Niger
NERNiger 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 around 52 destinations, primarily within ECOWAS member states.
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- XOF
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Niamey
- Region
- africa
- Population
- 26,207,977
- Cost-of-living
- 24 /100
Passport Rank
#101
Visa-Free
52
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Niger passport has visa-free access to 52 destinations. See the full Niger passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Niger without a prior visa (19)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Niger
Current IRCC processing times for Niger nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 79 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | 19 months |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
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
- GDP per capita
- $775
- Life expectancy
- 61.43 yrs
- Population growth
- 3.22%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
24
Safety
21
Healthcare
13
Quality of Life
16
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
← scroll the table →
| 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
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
- 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
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Niger, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad
MAE NigerOfficial Niger guidance on entry conditions, consular visa filing, exceptional entry-point visa authorization and diplomatic or consular representations.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Niger, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Short-term / business
Airside Transit Visa Exemption
Short-term / businessNiger airside transit exemption for foreign nationals transiting by air without leaving the airport limits during stopovers.
Consular Entry Visa
Short-term / businessNiger ordinary entry visa route filed through a Niger diplomatic or consular representation before travel.
Exceptional Entry-Point Visa Authorization
Short-term / businessExceptional Niger visa-at-entry handling for travellers departing from a country where Niger has no diplomatic or consular representation.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified