VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility
From→ToFind a corridor EN
☰

Afghanistan → Canada

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Afghanistan
To
Canada
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
20,180
Change since 2018
+466.9%
Share of all arrivals in Canada, 2023
4.31%
Inflow 202320,180OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<CAAFGHANISTAN<CANADA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
AF5<CA4<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

Migration from Afghanistan to Canada

Inflows of nationals of Afghanistan recorded by Canada; stock of nationals of Afghanistan living there; and acquisitions of Canada's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

12k24k200020032006200920122015201820212023
12k24k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20002,845
20013,182
20022,971
20033,479
20042,978
20053,436
20063,009
20072,652
20082,110
20091,745
20101,758
20112,203
20122,635
20132,003
20141,489
20152,587
20162,635
20173,455
20183,560
20193,900
20201,660
20218,570
202223,750
202320,180
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
202320,180—4,182
202223,750—3,974
20218,57020,4251,117
20201,660—853
20193,900—1,980
20183,560—1,342
20173,455—1,186
20162,63516,4851,596
20152,587—1,873
20141,489—2,146
20132,003—1,152
20122,635—1,194
20112,20312,5301,608
20101,758—1,534
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Afghanistan who live in Canada: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

35k70k19901995200020052010201520202024
35k70k19902000201020202024
Data table
19904,569
19959,703
200019,294
200534,519
201041,106
201551,688
202060,868
202470,392
Estimate, 2024
70,392
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.80%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
33
Counted by
country of birth
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Canadian permits

Work and study permits, new permanent residents and Express Entry invitations for citizens of Afghanistan (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry
20250151258,2150
202408514012,2850
202305015020,1800
202204517523,7450
202105708,5650
202000751,6555
201900853,8900
201805703,5605
201700903,4600
2016001052,6550
201500902,6250

Study permits by year

8817520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
88175201520172019202120232025
Data table
201590
2016105
201790
201870
201985
202075
202170
2022175
2023150
2024140
2025125
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Canada in Afghanistan, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyKabulinternational.gc.ca
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Canada, 2023; Afghanistan ranks 4.

Inflows to Canada, 2023
  1. India139,785
  2. China39,350
  3. Philippines26,965
  4. Afghanistan20,180
  5. Nigeria17,465
  6. Pakistan11,860
  7. Cameroon11,685
  8. Iran10,680
  9. Eritrea10,680
  10. United States10,640
  11. France10,075
  12. Syria9,345
Other destinations for people from Afghanistan, 2023
  1. Germany58,482
  2. United States35,630
  3. Türkiye12,732
  4. France10,974
  5. Australia4,275
  6. Belgium3,934
  7. Austria3,530
  8. Switzerland3,466
  9. Sweden3,125
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more