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Iraq → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Iraq
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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IQ4<GB5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Migration from Iraq to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

1,5003,00020122015
1,5003,00020122015
Data table
20123,000
20133,000
20141,000
20151,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——2,522
2022——1,657
2021—20,0001,648
2020——658
2019——1,030
2018—22,000959
2017—50,000836
2016—28,0001,377
20151,00041,0001,640
20141,00034,0001,639
20133,00052,0002,393
20123,00026,0003,822
2011—33,0005,741
2010—34,0004,385
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

50k99k19901995200020052010201520202024
50k99k19902000201020202024
Data table
199014,301
199520,986
200030,318
200546,088
201071,037
201582,532
202091,917
202499,203
Estimate, 2024
99,203
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.84%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
30
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 Iraq, and students from Iraq at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor12,238
  2. Family2,537
  3. Study635
  4. Other474
  5. Work227

Visas issued by year

8,05616k201020122014201620182020202220242025
8,05616k201020132016201920222025
Data table
20106,895
20119,673
20129,996
201312,867
201411,463
20154,971
20164,573
20175,699
20186,249
20198,275
20203,430
20215,841
202210,452
202313,783
202415,821
202516,111

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

1,3052,61020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,3052,610201520172019202120232025
Data table
20152,610
20162,205
20171,400
2018765
2019465
2020420
2021430
2022610
2023720
2024655
2025640
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 Iraq (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019001,030476
20181,8160959776
20172,19208361,394
20161,61401,3772,256
20152,38601,6392,593
20143,69101,6392,319
20134,22302,3921,809
20122,87503,8220
20112,71005,7410
20101,91004,3850
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 Iraq, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyBaghdadgov.uk
ConsulateErbilgov.uk
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

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

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