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South Africa → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from South Africa to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

3,0006,000201220152016
3,0006,000201220152016
Data table
20123,000
20132,000
20144,000
20154,000
20166,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——5,999
2022——5,247
2021—101,0004,255
2020——3,008
2019——4,797
2018—73,0003,582
2017—101,0003,103
20166,00065,0005,059
20154,00069,0004,771
20144,00067,0005,294
20132,00087,0006,447
20123,00066,8086,925
2011—81,0006,351
2010—102,0007,442
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 the United Kingdom: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

123k245k19901995200020052010201520202024
123k245k19902000201020202024
Data table
199063,164
199592,386
2000133,401
2005164,846
2010198,360
2015216,440
2020232,701
2024245,446
Estimate, 2024
245,446
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
2.1%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
11
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 South Africa, and students from South Africa at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor76,169
  2. Work3,674
  3. Other3,664
  4. Family716
  5. Study557

Visas issued by year

57k115k201020122014201620182020202220242025
57k115k201020132016201920222025
Data table
2010111,497
2011109,195
2012102,420
201395,571
201487,797
201599,398
201684,433
201799,388
2018104,477
2019114,981
202025,264
202121,570
202295,283
202399,575
202491,626
202584,780

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

1,1832,36520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,1832,365201520172019202120232025
Data table
20151,165
20161,280
20171,415
20181,525
20191,710
20201,885
20212,015
20222,210
20232,365
20242,335
20252,185
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 South Africa (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019004,7971,742
20184,96103,5821,490
20176,60603,1031,384
20166,84505,0591,269
20155,75604,7871,151
20145,03905,2891,212
20137,27306,4461,225
20126,03506,9240
20118,17706,3450
20108,75407,4390
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 South Africa, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

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

Compared with other corridors

Where else people from South Africa move (OECD, 2023).

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