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Ghana → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Ghana
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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GH3<GB5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Migration from Ghana to the United Kingdom

Inflows of nationals of Ghana recorded by the United Kingdom; stock of nationals of Ghana living there; and acquisitions of the United Kingdom's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

1,0002,00020122015
1,0002,00020122015
Data table
20121,000
20131,000
20141,000
20152,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——3,242
2022——2,732
2021—57,0002,303
2020——2,415
2019——2,719
2018—32,0003,179
2017—47,0002,591
2016—38,0003,562
20152,00031,0002,978
20141,00037,0003,138
20131,00048,0004,676
20121,00035,8794,744
2011—45,0003,935
2010—47,0004,550
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

77k155k19901995200020052010201520202024
77k155k19902000201020202024
Data table
199030,910
199540,880
200053,658
200570,262
201092,044
2015112,694
2020136,606
2024154,782
Estimate, 2024
154,782
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.3%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
20
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

UK visas

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Ghana, and students from Ghana at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor26,312
  2. Study4,886
  3. Work3,847
  4. Family1,778
  5. Other1,106

Visas issued by year

33k67k201020122014201620182020202220242025
33k67k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201021,080
201123,577
201224,186
201321,010
201418,534
201518,876
201617,425
201718,158
201821,840
201927,845
20208,910
202116,297
202235,952
202366,659
202443,071
202537,929

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

2,8635,72520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,8635,725201520172019202120232025
Data table
20151,480
20161,410
20171,580
20181,545
20191,820
20202,210
20212,605
20223,750
20234,820
20245,725
20255,095
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0; HESA, Table 28: Non-UK permanent address students (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 24 Oct 2026

Residence permits in the United Kingdom

First residence permits issued by the United Kingdom to citizens of Ghana (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019002,7191,811
20184,29703,1791,472
20174,45302,5921,526
20163,89403,5621,389
20154,07302,9721,490
20144,57303,1341,706
20134,30004,6691,970
20124,31304,7400
20115,94803,9290
20105,41204,5490
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

Where else people from Ghana move (OECD, 2023).

Other destinations for people from Ghana, 2023
  1. United States8,160
  2. Germany5,066
  3. Spain2,506
  4. Italy1,657
  5. Canada1,645
  6. Netherlands797
  7. Belgium506
  8. Japan363
  9. Australia362
  10. Sweden262
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