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Somalia → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Somalia
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Data as at 2025
CR<GBSOMALIA<UNITED<KINGDOM<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
SO8<GB5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Migration from Somalia to the United Kingdom

Inflows of nationals of Somalia recorded by the United Kingdom; stock of nationals of Somalia 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——1,898
2022——1,580
2021—20,0001,379
2020——1,973
2019——2,538
2018—52,0002,745
2017—33,0002,081
2016—39,0002,652
2015—43,0002,213
2014—40,0002,106
2013—48,0005,688
20121,00035,6615,140
2011—53,0004,660
2010—71,0005,814
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

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

Migrant population by year

60k120k1995200020052010201520202024
60k120k1995200520152024
Data table
19958,528
200038,752
200561,984
201097,125
2015108,244
2020114,673
2024119,728
Estimate, 2024
119,728
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.0%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
28
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 Somalia, and students from Somalia at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Other958
  2. Family662
  3. Visitor367
  4. Study127
  5. Work23

Visas issued by year

1,5623,124201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,5623,124201020132016201920222025
Data table
20102,890
20112,039
20121,570
20131,534
20141,120
2015727
2016827
20171,145
20181,390
20192,170
20201,235
20212,577
20222,606
20232,964
20243,124
20252,137

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

285520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2855201520172019202120232025
Data table
201515
20165
201720
201810
201915
202020
202110
202220
202330
202440
202555
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 Somalia (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019002,53840
20181,03202,74539
201795002,08139
201679802,65227
201578402,21733
201499802,10647
20131,59305,68875
20121,50705,1400
20111,86304,6600
20102,63105,8140
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 the United Kingdom in Somalia, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyMogadishugov.uk
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

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

Other destinations for people from Somalia, 2023
  1. Germany6,720
  2. Canada5,170
  3. France1,734
  4. Netherlands1,453
  5. United States1,450
  6. Austria1,248
  7. Türkiye1,026
  8. Belgium862
  9. Italy785
  10. Finland645
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