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Iran → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Iran
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Iran to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

5001,00020122014
5001,00020122014
Data table
20121,000
20141,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——5,114
2022——4,600
2021—37,0004,800
2020——2,342
2019——2,960
2018—32,0002,854
2017—31,0001,797
2016—33,0002,097
2015—44,0001,518
20141,00042,0001,542
2013—35,0002,389
20121,00033,0004,135
2011—40,0005,539
2010—39,0002,587
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

62k124k19901995200020052010201520202024
62k124k19902000201020202024
Data table
199031,600
199536,268
200041,505
200556,842
201080,720
201596,383
2020112,117
2024124,200
Estimate, 2024
124,200
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.0%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
27
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 Iran, and students from Iran at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor9,078
  2. Family3,054
  3. Study1,541
  4. Work1,290
  5. Other109

Visas issued by year

14k27k201020122014201620182020202220242025
14k27k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201023,630
201127,149
201211,377
201310,639
201410,174
201510,613
201610,998
201713,816
201812,671
201913,086
20205,892
20218,208
202215,580
202320,462
202419,861
202515,072

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

2,1904,38020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,1904,380201520172019202120232025
Data table
20151,835
20161,520
20171,445
20181,485
20191,455
20201,520
20211,740
20222,290
20233,500
20244,380
20253,465
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 Iran (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019002,9601,483
20183,09802,8541,464
20174,28201,7971,411
20162,81502,0971,522
20153,95801,5191,842
20143,21801,5422,082
20133,30202,3892,650
20124,01304,1350
20115,31105,5390
20104,79002,5870
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of the United Kingdom in Iran, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyDistrict 12gov.uk
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

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

Other destinations for people from Iran, 2023
  1. Germany23,352
  2. Türkiye14,495
  3. Canada10,680
  4. United States8,790
  5. Italy4,318
  6. Australia3,651
  7. Netherlands3,481
  8. Austria2,650
  9. Denmark2,166
  10. 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