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Saudi Arabia → Italy

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Saudi Arabia
To
Italy
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
32
Change since 2018
+146.2%
Share of all arrivals in Italy, 2023
0.01%
Inflow 202332OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<ITSAUDI<ARABIA<ITALY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
SA6<IT3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Migration from Saudi Arabia to Italy

Inflows of nationals of Saudi Arabia recorded by Italy; stock of nationals of Saudi Arabia living there; and acquisitions of Italy's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

3365200020042007201020132016201920222023
33652000200520092013201720212023
Data table
20006
20026
200314
200456
200524
20069
20072
20085
200915
201032
201118
201219
201365
201419
201539
201622
201730
201813
201921
20204
202114
202225
202332
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—151—
2023321512
2022251425
20211473421
202041551
201921154—
201813168—
2017301581
201622152—
201539121—
201419135—
20136589—
201219552
201118751
201032733
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

7251,44919901995200020052010201520202024
7251,44919902000201020202024
Data table
1990240
1995327
2000430
2005562
2010757
2015966
20201,313
20241,449
Estimate, 2024
1,449
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.02%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
119
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

Italy's consulates in Saudi Arabia

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Italy's consulates located in Saudi Arabia.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
202450,41048,2302,0904.1%
202341,11339,5921,4593.5%
202236,74635,3051,4383.9%
20219,9689,4574634.6%
20204,4584,1902615.9%
201938,62636,3612,2445.8%
201835,01332,1942,7938.0%
201735,53832,8282,6947.6%
201641,05338,3432,6536.5%
201552,41750,4061,8323.5%
201470,63068,9299911.4%
201362,95660,8988391.3%
201248,75648,4393170.7%
201131,18031,0551250.4%
201030,28630,198880.3%
200923,06422,984800.3%

Applications by year

35k71k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
35k71k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200923,064
201030,286
201131,180
201248,756
201362,956
201470,630
201552,417
201641,053
201735,538
201835,013
201938,626
20204,458
20219,968
202236,746
202341,113
202450,410
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Italy

First residence permits issued by Italy to citizens of Saudi Arabia (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Education54
  2. Family11
  3. Other reasons8
  4. Work6
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
202579000
202410807265
20236102244
20225205207
2021141021167
20201901114
20197400168
20181540079
20171330155
2016760057
20153040045
20141230049
2013122000
2012131020
2011125010
2010178030
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities6
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
245
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
2
Changed status into work, 2025
1
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
1
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 Italy in Saudi Arabia, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyRiyadhambriad.esteri.it
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Italy, 2023; Saudi Arabia ranks 136.

Inflows to Italy, 2023
  1. Ukraine33,897
  2. Albania29,990
  3. Romania26,711
  4. Bangladesh25,969
  5. Egypt21,409
  6. Morocco20,928
  7. Pakistan20,402
  8. Argentina17,065
  9. Brazil15,000
  10. India13,691
  11. Tunisia12,609
  12. Peru11,336
Other destinations for people from Saudi Arabia, 2023
  1. Türkiye1,048
  2. Japan552
  3. Australia550
  4. United States520
  5. Germany465
  6. South Korea428
  7. Canada235
  8. Switzerland230
  9. Netherlands125
  10. France118
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