VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility
From→ToFind a corridor EN
☰

Malaysia → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Malaysia
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<GBMALAYSIA<UNITED<KINGDOM<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MY6<GB5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Migration from Malaysia to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

4,5009,00020122015
4,5009,00020122015
Data table
20126,000
20139,000
20146,000
20158,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——479
2022——486
2021—35,000374
2020——372
2019——552
2018—33,000623
2017—33,000640
2016—47,000904
20158,00035,000618
20146,00034,000829
20139,00035,0001,258
20126,00025,822864
2011—20,000826
2010—37,0001,026
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

34k69k19901995200020052010201520202024
34k69k19902000201020202024
Data table
199043,404
199546,293
200049,330
200557,519
201068,428
201568,963
202067,838
202466,932
Estimate, 2024
66,932
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.57%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
32
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 Malaysia, and students from Malaysia at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Study4,882
  2. Work1,094
  3. Other195
  4. Family150
  5. Visitor95

Visas issued by year

6,12012k201020122014201620182020202220242025
6,12012k201020132016201920222025
Data table
20108,606
20118,914
20129,443
201311,522
201412,240
201511,597
20169,886
20179,243
20189,142
20199,157
20205,049
20218,029
20229,587
20238,557
20247,185
20256,416

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

8,73517k20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
8,73517k201520172019202120232025
Data table
201517,100
201617,470
201716,460
201815,295
201914,115
202013,475
202111,475
202212,110
202312,980
202412,730
202511,760
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 Malaysia (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
20190055214,094
20188,065062314,950
20179,002064016,350
20169,124090417,360
201510,656062417,011
201411,075082915,583
201310,46501,25713,322
20128,70208620
20118,57708260
20108,26701,0260
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 Malaysia move (OECD, 2023).

Other destinations for people from Malaysia, 2023
  1. Australia3,534
  2. South Korea3,300
  3. New Zealand2,502
  4. Japan2,313
  5. United States1,150
  6. Germany1,034
  7. Canada380
  8. Netherlands355
  9. Türkiye254
  10. Switzerland162
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