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Sierra Leone → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Sierra Leone
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Sierra Leone to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

5001,0002012
5001,0002012
Data table
20121,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——462
2022——405
2021——558
2020——224
2019——394
2018——390
2017—12,000332
2016——499
2015——472
2014—10,000434
2013—12,000757
20121,000—1,063
2011——843
2010——1,022
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

UK visas

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Sierra Leone, and students from Sierra Leone at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor1,648
  2. Family185
  3. Study122
  4. Other59
  5. Work38

Visas issued by year

1,6383,275201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,6383,275201020132016201920222025
Data table
20103,275
20112,580
20122,421
20132,489
20142,338
20151,908
20161,975
20172,061
20182,085
20192,504
2020809
20211,038
20222,241
20232,517
20242,399
20252,052

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

5811520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
58115201520172019202120232025
Data table
2015100
2016105
2017100
201890
201985
202080
2021115
2022105
202385
2024100
2025110
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 Sierra Leone (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
201900394143
20183310390116
20173780332141
20163380499153
20153480475138
20144000434123
20134800757128
201233301,0630
201151308420
201058501,0220
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 Sierra Leone move (OECD, 2023).

Other destinations for people from Sierra Leone, 2023
  1. United States1,790
  2. Germany964
  3. Italy327
  4. France257
  5. Belgium204
  6. Netherlands130
  7. Canada105
  8. Hungary51
  9. Australia48
  10. Japan39
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