19 Sep 2024
Moving to a new country can fill your life with exciting experiences and offer many new opportunities to enjoy. In any case, one needs always to be keen on personal and online security. Nigerian migrants must know about local safety and life in Ireland. One must put safety measures in place to protect them from risks. These include getting familiar with a new city and online financial transactions; you may also want to send money online to Nigeria from Ireland to your family. In this article, let’s discuss some essential tips on how Nigerian migrants would be safe in Ireland.
Ireland is also ranked by the Global Peace Index as one of the safest countries in the world, over recent years having reached number 2 in 2024. All countries have their own issues. There is nowhere that is truly safe anyway. But to the Nigerian immigrant, it could be one or some culture shock factor, limited scope and comprehension of local rules/laws, cyber scamming opportunities etc. When you move to Ireland, it is essential that you know how to stay safe when online and offline.
The most effective method of ensuring your safety in Ireland is simply to have a firm grasp on local laws, and culture. Irish law takes very firm stances on things like drug possession, drunk driving, and public disturbances, so familiarise your-self with what you can and can't do. Even for minor offenses, fines can be given, including jaywalking or failure to wear a seatbelt. Being an immigrant, it is good to keep yourself abreast of the recent regulations; you would not want one wrong move adding to your intricacy of immigration status.
Tip: The Ireland's Citizens Information website provides comprehensive independent information on legal rights, entitlements, and obligations in Ireland, along with information on public services.
Financial security is important to a Nigerian migrant; this is so because you have to constantly send money to the family back at home. Scams and frauds, most especially those targeting migrants, are very common in Ireland. This includes phishing scams, whereby fraudsters attempt to obtain your personal bank details. Always use caution whenever giving out your personal information online, especially when send money to Nigeria from Ireland through an online platform. When using online money transfer services, always try to use established companies.
Incident Insight: The European Union Agency for Cyber security reported that phishing scams tripled across Europe. It listed migrants among the key targets of the fraud.
As a matter of fact, one of the common practices among Nigerian migrants is to send money home. The thing is, not all these money transfer services are created equally. You want to find a service you can have a great level of trust in when it comes to getting your cash to its final destination safely. Always double-check the recipient's details before confirming a transaction. Be wary of unsolicited emails or calls seeking to get your financial information or want to give you "special" exchange rates for money transfer from Ireland to Nigeria.
Tip: Only use official money transfer platforms. When the deal seems too good to be true, then most likely, it isn't. Scammers tend to target migrant communities with attractive, fraudulent offers.
Moreover, you need to make sure that your key documents like a passport, visa, and residence permits are well kept, as losing these will create lots of inconveniences, including a legal headache. Keep original documents always in a safe place, like in a drawer that can be locked or in a safe. Store the digital copies securely in the cloud so that you have access to them in case of an emergency.
Report it to the local authorities immediately, in case of stolen or lost documents. It is also recommended that you report this to your embassy, as they will assist in replacing such important documents.
Ireland is generally a safe country; however, neighbourhoods differ as it would be in every country, and there are occasions when a particular neighbourhood experiences more crimes compared to others.
When commuting, use your surroundings more, especially while using late-night public transports. Also, keep your valuables as close to you as possible. Similarly, avoid manifestations of affluence such as expensive phones or jewellery when using any form of public transport as this might flag you as a potential target of pickpocketing.
Tips: The website Safe Ireland provides figures of the local crimes and tips to stay safe in urban areas.
Building a network of support through the Nigerian community in Ireland can add additional layers of safety. Similarly, the community associations and social groups would be excellent avenues for advice and support since they could help a new immigrant through the challenges that come with living abroad. The communities also advise on which neighbourhoods are safer, what services are available and can be trusted, and how to live daily life in Ireland comfortably.
Fact: It is estimated that there are over 20,000 Nigerians living in Ireland at the moment, and some of the vibrant Nigerian organisations are based in the key cities of Dublin and Cork. Such organisations in general organise social activities and legal and safety advice events specifically linked to migrants.
The Irish government updates the health and safety regulations concerning COVID-19 or, indeed, other public emergencies from time to time. A Nigerian migrant should be up to date with the latest health advisories, public restrictions, and vaccination campaigns. You are sure to get accurate and timely information on official channels, including Gov.ie and HSE.ie.
Additionally, it is good to obtain health insurance during your stay in Ireland. This way, it will cover the medical expenses that are necessary when one falls ill or gets injured to avoid problems while receiving quality health care. According to the HSE, 2023 saw more than 98% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. For your safety, keep yourself updated about all public health measures.
Generally, Ireland is a friendly and safe country to migrate to, but it is equally worthwhile to acquire knowledge, keep a watchful eye out, and take proactive action in the interest of personal safety-from financial security to acquainting oneself with the law of the land.
Whether it is negotiating the complication of making an online money transfer from Ireland to Nigeria or settling into a new community, following these simple security tips will keep you safe. By being online-cautious, connecting with the local Nigerian communities, and having an idea about the surroundings, one can make the most out of the new life in Ireland while keeping safe and secure.
You will need your passport, a valid Italian residence permit, proof of address, and a tax identification number (Codice Fiscale).
No, you typically need to be a resident in Italy to open a bank account. Some banks may have exceptions, but residence is generally required.
Yes, many banks in Italy offer online account opening services, but you may still need to visit a branch in person to provide identification and complete the process.
The process usually takes about one to two weeks, depending on the bank and how quickly you can provide all the required documents.
