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Kenya → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Kenya
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Data as at 2025
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KE2<GB5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Migration from Kenya to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

1,0002,0002015
1,0002,0002015
Data table
20152,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——803
2022——826
2021——678
2020——794
2019——951
2018—15,000955
2017—14,000845
2016—17,0001,199
20152,00017,000978
2014—13,0001,050
2013—20,0001,528
2012—20,3261,780
2011—10,0001,589
2010—17,0001,902
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

70k140k19901995200020052010201520202024
70k140k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990111,254
1995119,424
2000128,179
2005134,123
2010139,811
2015139,658
2020138,636
2024137,817
Estimate, 2024
137,817
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.2%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
24
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 Kenya, and students from Kenya at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor13,850
  2. Work4,079
  3. Study2,741
  4. Other491
  5. Family377

Visas issued by year

12k24k201020122014201620182020202220242025
12k24k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201013,990
201114,199
201213,706
201313,991
201415,188
201515,185
201614,498
201716,410
201816,778
201915,935
20204,965
20215,965
202220,138
202324,071
202422,300
202521,538

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

2,1854,37020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,1854,370201520172019202120232025
Data table
20152,245
20162,165
20172,150
20182,180
20192,260
20202,410
20212,520
20222,700
20233,120
20243,645
20254,370
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 Kenya (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019009512,266
20181,77709552,190
20171,86808452,154
20161,86801,1992,173
20151,80209752,212
20141,89001,0492,155
20131,70101,5242,160
20121,76301,7780
20111,90601,5890
20102,27901,9020
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

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

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