The flight is booked, the visa is in your passport or on your phone, and you've promised everyone at home you'll "settle in quickly." The first three months abroad decide how smooth the next three years will be. Most of the damage people do to themselves in that window comes from the same few mistakes: spending savings too fast, ignoring paperwork, and trusting the wrong person for housing or a job.
This is a practical order of operations for the first 90 days. It's written for Nigerians moving for study, work or family, and it applies broadly to the UK, Canada, the US, Ireland, Australia and similar destinations. Rules on banking, tax IDs and registration differ by country, so I point you to the official place to check rather than guess. Your visa conditions always come first.
Before you land: the 10 things to carry and know
Your first week is far easier if the right papers are in your hand luggage, not in a checked bag that might be delayed.
- Passport and visa evidence (printed or saved offline, in addition to any online status).
- Offer or admission letter, or employment contract, plus any sponsor reference numbers.
- Accommodation address for the first nights, with the booking confirmation.
- Original academic and professional certificates, with copies. You'll need them for registration, credential checks or licensing.
- Proof of your Nigerian identity details: NIN slip, BVN number written down, and your bank's contact details.
- Medical and vaccination records where your destination or school asks for them.
- Insurance documents if you bought travel or health cover.
- A small amount of the local currency from a licensed source for transport and a SIM on day one.
- Emergency contacts written on paper, including your embassy or high commission.
- Your employer's or university's arrival instructions, such as where to collect documents and by what date.
Only the originals you were told to bring are essential. Don't carry documents you can't replace if you don't need them yet.
Days 1 to 7: stabilise
Confirm your immigration status and its conditions
Read your visa or permit conditions line by line. Check how many hours you may work, whether you can switch employers, and whether you must register with an authority or collect a document within a set period. Some countries issue a physical card, others a digital status record. Your destination's official immigration website is the only reliable source on this.
If anything on your permit looks wrong, such as a misspelt name or wrong dates, report it to the issuing authority immediately. Don't wait for it to cause a problem at a job or bank.
Get connected and safe
Buy a local SIM from a recognised store. You'll need a local number for banking, deliveries and verification codes. Keep your Nigerian number active if your Nigerian bank sends alerts or codes to it, and ask your bank how it handles verification when you're abroad.
Sleep somewhere legitimate
Short-term housing is where newcomers lose money first. Never pay a deposit for a place you haven't seen through a live video tour or in person, and never pay by gift card, crypto or a personal account that doesn't match the landlord's name. Our guide on spotting fake visa agents and protecting your fees covers the pressure tactics that also show up in housing and "job placement" offers.
Weeks 2 to 4: build your paper trail
Most systems abroad rely on records: an address, a bank account, a tax or social ID, and a history. Each one unlocks the next, so order matters.
| Step | Why it comes here | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of address | Banks and many services ask for it first | Tenancy agreement, university letter or utility bill |
| Local bank account | Needed for salary, rent and building a record | The bank's own site; ask what ID they accept from new arrivals |
| Tax or social number | Needed by employers, where your country requires it | The government tax or social security website |
| Health registration | Access to care and sometimes a condition of your visa | The national or state health service site, or your insurer |
| Student or staff ID | Opens discounts, library, transport and payroll | Your university or employer's onboarding team |
Bank requirements differ widely. Some banks open accounts for students with an admission letter, others want proof of address first. If one bank turns you down, ask what document they'd accept before trying another. Don't use anyone else's address, ID or account to get around a requirement.
Weeks 4 to 8: set a money system before you need one
Relocation costs hit early and keep coming. The mistake is treating your landing savings as one pile of money. Split it into three buckets on day one.
A hypothetical example
Say you arrive with the equivalent of 3,000 units of local currency saved, and your fixed monthly cost for rent, food and transport is 1,100. These numbers are illustrative only, not typical for any city.
- Bucket 1, fixed costs: 3 months of rent, transport and food is 3,300. That's already more than you have.
- What that tells you: you need income, a cheaper room, or both within the first month, not the third.
- Bucket 2, one-off setup: bedding, a coat if you're moving to a cold country, kitchen basics, a phone plan. Cap this at a number you decide in advance.
- Bucket 3, emergency: one month of fixed costs that you don't touch for anything else.
Do this arithmetic with your real figures before you fly. If the buckets don't add up, you want to know that while you can still adjust, not after you've paid a year's rent.
Sending money home
Family expectations start almost as soon as you land. Decide a fixed monthly amount, or a fixed percentage of income, only after your first full month of expenses is known. Use licensed transfer providers and compare the total cost, which includes the exchange rate margin and fees. Don't rely on a quoted headline fee alone. Never send money through an informal contact who promises a "special rate."
Keep your Nigerian account tidy too. If you have an ajo, esusu or cooperative commitment, tell the organiser your situation, and read our guide on picking a safe savings group before sending contributions from abroad.
Weeks 6 to 12: work, study and credentials
If you're a student
Attend every orientation session. They explain attendance rules, which can affect your visa, and where to get academic, financial and mental health support. If your course requires attendance monitoring, treat it as a legal condition, not a suggestion. Talk to your international office before you consider dropping a course or changing institution.
If you're a worker
Keep a folder with your contract, payslips and any messages about your role. Check that your pay, hours and job title match what your sponsor or visa describes. If something differs, ask your HR team or a regulated adviser, and don't just accept it. If you're job hunting, a local-style CV matters; our post on writing a CV for international roles will help you adapt your format.
If your profession is regulated
Nurses, doctors, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists and teachers usually need to register with a professional body. Start this early because it can take months and often needs official documents sent directly from your Nigerian university or regulator. Find the exact process on the regulator's own website. Use only the credential assessment bodies that your target employer, school or regulator names.
Common mistakes in the first 90 days
- Paying for an "agent" to find housing or a job. Real employers don't charge you to hire you.
- Working beyond your permitted hours. A cash job that breaks your conditions can end your status.
- Skipping registration deadlines. Some steps have fixed windows after arrival.
- Letting your Nigerian accounts go dormant. Keep them active and know how to reach support from abroad.
- Isolating yourself. Join your university's African or Nigerian society, a faith group or a professional network. They share real housing and job leads.
- Posting your documents online. Don't share photos of your visa, passport or tickets publicly.
If you do lose money to a scam, act quickly. Our guide on how to report a scam and improve your recovery odds covers the reporting steps, and you should also report to the police and your bank in the country you're now in.
A simple 90-day checklist
- Day 1: confirm your permit details, buy a SIM, reach your accommodation.
- Week 1: attend orientation or onboarding, save emergency numbers.
- Week 2: secure proof of address, begin bank account application.
- Week 3: apply for tax or social ID and health registration where required.
- Week 4: write your three-bucket budget using real costs.
- Weeks 5 to 6: set a fixed amount to send home, and compare transfer providers.
- Weeks 7 to 8: start professional registration or credential steps if needed.
- Weeks 9 to 12: review spending, update your CV, and build a local network.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a bank account before I arrive?
Some banks and digital providers allow it, others don't. Check each provider's own site and be cautious of any app that isn't properly licensed in the country.
Should I send money home straight away?
Not before you know your real monthly costs. Wait for your first full month, then set an amount you can sustain.
Do I need to tell my Nigerian bank I'm abroad?
Often yes, or at least confirm how it handles card use and verification overseas. Ask through its official channels, not through social media accounts claiming to be support.
What if my job isn't what I was promised?
Keep records, speak to HR, and seek advice from a regulated immigration adviser or the relevant labour authority. Don't resign before understanding what it means for your status.
Next step: tonight, write your three buckets with real numbers, and print the one-page checklist above. If the buckets don't balance, fix that before you fly.
This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Rules change often, so confirm on the official government website or with a licensed adviser, and avoid agents who promise guaranteed visas.