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South Africa → Italy

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
Italy
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
132
Change since 2018
+63.0%
Share of all arrivals in Italy, 2023
0.04%
Inflow 2023132OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from South Africa to Italy

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

Inflows by year

74147200020042007201020132016201920222023
741472000200520092013201720212023
Data table
200076
200273
200366
2004147
200578
200655
200751
200899
200977
201069
201159
201273
201397
2014106
201561
201659
201784
201881
201982
202066
2021118
2022102
2023132
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—845—
202313276918
202210270619
202111876913
20206665812
2019826318
20188160323
20178458311
20165954920
20156159421
201410655220
20139753131
20127346327
20115955821
20106958583
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 Italy: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

3,1236,24519901995200020052010201520202024
3,1236,24519902000201020202024
Data table
19903,807
19954,219
20004,512
20054,818
20105,179
20155,429
20205,960
20246,245
Estimate, 2024
6,245
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.10%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
78
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 South Africa

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

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
202432,07030,9431,1263.5%
202333,38532,4639222.8%
202226,73025,5301,2004.5%
20212,8662,7201465.1%
20206,2205,44177912.5%
201943,98242,3261,6533.8%
201844,29843,0301,2682.9%
201739,93438,6331,3013.3%
201633,75433,1585961.8%
201540,26939,7495041.3%
201433,97933,5103691.1%
201336,97836,6631910.5%
201235,90235,6452570.7%
201134,32634,1781480.4%
201027,83127,6661660.6%
200921,93221,7791530.7%

Applications by year

22k44k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
22k44k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200921,932
201027,831
201134,326
201235,902
201336,978
201433,979
201540,269
201633,754
201739,934
201844,298
201943,982
20206,220
20212,866
202226,730
202333,385
202432,070
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 South Africa (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family64
  2. Education47
  3. Other reasons24
  4. Work24
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025159500
2024135319155
2023139618173
2022154719137
2021157413110
20206541273
20191294897
201813962389
201710411160
20169312056
201516422156
201413802026
20131780310
20121620270
20111680210
20101860830
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities16
  2. EU Blue Card5
  3. Researchers3
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
1,146
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
10
Changed status into work, 2025
10
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 South Africa, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

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

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Italy, 2023; South Africa ranks 101.

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 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