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Iraq → Belgium

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Iraq
To
Belgium
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
600
Change since 2018
-57.2%
Share of all arrivals in Belgium, 2023
0.39%
Inflow 2023600OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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IQ4<BE9<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Migration from Iraq to Belgium

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

Inflows by year

4,0658,129200820112014201720202023
4,0658,129200820112014201720202023
Data table
2008242
2009359
20101,326
20112,429
2012924
2013585
20141,067
20158,129
20161,514
20171,720
20181,402
20191,048
2020544
2021677
2022669
2023600
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—10,242—
202360011,7011,829
202266913,1412,001
202167714,9041,891
202054416,833888
20191,04815,689759
20181,40215,382672
20171,72015,450930
20161,51416,173655
20158,1297,771546
20141,0677,050377
20135857,519612
20129247,682397
20112,4296,399184
20101,3263,308322
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

12k25k19901995200020052010201520202024
12k25k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990556
1995912
20001,493
20052,446
20106,770
201515,603
202021,276
202424,557
Estimate, 2024
24,557
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.0%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
19
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 Belgium

First residence permits issued by Belgium to citizens of Iraq (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family236
  2. Other reasons230
  3. Work5
  4. Education4
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025475000
202455701,49957
202360201,82973
202258602,00183
202160901,89198
2020691188893
20191,020075996
20181,589067247
20172,665093050
20163,731065555
20151,501054619
2014951037721
2013592061229
20121,14903970
20111,54701840
20101,17903220
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)2
  2. Other paid activities2
  3. Researchers1
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
6,661
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
680
Changed status into work, 2025
1
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 Belgium, 2023; Iraq ranks 42.

Inflows to Belgium, 2023
  1. Romania12,889
  2. Ukraine11,972
  3. France11,830
  4. Netherlands7,385
  5. Spain6,420
  6. Morocco6,155
  7. Türkiye6,119
  8. Italy5,642
  9. Syria5,496
  10. Portugal4,398
  11. Palestine4,001
  12. Afghanistan3,934
Other destinations for people from Iraq, 2023
  1. Germany14,775
  2. Türkiye7,673
  3. United States3,690
  4. Canada2,335
  5. Netherlands1,354
  6. Sweden1,134
  7. Finland860
  8. Italy783
  9. Australia642
  10. France609
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