Here are 5 global migration pathways Nigerians are exploring

Investment migration experts and representatives of various investment migration programs, have highlighted a comprehensive overview of pathways focusing on strategic investment opportunities for Nigerians.

The experts shared their insights during a road show hosted by Henley & Partners, highlighting alternative residency or citizenship in exchange for significant local investments, such as real estate or managed funds, urging families to view these programmes as a dynamic portfolio.

They emphasised that for Nigerian entrepreneurs, investment migration is increasingly viewed as a functional business tool rather than a mere travel document.

Troy Hanley, managing director, Private Clients at Henley & Partners, said,  “When thinking about residence and citizenship planning, please think about it as a dynamic concept for a Nigerian family trying to secure their family’s future, their children’s future,” stated. “It may be the case that a Nigerian family first talks about Canada… thereafter, they may decide that their children would be very well suited to college study opportunities in the United States.”

He agreed that for the Nigerian market, the primary motivator remains family security, as thedrive for alternative citizenship in Nigeria is rarely about leaving the country permanently, but rather about “optionality.” As he puts it, families are increasingly looking for ways to secure their children’s educational and career prospects abroad while maintaining their business interests at home.

Similarly Carolina Tenzer, consultant at Henley & Partners, emphasized the importance of long-term planning: “Our goal is to provide seamless residence and citizenship planning to help families secure their future mobility and wealth.”

Investment migration pathways

The program featured in-depth sessions on the Greece Golden Visa, Canada start-up visa, Portugal Golden residence permit, UAE Immigrant Investor program, and the United States EB-5 visa with its benefits and opportunities.

Here are the programs in details:

Greece Golden visa program

Evans Ahanaonu, sales & business development manager at MIBS Group, a developer based in Athens, Greece, highlighted the resurgence of the Greek economy and the benefits of their “Golden Visa” programme. He added that the Greek programme is uniquely suited to multi-generational families, including parents and in-laws in a single application.

“Greece happens to be the cradle of civilisation as well as a birthplace for democracy,” Evans noted, adding that the country has seen steady growth. “In the past five years, the property has appreciated a range between 5 percent to 7 percent annually.”

Key details

·        Costs 250,000 Euros to purchase a property (excludes processing fee)

·         The residency-by-investment programme is a five-year term residency (renewable every five years)

·         Freedom of travel to Greece and Europe’s Schengen Area

·         It covers three generations; that is the applicants, their children and parents of applicants, as well as parents of the spouse of the applicants

·         Free education for children up to 21 or 24 years of age

·         Benefits includes free medical care for entire family

·         Pathway to citizenship but applicants will need to spend a year in Greece (183 days a year or more for 7 years)

·         Basic Greek language is needed to obtain citizenship

Canada start-up visa

Ry Guy, regional director and program manager at Startup Visa Services Canada, highlighted the growing interest in Canada for those looking to expand West African enterprises into the North American market.

Addressing the requirements for the federal programme, he added: “You have to have a net worth of half a million dollars. You have to have a proven business experience that will help our economy.”

Guy  highlighted the “triple A stable economy” and the significant cost savings on tuition for residents.

“World class education… that’s free and you pay local tuition,” he said. “Not $50,000 a year, not $100,000 a year, but $5,000 a year.”

Key details

·         Investment fee of CAD250,000 plus legal fees

·         Covers families with children all under 22 years of age

·         Reduction of tuition fee for children

Portugal

Nuno Oliveira, business development manager, Mercan Group introduced the Portuguese model, which focuses on private equity funds within the hospitality sector. He noted that under new rules, investors now typically pivot to private equity funds, requiring a €500,000 commitment. Nuno noted that although the residency period required for citizenship may increase, the country’s minimal physical stay requirement remains a unique advantage.

 “In Portugal, you start with the Golden Visa, which is considered a temporary residency, then you can apply for permanent residency, and eventually, you have a pathway to citizenship,” Nuno explained. He further detailed a “guaranteed buyback” scheme, saying, “Once you reach one of your goals… you can request your money back… we will pay you back the 500,000 euros.”

“Any other programme in Europe requires you to relocate, or to live there at least six months every year. For Portugal though, assuming that it will change to ten years, you can still maintain the seven-day minimum stay requirement.”

Addressing concerns over recent legislative changes in Lisbon, Nuno, representing Mercken, clarified that while direct real estate is no longer an eligible route for the Golden Visa, the programme remains the most attractive in Europe for those not seeking immediate relocation.

Key details

·         Involves a €500,000 commitment

·         Investors can contribute a minimum of EUR 170,000 for specific routes or EUR 500,000 in funds for five years

·         Visa-free travel in Europe’s Schengen Area and the right to live, work, and study in Portugal

·         After five years of residency, investors are eligible for Portuguese citizenship without needing to relocate permanently.

·         The residence permit allows visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area  

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden visa

The United Arab Emirates continues to position itself as a premier destination for Nigerian “second-home” seekers. Remy, representing Al-Dar, a semi-government developer, highlighted the 10-year Golden Visa available for property owners investing $500,000.

“Abu Dhabi offers a lot… technically your property goes in value,” Remy explained, pointing to capital appreciation figures of 20 percent to 300 percent in certain districts. “This is a country where you can live, you can stay, you can grow your business.”

·         Key details

·         Costs AED 2 million($544,000) to purchase property

·         Baccarat residences is of growing interest among Nigerians and other nationalities.

·         Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 countries, with facilitated entry to several other nations across Europe and Asia

·         Golden visa is renewable after 10 years

·         The property is Free Hold, can be rented or occupied

·         The starting price is 15 million AED ($4 million)

United States EB-5 visa

Gavin Viljoen representing the leading US Regional Centre, explained the EB-5 programme, an $800,000 investment designed to create local jobs. He also stressed the importance of the “grandfathering” law, which protects investors from future policy shifts if they file before 30 September.

He added that the investment acts as a fiduciary loan to developers. “Most are doing this for their children to get a better education… or have other business opportunities.”

·         Key details

·         Involves a loan investment of $800,000 investment (asides other costs like investment migration attorney fees, government filing fees, etc)

·         The funds is at risk for two years

·         It does not have a “visa-free” list like treaty-based visas (such as the E-2), however, a Green card (conditional) will be issued within a year

·         Covers spouse and children under age of 21 years of age