Immigration reforms introduced by several countries in 2026 have opened or expanded potential routes for Nigerians seeking employment, travel or legal residency abroad.
The changes range from targeted programmes for skilled professionals to visa-free travel within Africa. However, the reforms do not guarantee entry or residence to Nigerian applicants, who must still satisfy the relevant immigration, employment, licensing or financial requirements.
Here are seven countries where the changes could be relevant to Nigerians.
Canada
Canada introduced a new Express Entry category targeting medical doctors with at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience within the previous three years.
The federal government also allocated 5,000 immigration spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers or letters of support. Successful nominees can qualify for expedited work-permit processing, with applications targeted for completion within 14 days.
The pathway is open to eligible international doctors generally, meaning Nigerian-trained doctors can benefit if they meet Canadian licensing and immigration requirements.
Ireland
Ireland expanded its employment-permit system following a review of occupations facing labour shortages.
The changes affected 32 occupations across areas including healthcare, construction, transport and agri-food. Six occupations were added to the Critical Skills Employment Permit system, while nine became eligible for General Employment Permits without a quota.
Nigerian professionals whose qualifications and experience match the affected occupations may therefore have additional employment options.
Russia
Russia introduced a skilled-worker immigration route aimed at attracting foreign professionals to areas experiencing labour shortages.
Eligible workers can reportedly access temporary residence and, in some circumstances, permanent residence. One significant change under the route is the removal of the mandatory Russian-language examination for qualifying applicants.
Lithuania
Lithuania set a 2026 national quota of 24,706 foreign workers as part of its efforts to manage labour shortages.
The quota applies across professions and sectors rather than being divided among individual industries. However, the quota was exhausted by September, meaning applicants after that point faced additional conditions relating to salary levels or shortage occupations.
Spain
Spain’s 2026 extraordinary regularisation programme created an opportunity for some migrants already living in the country.
The programme did not provide a new immigration route for people applying from Nigeria. Instead, it targeted migrants who had lived continuously in Spain for at least five months and were resident there before January 1, 2026.
Those who qualified could receive one-year authorisation to live and work anywhere in Spain. Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion reported more than 1.17 million applications before the June 30 deadline.
Ghana
Ghana introduced a visa-fee exemption for African nationals from May 25, allowing eligible African travellers to apply for the country’s e-visa without paying a visa fee.
The policy covers Nigerian citizens and is intended to encourage tourism, investment, African integration and easier movement across the continent.
Togo
Togo also removed entry-visa requirements for citizens of African countries from May 18.
The exemption covers holders of valid African passports or recognised travel documents. A subsequent government decree provides for visa-free entry for up to 30 days, subject to applicable immigration conditions.
For Nigerians, the Ghanaian and Togolese reforms represent the most direct changes because they affect short-term movement rather than requiring applicants to qualify for employment or residence programmes.
Overall, the 2026 changes show that immigration policies are moving in different directions. While some countries are tightening access, others are creating targeted pathways for workers, reducing administrative barriers or promoting greater regional mobility.
