Niger

NER

Niger is a landlocked Sahel nation in West Africa bordered by Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali. In July 2023 the presidential guard ousted elected president Mohamed Bazoum, installing General Abdourahamane Tchiani as head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). The coup triggered ECOWAS sanctions, the withdrawal of French and US troops, and a significant reorientation toward Russia. Uranium exports remain a key revenue source, though France's Orano suspended mining operations in late 2023. Islamist insurgent activity continues in the Tillabéri and Diffa regions. The Nigerien passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 44 destinations, primarily within ECOWAS member states.

Passport Rank

#101

Visa-Free

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Niamey
Currency: XOF
Languages: French, Hausa, Zarma
Population: 26,207,977
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Naturalisation: 10 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Desert in north; semi-arid Sahel in south

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 10 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Niamey	—	—	—	—	—
Zinder	—	—	—	—	—
Maradi	—	—	—	—	—

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Niamey

24.7°J

27.9°F

31.9°M

34.8°A

34.7°M

32.3°J

29.7°J

28.3°A

29.8°S

31.6°O

29.1°N

25.8°D

Rainfall range: 0–170 mm/month · Daylight 11h (winter) to 13h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Tourist
Business
Long-stay
Work
Family
Student

Authority: Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire
Official Portal: www.interieur.gouv.ne
Phone: +227 20 72 22 71
Email: contact@interieur.gouv.ne

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 10
Language Test: Yes (French)
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: Yes
Fee: $50
Processing: ~24 months

Safety

GPI Rank

#141

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Advance-fee / coup email fraud — scammers pose as officials or coup-connected insiders claiming funds need urgent extraction, targeting foreigners for money or identity documents
⚠Coordinated group pickpocketing targeting foreigners and 4WD vehicles in Niamey markets and transit areas
⚠Drink spiking in social venues and hotel bars

Examples of areas to avoid: Tillabéri Region (western border with Mali/Burkina Faso) — active jihadist operations, frequent armed attacks, military escort required for all foreign travel, Diffa Region (southeast border near Lake Chad) — persistent Boko Haram and ISWAP presence, state of emergency in force, Northern Agadez Region and Libya border zones — armed smuggling corridors and terrorist transit routes

Related Guides

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.

Sources & last verified

Last verified 2026-06-15