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Afghanistan → Switzerland

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Afghanistan
To
Switzerland
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
3,466
Change since 2018
+207.8%
Share of all arrivals in Switzerland, 2023
1.94%
Inflow 20233,466OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Afghanistan to Switzerland

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

Inflows by year

1,7333,466201020132016201920222023
1,7333,466201020132016201920222023
Data table
2010245
2011175
2012267
2013295
2014490
2015513
2016510
2017854
20181,126
20191,001
20201,000
20212,419
20223,000
20233,466
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—16,359—
20233,46612,877160
20223,0009,829109
20212,4197,412110
20201,0006,40094
20191,0015,440148
20181,1264,411167
20178543,605143
20165103,180140
20155132,784145
20144902,361118
20132952,196—
20122672,048—
20111752,048—
2010245——
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

12k24k19901995200020052010201520202024
12k24k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990520
1995837
20001,350
20052,250
20103,637
20156,874
202016,224
202424,005
Estimate, 2024
24,005
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.87%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
26
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Switzerland

First residence permits issued by Switzerland to citizens of Afghanistan (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family557
  2. Other reasons164
  3. Work7
  4. Education3
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025731000
2024509016741
2023446016139
2022364011243
2021267011040
20200010527
20190015421
201885017315
20177301599
201675015410
2015100014010
2014106011810
2013281015110
201225601280
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities7
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
26,322
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
118
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Switzerland, 2023; Afghanistan ranks 12.

Inflows to Switzerland, 2023
  1. Germany26,211
  2. France19,955
  3. Italy19,497
  4. Portugal12,750
  5. Spain8,964
  6. Poland7,576
  7. Romania7,520
  8. Hungary4,175
  9. Türkiye3,788
  10. China3,526
  11. India3,514
  12. Afghanistan3,466
Other destinations for people from Afghanistan, 2023
  1. Germany58,482
  2. United States35,630
  3. Canada20,180
  4. Türkiye12,732
  5. France10,974
  6. Australia4,275
  7. Belgium3,934
  8. Austria3,530
  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