Money and transfers

Naira and euro, paying the visa fee, blocked account, sending money.

• Visa fee: paid at the mission in naira at the current exchange rate, cash or POS (Visa and embassy). Bring enough; fees are not refunded if the visa is refused.
• Blocked account (study): you transfer the amount in euros before the visa (Study). Use only providers recognised for the visa; the Federal Foreign Office page on accepted providers was not checked here. Never send money to a private person who offers "proof of funds".
• Exchange rate: the naira rate moves and official and street rates can differ; Nigerian rules for sending foreign currency abroad were not checked. Ask your bank in writing which documents it needs.
• Sending money home later: compare total cost (fee plus exchange margin) in the World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide. Use providers licensed in the EU (BaFin).
• Taxes: in Germany income tax applies to people living here (§ 8 AO). A Germany-Nigeria tax treaty and Nigerian tax duties were not checked.
• Remittance and cash "agents" who promise a visa or job are scams: Scams.