higher fee.
  • The policy effectively increases the financial burden on international graduates seeking post-study work opportunities in Australia.

However, Australia has also introduced policies seen as favourable to skilled migrants.

  • The country revised income thresholds for employer-sponsored visas, setting a new minimum salary benchmark of AUD 76,515 (($52,545) for most skilled migration categories for applications lodged between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

The policy was introduced as part of efforts to ensure foreign workers are paid in line with domestic wage standards, potentially benefiting highly skilled migrants who meet the earnings threshold.