What documents do I need to move to Australia as a Nigeria citizen?

Typical pathway: Skilled Nominated

Last verified: September 22, 2026

Nigerian international passport (biographical page) (before) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190
Current machine-readable Nigerian passport, valid well beyond the expected visa grant date, for the primary applicant and each dependent. The Department requires the biographical/photo pages of the current passport of every visa applicant to be uploaded to ImmiAccount. Renew early through the Nigeria Immigration Service if validity is short.
Recent passport-style photograph of each applicant (before) — Source: Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) document checklist
One recent colour passport-size photograph (head and shoulders, plain background) per applicant, uploaded as a digital image with the application. This is separate from the passport biographical page scan and from any photo taken at the panel clinic.
Nigerian birth certificate or NPC attestation of birth (before) — Source: National Population Commission of Nigeria
Birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission (NPC) of Nigeria for the applicant and each accompanying child, used to evidence age (points test) and identity. Where no NPC certificate exists, an NPC attestation of birth plus a sworn declaration of age is commonly submitted — verify acceptability with the Department, as evidentiary standards for Nigerian civil records are applied strictly.
Sworn affidavit / change-of-name evidence for name discrepancies (before) — Source: Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) document checklist
Nigerian court affidavit, newspaper publication or deed poll explaining any difference in name spelling or order across passport, academic (WAEC/degree) and employment records. Home Affairs requires evidence where a name has changed or differs between documents.
Positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation (before) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190
A suitable skills assessment issued by the relevant Australian assessing authority for your ANZSCO occupation (e.g. ACS, Engineers Australia, AHPRA-linked bodies, VETASSESS), valid at the time of invitation. Nigerian qualifications are assessed for comparability, so include the underlying degree certificate and academic transcript submitted to that authority.
English language test result (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL iBT etc.) (before) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190
Test report showing at least Competent English, taken in the three years immediately before the invitation to apply. Nigerian citizenship does not exempt an applicant from testing (passport-based exemptions apply only to listed countries), and higher scores are needed for Proficient/Superior English points.
State or territory nomination approval and SkillSelect invitation to apply (before) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190
The nomination decision notice from the nominating state/territory (issued after your SkillSelect EOI and, where required, a Registration of Interest) together with the invitation to apply. The 190 visa application cannot be lodged without an invitation tied to that nomination.
Skilled employment evidence (reference letters, payslips, tax/pension records) (before) — Source: Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) document checklist
For each period of claimed skilled employment in the 10 years before invitation: employer reference letters on letterhead stating position, dates, hours and duties, plus corroborating payslips, contracts, bank salary credits, FIRS/state tax documents or PenCom pension statements for Nigerian employment. Employment references must meet the Department's stated content requirements.
Nigeria Police Character Certificate (police clearance) (before) — Source: https://possap.gov.ng/
Character certificate from the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, applied for through the POSSAP portal with fingerprint capture, for every applicant aged 16 or over who has lived in Nigeria 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Australian police certificates are treated as valid for 12 months from issue; if you are applying from outside Nigeria, allow extra time as the certificate is still issued from Nigeria.
Additional overseas police certificates for other countries of residence (before) — Source: Australian Federal Police – National Police Checks
Police/penal clearance certificates from every other country (including an AFP National Police Check for time spent in Australia) where any applicant aged 16+ has lived for 12 months or more cumulatively in the past 10 years — relevant for Nigerians who studied or worked in the UK, UAE, Canada, etc.
Immigration medical examination results via HAP ID at an approved panel clinic (before) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health/arrange-your-health-examinations
Health examinations (general medical, chest X-ray from age 11, HIV and serum creatinine/eGFR from age 15 for permanent visas) done only after you receive your HAP ID, at a Department-approved panel physician/clinic in Nigeria such as the IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres in Lagos and Abuja. Results are typically valid 12 months.
Polio vaccination certificate (before) — Source: Department of Home Affairs – migration health requirement (polio vaccination evidence)
Nigeria-specific requirement: applicants who have spent 28 days or more in Nigeria since 5 May 2014 should provide a polio vaccination certificate, ideally at lodgement and again at the panel physician appointment, or the case officer may request it and delay the application.
Form 80 (Personal particulars for assessment including character) (before) — Source: Department of Home Affairs – Forms (Form 80 / Form 1221)
Detailed 10-year history of addresses, travel, education and employment. Not always requested at lodgement, but commonly requested by case officers for applicants from Nigeria; preparing it in advance (with Form 1221 if asked) reduces processing delays.
Relationship and family unit evidence for dependents (before) — Source: Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) document checklist
Nigerian marriage certificate or registry/customary marriage evidence (or de facto relationship evidence such as joint accounts and cohabitation proof), children's birth certificates, and — for dependents aged 18+ — financial dependency evidence. Functional English evidence is also needed for each dependent aged 18 or over at lodgement, or the second-instalment VAC applies.
Visa grant notification letter (subclass 190) and initial entry date (during) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions
The electronic grant notice confirming permanent residence, visa grant number and the 'must make first entry before' date. Carry a printed copy plus a digital copy when travelling; Australia issues no visa label, and airlines/employers verify status electronically via VEVO.
Tax File Number (TFN) application (during) — Source: Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Apply online with the ATO once you have arrived and hold your permanent visa, using your passport/visa details; the TFN prevents being taxed at the highest marginal rate and is needed for employment and superannuation. If you already held a TFN on an earlier visa, keep the same number and update your details.
Medicare enrolment (identity and residency documents) (during) — Source: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/documents-to-enrol-medicare-if-youre-permanent-resident
Enrol with Services Australia online via myGov or at a service centre using your passport with the permanent visa record plus proof of Australian residential address; documents are needed for each family member and do not need to be certified. Permanent residents receive a green Medicare card, usually posted within a few weeks.
Australian bank account opening identity pack (during)
Passport, visa grant notice, TFN and Australian residential address details to satisfy 100-point identity checks for opening a transaction account for salary and rent. Requirements vary by bank; verify the accepted document combination with your chosen institution.
Nigerian driver's licence conversion / state driver licence application (after) — Source: Relevant state/territory road authority (e.g. Service NSW, VicRoads, TMR Queensland)
Present your valid FRSC-issued Nigerian driver's licence with passport and proof of address to the road authority in your nominated state or territory. Nigeria is not on the recognised-country list for direct conversion, so knowledge and practical driving tests are generally required; deadlines to convert after becoming a permanent resident differ by state — verify with the relevant state road authority.
Resident Return visa (subclass 155/157) for travel after five years (after) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/resident-return-visa-155-157
The subclass 190 visa's travel facility expires five years after grant. To re-enter Australia as a permanent resident after that, apply for a Resident Return visa with evidence of residence in Australia (or substantial ties) — important for holders who travel frequently to Nigeria.
Australian citizenship application evidence (residence, identity, police check) (after) — Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen/permanent-resident
After meeting the general residence requirement (usually four years lawful residence including 12 months as a permanent resident), lodge a citizenship by conferral application with identity documents, residence evidence and any required police checks. Retaining Nigerian citizenship alongside Australian citizenship is permitted under Nigerian law for citizens by birth, but confirm current rules with the Nigerian High Commission.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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