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South Africa → Canada

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
Canada
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
1,745
Change since 2018
-4.1%
Share of all arrivals in Canada, 2023
0.37%
Inflow 20231,745OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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ZA5<CA4<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

Migration from South Africa to Canada

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

Inflows by year

1,0452,090200020032006200920122015201820212022
1,0452,0902000200420082012201620202022
Data table
20001,953
20012,090
20021,631
20031,245
20041,175
2005988
20061,111
20071,200
20081,122
20091,188
20101,238
2011959
20121,242
20131,238
20141,001
2015960
20161,075
20171,570
20181,820
20191,790
20201,125
20211,620
20221,745
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——2,664
20221,745—2,513
20211,62011,660869
20201,125—555
20191,790—1,474
20181,820—1,237
20171,570—562
20161,0757,910817
2015960—1,504
20141,001—1,265
20131,238—696
20121,242—690
20119598,0601,180
20101,238—813
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 Canada: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

26k53k19901995200020052010201520202024
26k53k19902000201020202024
Data table
199023,897
199528,514
200033,976
200537,929
201042,621
201547,223
202050,957
202452,600
Estimate, 2024
52,600
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.60%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
38
Counted by
country of birth
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Canadian permits

Work and study permits, new permanent residents and Express Entry invitations for citizens of South Africa (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry
20255259807451,100100
20246401,1707801,585220
20236101,3509402,065320
20224801,1959101,740195
20212951,0858401,610325
20202107504251,120370
20193758505001,795500
20183206803701,815475
20173306053701,555670
20163706503451,070280
2015370550290940190

Study permits by year

47094020152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
470940201520172019202120232025
Data table
2015290
2016345
2017370
2018370
2019500
2020425
2021840
2022910
2023940
2024780
2025745
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Canada, 2023; South Africa ranks 197.

Inflows to Canada, 2023
  1. India139,785
  2. China39,350
  3. Philippines26,965
  4. Afghanistan20,180
  5. Nigeria17,465
  6. Pakistan11,860
  7. Cameroon11,685
  8. Iran10,680
  9. Eritrea10,680
  10. United States10,640
  11. France10,075
  12. Syria9,345
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