Iran → Canada
Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows
- From
- Iran
- To
- Canada
- Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
- 10,680
- Change since 2018
- +93.8%
- Share of all arrivals in Canada, 2023
- 2.28%
Inflow 202310,680OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Iran to Canada
Inflows of nationals of Iran recorded by Canada; stock of nationals of Iran living there; and acquisitions of Canada's nationality (OECD).
Inflows by year
Data table
| 2000 | 5,617 |
| 2001 | 5,746 |
| 2002 | 7,889 |
| 2003 | 5,918 |
| 2004 | 6,348 |
| 2005 | 5,837 |
| 2006 | 7,480 |
| 2007 | 6,974 |
| 2008 | 6,474 |
| 2009 | 6,580 |
| 2010 | 7,477 |
| 2011 | 7,479 |
| 2012 | 7,525 |
| 2013 | 11,288 |
| 2014 | 16,772 |
| 2015 | 11,668 |
| 2016 | 6,485 |
| 2017 | 4,730 |
| 2018 | 5,510 |
| 2019 | 6,055 |
| 2020 | 3,815 |
| 2021 | 11,305 |
| 2022 | 11,110 |
| 2023 | 10,680 |
| Year | Inflow | Stock | Acquired nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10,680 | — | 10,748 |
| 2022 | 11,110 | — | 13,084 |
| 2021 | 11,305 | 65,170 | 4,853 |
| 2020 | 3,815 | — | 4,887 |
| 2019 | 6,055 | — | 14,041 |
| 2018 | 5,510 | — | 10,037 |
| 2017 | 4,730 | — | 3,523 |
| 2016 | 6,485 | 52,185 | 3,927 |
| 2015 | 11,668 | — | 8,959 |
| 2014 | 16,772 | — | 9,357 |
| 2013 | 11,288 | — | 3,337 |
| 2012 | 7,525 | — | 3,506 |
| 2011 | 7,479 | 35,610 | 4,923 |
| 2010 | 7,477 | — | 3,585 |
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023
Migrant population
People born in Iran who live in Canada: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).
Migrant population by year
Data table
| 1990 | 27,795 |
| 1995 | 43,551 |
| 2000 | 66,938 |
| 2005 | 89,641 |
| 2010 | 119,904 |
| 2015 | 154,303 |
| 2020 | 178,830 |
| 2024 | 205,304 |
- Estimate, 2024
- 205,304
- Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
- 2.3%
- Rank among countries of birth, 2024
- 7
- 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 Iran (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP work | IMP work | Study | Permanent residents | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 495 | 32,565 | 9,545 | 7,435 | 1,585 |
| 2024 | 520 | 44,860 | 11,310 | 11,145 | 1,950 |
| 2023 | 965 | 51,260 | 15,215 | 10,690 | 2,235 |
| 2022 | 455 | 9,330 | 13,900 | 11,110 | 1,075 |
| 2021 | 285 | 8,395 | 12,470 | 11,310 | 1,720 |
| 2020 | 205 | 4,960 | 7,485 | 3,815 | 1,555 |
| 2019 | 215 | 4,895 | 10,090 | 6,055 | 1,230 |
| 2018 | 120 | 3,025 | 7,280 | 5,505 | 1,030 |
| 2017 | 40 | 2,110 | 4,870 | 4,735 | 1,075 |
| 2016 | 45 | 1,975 | 3,120 | 6,465 | 400 |
| 2015 | 10 | 1,155 | 2,410 | 11,630 | 215 |
Study permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 2,410 |
| 2016 | 3,120 |
| 2017 | 4,870 |
| 2018 | 7,280 |
| 2019 | 10,090 |
| 2020 | 7,485 |
| 2021 | 12,470 |
| 2022 | 13,900 |
| 2023 | 15,215 |
| 2024 | 11,310 |
| 2025 | 9,545 |
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025
Compared with other corridors
Nationalities with the most arrivals in Canada, 2023; Iran ranks 8.
- India139,785
- China39,350
- Philippines26,965
- Afghanistan20,180
- Nigeria17,465
- Pakistan11,860
- Cameroon11,685
- Iran10,680
- Eritrea10,680
- United States10,640
- France10,075
- Syria9,345
- Germany23,352
- Türkiye14,495
- United States8,790
- Italy4,318
- Australia3,651
- Netherlands3,481
- Austria2,650
- Denmark2,166
- Sweden1,944
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