Thousands of Nigerian tech bros/sis arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport every day in search of greener pastures abroad. This has become a trending move as more people even change career paths to fit the most favourable global market, the tech industry, due to rising job opportunities and great pay.
While many people know what they want, many are unsure where to start. The majority of people focus on three most popular countries (US, UK and Canada) despite their high immigrant numbers, lengthy visa processes, and high cost of living due to the dollar-naira rate issue.
So, we’ve scoured many countries and we’ve compiled a list of four not-so-popular countries where tech bros and tech sis looking to use their skills to make a better life for themselves in some other places can thrive and earn good money.
Read Also: Here is the ultimate guide to becoming a ‘tech bro’ in Nigeria, according to seasoned bros
Estonia
As a Rising Global Tech Country, Estonia is home to some of the world’s largest IT companies, including Microsoft, Bolt, Fujitsu, TransferWise, and IBM. It also has one of the highest startups per capita rates.
And, Tallinn, the capital city is a great place to work for cybersecurity professionals and IT experts.
Estonia has high standard of living. Public transportation and the internet are free. Healthcare, however, is not entirely free.
As long as all required documents are available, the visa application process is relatively simple, and temporary residence permits are valid for 5 years. Even without a job contract, your spouse can apply for a visa as a “partner” and is likely to be granted a two-year temporary work permit.
A tech bro in Estonia can earn between 2,000 and 4,000 euros per month, in comparison to the average monthly gross salary in Estonia of around 1,300 euros.
The country is well-known for its embrace of digitalization which includes e-governance, digital nomad visa (remote individuals can live and work in Estonia for up to one year) and e-residency. Individuals can also start up a business in Estonia without living there.
What better way to escape your country’s hectic lifestyle than to relocate to a more peaceful and tranquil environment like Estonia that still supports tech businesses and startups?
Learn more about the Estonia Visa Application here
The Netherlands
With outstanding technological innovations, The Netherlands is one of the countries most enthusiastic about Blockchain technology and it is an excellent choice for tech bros looking to relocate.
The country that can be described as a fast-growing tech location is home to some of the world’s largest IT companies. These include TCS, Infosys, Oracle, Amazon, Cisco, and Cognizant.
It also has one of the greatest concentrations of AI startups in the EU. Amsterdam, the capital city, and Eindhoven are two cities known for their large technology hubs and innovation. It is an excellent place to work for data scientists and IT professionals.
The total cost of living in the Netherlands is slightly higher than in its European neighbours. Tech bros in the country can earn between 2000 and 7000 euros per month, depending on experience and location, compared to the average monthly gross salary of around 1,600 euros.
The visa application process may necessitate more effort. Individuals wishing to contribute to the Netherlands’ knowledge economy can apply for work permits and a highly skilled migrant visa.
Furthermore, for some categories, the visa application is completed automatically with a residence permit, and individuals can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years. Entrepreneurs and start-up founders can also apply for a self-employment visa.
See more information about the Netherland Visa process here.
Read Also: How Kelvin Alaneme’s CareerEdu has helped 1,000 young Nigerians get UK visas for study and work
Israel
Israel is not only the home of some of the world’s holiest sites. It is also a scientific, technological, and innovative powerhouse. It also has one of the largest concentrations of high-tech startups in the world with Tel Aviv named the world’s seventh most innovative tech ecosystem.
Israel has made a name for itself over the years, attracting large tech corporations to continue operations. These include Red Hat, Meta, Intel, Apple, Ford, Microsoft, and Dell Technology are among them. It is a superb place to work for all tech bros, especially those who specialise in mobile/app development and IT/cyber security.
The cost of living can vary from moderate to high depending on where you choose to live; however, housing appears to be the most expensive expenditure. It may come as a surprise, but tech bros in the Holy Land are well compensated.
Salaries of software engineers in Tel Aviv, Israel range from ₪26,000 ($7000) to ₪431,000 ($128,000). The average salary for a Software Engineer is ₪284,320 ($87,000) annually.
The visa application process is a little complicated. Individuals, however with a B-1 work visa, are permitted to bring their spouses/children. Also, Israel does not have a working permit for self-employment. But, it has an Innovation visa (also known as the Start-Up visa) and the Expert visa for foreign entrepreneurs.
It is important to note that, while IT professionals are always in high demand, there is competition for jobs among qualified Israelis and foreigners.
Read more information about the Israel Visa here.
Read Also; Are 60% of Lagos youth cultists or tech bros?
Sweden
Sweden, the pop and vibrant country, has more to offer than just pure entertainment. The country is considered one of the world’s largest tech hubs, with an estimated 35 unicorn startups.
Sweden is known for its strong interest in cybersecurity, 5G/6G, and advanced digital technology.
As a leading global tech country, Sweden is home to some very old and popular tech brands including Volvo, Ericsson and Spotify among others. It is an excellent location to work for AWS, Azure, GCP experts and DevOps Engineers.
Salaries in Sweden are high. But, they are approximately equal to its high cost of living. The majority of this high cost is largely attributable to rent prices, which seem to be a result of housing shortages.
For IT experts in Sweden, salaries range from 35,000 SEK to 100,000 SEK, which is a good pay when compared to the US salary IT chart.
Once all documents are in order, the visa application process for Sweden is relatively simple. The wait time ranges from 15 to 60 days. There are also different types of work permits: the EU Blue Card for highly skilled workers and the ICT permit for workers transferred from a company’s Swedish branch.
Find more information about obtaining the Sweden Visa here
Conclusion
The world of technology is evolving and rapidly growing, with more countries establishing their own silicon valleys.
Lately, we have begun to hear new terms in the tech space such as Web3, De-Fi, blockchain, and metaverse, among others. So, if you have been considering a career in IT, there has never been a better time to become a tech bro.
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