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South Africa → Austria

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
Austria
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
163
Change since 2018
+27.3%
Share of all arrivals in Austria, 2023
0.09%
Inflow 2023163OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from South Africa to Austria

Inflows of nationals of South Africa recorded by Austria; stock of nationals of South Africa living there; and acquisitions of Austria's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

84167200020032006200920122015201820212023
841672000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200083
200172
2002124
200372
200496
200571
200694
200767
200865
200975
201075
201144
201261
201370
201465
201599
201695
2017112
2018128
2019152
2020130
2021167
2022150
2023163
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—1,082—
20231631,01640
202215096435
202116786344
20201307809
201915269714
201812864919
201711260012
20169556615
20159951717
20146551716
20137049719
2012614877
20114450113
20107548512
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in South Africa who live in Austria: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

1,8553,71019901995200020052010201520202024
1,8553,71019902000201020202024
Data table
19901,250
19951,525
20001,829
20052,171
20102,323
20152,471
20203,122
20243,710
Estimate, 2024
3,710
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.16%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
43
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

Austria's consulates in South Africa

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Austria's consulates located in South Africa.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
20245,6065,2843205.7%
20235,1144,9321763.4%
20225,5525,3011853.3%
20211,044895858.1%
20201,1031,010121.1%
20196,6636,5441191.8%
20186,4125,6151292.0%
20177,5666,690921.2%
20165,5184,843490.9%
20156,3335,511570.9%
20146,2266,182420.7%
20136,6815,7151091.6%
20126,1916,132591.0%
20115,9605,897631.1%
20106,6086,60440.1%
20095,5175,506110.2%

Applications by year

3,7837,5662009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
3,7837,566200920122015201820212024
Data table
20095,517
20106,608
20115,960
20126,191
20136,681
20146,226
20156,333
20165,518
20177,566
20186,412
20196,663
20201,103
20211,044
20225,552
20235,114
20245,606
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Austria

First residence permits issued by Austria to citizens of South Africa (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family55
  2. Work37
  3. Education15
  4. Other reasons7
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
20251141200
2024128152080
2023141142392
202211151987
202111321577
2020984965
201912931459
201810331965
20179721267
20166801588
20157121778
20145001675
20134411951
201246070
2011380130
2010630120
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities13
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)12
  3. EU Blue Card10
  4. Researchers2
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
968
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
79
Changed status into work, 2025
6
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
14
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Austria: national statistics office

Migration of citizens of South Africa to and from Austria (Statistik Austria).

YearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
20251318843
20241488464
20231637192
20221508169
202116748119
20201304783
20191525498
20181285573
20171123973
2016954352
2015993663
2014654718
2013702743
2012614219
20114445-1
2010754431

Immigration by year

841672002200420062008201020122014201620182020202220242025
841672002200620102014201820222025
Data table
2002124
200372
200496
200571
200694
200767
200865
200975
201075
201144
201261
201370
201465
201599
201695
2017112
2018128
2019152
2020130
2021167
2022150
2023163
2024148
2025131
Source: Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Austria in South Africa, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyPretoriabmeia.gv.at
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Austria, 2023; South Africa ranks 71.

Inflows to Austria, 2023
  1. Germany19,774
  2. Romania19,252
  3. Ukraine15,739
  4. Syria15,246
  5. Hungary14,723
  6. Croatia7,917
  7. Türkiye7,595
  8. Serbia5,362
  9. Bulgaria4,883
  10. Italy4,695
  11. Poland4,477
  12. Bosnia and Herzegovina4,405
Other destinations for people from South Africa, 2023
  1. New Zealand8,667
  2. Australia5,217
  3. Netherlands4,201
  4. United States3,180
  5. Germany1,478
  6. South Korea1,468
  7. Portugal773
  8. Japan629
  9. France303
  10. Belgium302
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