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Kenya → Sweden

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Kenya
To
Sweden
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
207
Change since 2018
+10.7%
Share of all arrivals in Sweden, 2023
0.27%
Inflow 2023207OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<SEKENYA<SWEDEN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
KE2<SE8<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Migration from Kenya to Sweden

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

Inflows by year

118235200020032006200920122015201820212023
1182352000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200086
200162
200274
200368
200477
2005109
2006109
2007126
2008137
2009163
2010161
2011200
2012197
2013206
2014235
2015193
2016175
2017225
2018187
2019163
2020154
2021188
2022180
2023207
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—1,481—
20232071,491154
20221801,556250
20211881,527150
20201541,578179
20191631,53697
20181871,567200
20172251,513174
20161751,435136
20151931,354111
20142351,235119
20132061,162111
20121971,08895
201120096969
201016190170
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Sweden's consulates in Kenya

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Sweden's consulates located in Kenya.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
202414,3819,1824,55631.7%
202313,3748,9574,27031.9%
202212,9737,8324,69836.2%
202198049546647.6%
202027211616359.9%
20191,6111,16639324.4%
20181,8171,27846525.6%
20171,6201,10233720.8%
20161,7431,08744525.5%
20151,5801,04247730.2%
20141,5861,19024415.4%
20131,3131,02316012.2%
2012735591719.7%
20111,42898734324.0%
20101,4601,21619613.4%
20091,3941,12819614.1%

Applications by year

7,19114k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
7,19114k200920122015201820212024
Data table
20091,394
20101,460
20111,428
2012735
20131,313
20141,586
20151,580
20161,743
20171,620
20181,817
20191,611
2020272
2021980
202212,973
202313,374
202414,381
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Sweden

First residence permits issued by Sweden to citizens of Kenya (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family137
  2. Education64
  3. Other reasons19
  4. Work11
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025231100
2024292090108
20232770154102
20222830250100
2021248015089
2020215017986
2019264097101
2018280020089
2017279017460
2016269013936
2015269011476
2014327011941
2013270011249
20122610970
20112720690
20102340720
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)5
  2. Other paid activities4
  3. EU Blue Card1
  4. Researchers1
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
1,529
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
97
Changed status into work, 2025
8
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Sweden: national statistics office

Immigrations of citizens of Kenya to Sweden, by grounds for settlement (Statistics Sweden).

YearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
20252031438129139
2024179153311579
202320719371261411
2022180283395420
202118811331121418
2020154723100717
2019163232010569
201818716301161114
20172251032155199
20161758191261111
2015193810141277
201423573717588
2013206512171108
2012197812158514
20112007141472111
20101617121201210

All by year

11823520052007200920112013201520172019202120232025
118235200520092013201720212025
Data table
2005109
2006109
2007126
2008137
2009163
2010161
2011200
2012197
2013206
2014235
2015193
2016175
2017225
2018187
2019163
2020154
2021188
2022180
2023207
2024179
2025203
Source: SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0)Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Sweden in Kenya, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyNairobiswedenabroad.se
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Sweden, 2023; Kenya ranks 71.

Inflows to Sweden, 2023
  1. India7,461
  2. Poland4,493
  3. Germany3,819
  4. Afghanistan3,125
  5. China2,617
  6. Syria2,515
  7. Pakistan2,383
  8. Romania2,216
  9. Iran1,944
  10. Italy1,842
  11. Denmark1,790
  12. Türkiye1,719
Other destinations for people from Kenya, 2023
  1. United States4,840
  2. Germany1,786
  3. Canada1,230
  4. Australia938
  5. Japan520
  6. Netherlands361
  7. Finland359
  8. Türkiye342
  9. Italy238
  10. Hungary227
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