How much does it cost for a doctor to move from Nigeria to United States?

On the work/skilled route, budget ₦6,648,936–₦30,984,043 for visa fees, flights from Lagos and the first months of rent in United States. Profession-specific licensing or registration fees apply on top, and the study route (with tuition and proof of funds) costs more. Use the Japa Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What is the best visa route for a doctor from Nigeria to United States?

The primary skilled-worker route for United States is the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa. Processing time is 3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1). Verified visa fee: ₦4,494,681.

What salary can a Nigerian doctor expect in United States?

Entry salary for Medical Doctor in United States (Median $275,930 (physicians and surgeons, May 2025), 2025) is USD 60,000. Mid-career: USD 275,930. Top of band: USD 488,320. BLS reports a median wage for physicians and surgeons of $275,930 (May 2025); 10th percentile $76,560, 90th percentile $488,320. Residents earn far less during training (resident stipends are not a BLS figure).

How much does it cost to relocate from Nigeria to the United States?

Costs depend heavily on your route, and for Nigerians the H-1B work visa is currently the only route on this page that is open: green cards, the DV lottery and F-1 student visas have been suspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 under Proclamation 10998, s.5(j). The H-1B also has the lowest personal cost, since employers pay most fees. A hidden cost most Nigerians miss is health insurance — without employer coverage, expect to pay $400–$700/month. Houston and Dallas offer the most affordable living with no state income tax. Use the Japa Calculator to get a personalized cost estimate based on your specific situation.

Doctor Relocating to United States from Nigeria: ₦6,648,936–₦30,984,043

Verified relocation cost range · Last reviewed 8 Oct 2026

By Max AyobamiReviewed 8 Oct 2026 · Contact

450+ facts checked against official sourcesBuilt by Nigerians, for NigeriansReviewed 8 Oct 2026

For Nigerian doctors, the US path runs through ECFMG certification, the USMLE Step exams, and then matching into a US residency before full state licensure. It is long and competitive — passing exams is not enough; you must secure a residency post via the NRMP Match. Most international medical graduates train on a J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG, but Proclamation 10998 has suspended J visas for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026. Nigerian doctors need a residency programme that sponsors the H-1B, which is not suspended.

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Verified relocation cost — Nigeria to United States

Detail	Value
Total cost (NGN)	₦6,648,936–₦30,984,043
Total cost (USD)	$5,000–$23,300
Primary visa route	H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Visa fee	₦4,494,681
Processing time	3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1)
Rent (1-bed, New York City)	₦5,095,745/mo

All figures from our verified relocation database. Exchange rates as of 12 October 2026.

Doctor-specific costs in United States

Detail	Value
Registration & licensing costs	₦3.9M–₦4.5M
Entry salary (2025)	USD 60,000
Salary band (2025)	Median $275,930 (physicians and surgeons, May 2025)
Migration history	Largest IMG source markets incl. Nigeria 2024-2025

Full Guide Available

Read the full Doctor → United States guide → — covers registration steps, exam fees, salary progression, and the documents you need to practise in United States.

Visa options for United States

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1)

₦4,812,500

EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green CardSuspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 (normally 12–36 months: PERM labor certification 6–18 months + I-140 petition 6–12 months + consular processing 3–6 months)

₦2,039,894

F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPTSuspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 (normally 4–8 weeks for the visa)

₦1,255,319

DV Lottery (Diversity Visa)Not available to Nigerian nationals (Nigeria is DV-ineligible, and immigrant visas are suspended since 1 January 2026)

₦440,160

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost for a doctor to move from Nigeria to United States?: On the work/skilled route, budget ₦6,648,936–₦30,984,043 for visa fees, flights from Lagos and the first months of rent in United States. Profession-specific licensing or registration fees apply on top, and the study route (with tuition and proof of funds) costs more. Use the Japa Calculator for a personalised estimate.
What is the best visa route for a doctor from Nigeria to United States?: The primary skilled-worker route for United States is the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa. Processing time is 3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1). Verified visa fee: ₦4,494,681.
What salary can a Nigerian doctor expect in United States?: Entry salary for Medical Doctor in United States (Median $275,930 (physicians and surgeons, May 2025), 2025) is USD 60,000. Mid-career: USD 275,930. Top of band: USD 488,320. BLS reports a median wage for physicians and surgeons of $275,930 (May 2025); 10th percentile $76,560, 90th percentile $488,320. Residents earn far less during training (resident stipends are not a BLS figure).
How much does it cost to relocate from Nigeria to the United States?: Costs depend heavily on your route, and for Nigerians the H-1B work visa is currently the only route on this page that is open: green cards, the DV lottery and F-1 student visas have been suspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 under Proclamation 10998, s.5(j). The H-1B also has the lowest personal cost, since employers pay most fees. A hidden cost most Nigerians miss is health insurance — without employer coverage, expect to pay $400–$700/month. Houston and Dallas offer the most affordable living with no state income tax. Use the Japa Calculator to get a personalized cost estimate based on your specific situation.

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Data methodology: Visa fees sourced from official government websites. Cost-of-living from Numbeo and local sources. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 12 October 2026). All costs are estimates and subject to change with exchange rates and policy updates. Verify with official immigration websites before making decisions. Last reviewed: 8 Oct 2026

Source: U.S. State Department ↗Source: Numbeo ↗Source: USCIS ↗