Many people have been seeking ways on how to leave the country; most have seen different ways to leave Nigeria but most times, the cost of processing a visa and an international passport is always a limitation.
Lying low are some channels through which some people can leave Nigeria without paying as much as the normal price that should be used to travel. Let’s uncover these silent ways by which someone can leave Nigeria for free. Yes, you heard that right. Let’s go.
There are so many scholarship opportunities which not only handle the tuition fees but also cater for visa expenses and accommodation arrangements. Getting to dig out these opportunities and following them up tenaciously can be a great source of leaving the country.
Some of the international scholarships not only cover tuition fees but also cover visa expenses. One can get these scholarship offers by either applying for an undergraduate program or a postgraduate program abroad.
Here are some international scholarships that cover visa costs:
- Fulbright Scholarship (USA): Covers tuition, flights, living allowance, health insurance and other expenses.
- Chevening Scholarships (UK): Cover tuition fees, a living stipend, an economy class return flight to the UK and supplementary funds.
- Commonwealth Scholarship (UK): Covers tuition fees, living stipend and other expenses.
- DAAD Scholarship (Germany): Covers tuition fees, living stipend and other expenses.
- The Oxford Pershing Scholarship (UK): Covers tuition fees, living stipend and other expenses.
Wherever one finds himself or herself, it is always advisable to build a strong professional network with people in that area and beyond. When one gets to have strong networking, communities and international volunteer services can be made known to the person and such a person can get a fully sponsored trip abroad.
The trip might be long term or a short term one, but whichever one, one can also get to leave this country for free by engaging and partnering with international community services.
Most times, certain requirements might be required to make one qualify for this opportunity and if duly met one can benefit from these offers. Some of the internationally recognized communities which offer these include;
Here are some communities that may sponsor members to study or travel overseas:
- Rotary International: Offers scholarships and exchange programs for students and professionals.
- Lions Club International: Provides scholarships and grants for students and humanitarian projects.
- Rotary District 9142 (Nigeria): Offers scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Nigerian diaspora organizations (e.g., Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO)): May offer scholarships or sponsorships for members.
- Professional associations (e.g., Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Bar Association): May offer scholarships or sponsorships for members.
- Community development clubs (e.g., Lions Club, Rotary Club): May offer scholarships or sponsorships for members.
- Religious organizations (e.g., Catholic Church, Muslim organizations): May offer scholarships or sponsorships for members.
- Ethnic or cultural associations (e.g., Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa associations): May offer scholarships or sponsorships for members.
It’s important to know that these communities sometimes have specific requirements, such as membership, academic achievements or community service, to qualify for sponsorship.
One way of also leaving the country for free is by partnering with prominent international companies, as sometimes these companies transfer and sponsor some of their employees to a new international location abroad.
Showcasing your talents while applying for an international job sometimes triggers international companies to sponsor one’s visa expenses . There are some companies, specifically UK companies, that offer these opportunities.
Top Uk Companies That Sponsor Visas
There are an abundance of UK companies willing to sponsor visas. The UK is known as home to a wealth of companies that are eager to provide sponsored visas to talented individuals like you who are looking to relocate.
Within the Register of Licensed Sponsors, you’ll find a diverse pool of over 3,200 organizations actively seeking to support foreign workers in their relocation endeavors. Once you secure sponsorship, you’ll receive a certificate of sponsorship with a unique reference number, a crucial document for your visa application and successful relocation to the UK.
Exploring visa sponsorship options allows you to identify organizations that align with your career goals and facilitate a smooth relocation.
It is very important that one who seeks to travel out of Nigeria ensure that whichever companies he or she relies on for sponsorship abroad are licensed.
Achieving a successful skilled worker visa application often requires close collaboration with your prospective employer.
This can be done by establishing a strong partnership, You can ensure their unwavering support throughout the visa process, facilitating a smooth relocation to the UK.
You’d have to get a letter from your intended employer. Once you have received the necessary letter from your intended employer, your visa application journey begins, bringing you one step closer to your desired relocation.
- EY Accounting & Professional Services
Ernst & Young Global Limited, trade name EY, is a multinational professional services partnership. EY is one of the largest professional services networks in the world. Along with Deloitte, KPMG and PwC. EY is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms.
- PwC Accounting & professional services
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited happens to also be a multinational professional services brand of firms, operating as partnerships under the PwC brand. It is the second-largest professional services network in the world.
- Deloitte Accounting & professional services
Deloitte is a British multinational professional services network. Deloitte is also the largest professional services network by revenue and number of employees in the world and is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms, along with EY, KPMG and PwC.
- Goldman Sachs Investment banking
It was founded in 1869, is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.
- HSBC Banking & finance
HSBC is a British multinational banking and financial services organization based in Birmingham, England. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the global HSBC banking and financial group, which has been headquartered in London since 1993.
- Barclays Banking & finance
- National Health Services
- McKinsey & Company Consulting
- Accenture Technology & Consulting
- GSK Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals
- Amazon Consumer Goods
- Rolls-Royce Engineering & industrial Firms
In 2023, numerous registered and licensed sponsors actually awaited international candidates who were seeking visa sponsorship for their relocation to the UK.
The Register of Licensed Sponsors serves as a valuable resource, opening doors to exciting opportunities and making your relocation dreams a reality. One can take advantage of the register of licensed sponsors and easily relocate to the country of his dreams.
Visa lotteries are another big way to get to travel out of Nigeria for free. Once one wins a visa lottery, one gets a green card and gains permanent residency at whichever country he has won a visa lottery for.
Exchange programs. There are some exchange programs which help cover travel expenses. One can look for cultural exchange programs, internships, or fellowships, which can help cover travel costs.
Volunteer opportunities. Organizations like UN Volunteers, Peace Corps, or non-profit organizations sometimes cover one’s travel expenses. Some of these volunteer organizations include:
Here are some volunteer organizations that may sponsor individuals to travel overseas:
- Peace Corps (USA): Offers fully-funded programs for volunteers to work in developing countries.
- United Nations Volunteers (UNV): Places volunteers in developing countries to support development projects.
- VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas): Offers placements in Africa and Asia for skilled professionals.
- Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: Deploys volunteers for humanitarian work worldwide.
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF): Sends medical professionals on assignments to crisis zones.
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): Places volunteers in refugee camps and crisis zones.
- Habitat for Humanity: Offers volunteer opportunities for construction projects worldwide.
- World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF): Places volunteers on organic farms globally.
- International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE): This offers long-term volunteer placements in 40 countries.
- European Voluntary Service (EVS): This funds volunteers for projects in Europe and beyond.
- Australian Volunteers International (AVI): Places volunteers in Asia, Pacific, and Africa.
- Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA): Funds volunteers for development projects worldwide.
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Offers volunteer opportunities for development projects.
- Volunteer Forever: Offers scholarships and fundraising support for volunteer travel.
- Go Overseas: Provides resources and funding opportunities for volunteer travel.
However, it is necessary to know that some organizations may require specific skills, experience, or qualifications before they can grant one such opportunity, and sometimes they don’t cover the whole cost involved in traveling.
Competitions and contests: Through competitions and different types of academic and non-academic contests, one can be opportune to get an award, which would entail traveling out of the country completely sponsored. One should enter essay contests, photo contests or other competitions that offer travel awards.
Grants: One can research and apply for travel grants from organizations like the Nigerian government, foundations, or NGOs, which could help support one’s trip financially.
Fellowship programs. Applying for fellowship programs like the Fulbright Program, Mandela Washington Fellowship, or Chevening Scholarships.
Travel awards. There are travel awards like the Nigeria Travel Award or the African Travel Award. When you’ve applied for these awards, you stand a chance of winning and getting a fully sponsored trip abroad.
You can explore any of the different ways, which are not entirely known yet by the general public and leave Nigeria completely sponsored. Don’t procrastinate your travel plans due to inadequate funds involved. Try one of the options discussed in the article and who knows, you might be that lucky person to win the next visa lottery or contest.
