This thread is for aspiring Immigrants. I decided to post this so it could be useful to everyone who wish to leave and settle down in another country in the nearest future. Kindly read through and comment. 

QUESTION: I am from Nigeria, studying in Canada, Singapore, Germany, UK, Australia or Ireland, which country is better off in terms of job employment and permanent residency for international students after graduation?

ANSWER:Okay.. it is clear, that your motivation to study, is to gain employment post study and eventual permanent residence in a more developed country that Nigeria. As far as a desire goes, this is fine, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, everyone is right about following rules. That you are asking shows you want to follow a legal route, which is good, but it is clear, you do not understand the process!

Almost all countries will offer a work permit leading to a permanent residency, if you are very highly skilled and specialized, for example a nuclear scientist or something! However, we are not talking about that here. You need to understand that countries like Canada and Australia (and others) want immigrants, but they want to assess them, and decide who take, and whom not to. This is why they have a points based system. Controlled immigration is good.

So, if you really want to emigrate, you have to become worthy of being wanted. You have to stand out as being someone who will be a value to the country and help it grow. To my knowledge countries which are interested in general immigration include, Canada, Australia, NZ, Denmark, and a few in Europe including Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden. The UK is closed to immigration.

So, you have to study to learn, not to emigrate! Acquire skills, to become employable, and eventually gain the points for entry. Life is not a bed of roses abroad, living costs are high, and the work ethic is exceptional. You will hate it if you got here, but did not deserve to be. You will do low paid work and never really rise in society – I am sure you do not want that! I have seen many do this, as if “everything in the west is made of gold”! Its a myth. People, work very hard to make a decent living, and some do more than one job.

So my advice, which I am sure others will also support, is to strop focusing on emigrating, but on acquiring skills, studying, working and doing something useful. Nigeria is a growing country and so is Africa. There are a HUGE no of opportunities to make money in a country on a growth curve. If you invest in yourself, you can travel, see the world and if you have the right skills, you may even work abroad. The world will open up to you.

So, change your focus.. it is about your life, and what kind of person you become, not about emigrating which way but how! Maybe explore a business? The world appreciates people of substance, and just having a desire for a better life, is not enough. Use it as a catalyst and swing into action, and do not under-estimate your own country. Good luck.