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Sri Lanka → Canada

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Sri Lanka
To
Canada
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
2,710
Change since 2018
+25.5%
Share of all arrivals in Canada, 2023
0.58%
Inflow 20232,710OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<CASRI<LANKA<CANADA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
LK7<CA4<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Migration from Sri Lanka to Canada

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

Inflows by year

2,9255,849200020032006200920122015201820212023
2,9255,8492000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20005,849
20015,520
20024,968
20034,892
20044,488
20054,918
20064,651
20074,097
20084,751
20094,543
20104,419
20113,309
20123,338
20132,394
20142,604
20151,795
20161,545
20172,150
20182,160
20192,235
20201,340
20212,030
20222,510
20232,710
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
20232,710—3,618
20222,510—3,177
20212,03027,045976
20201,340—1,032
20192,235—2,468
20182,160—1,710
20172,150—1,472
20161,54526,0252,528
20151,795—2,986
20142,604—4,107
20132,394—2,425
20123,338—1,984
20113,30931,2703,321
20104,419—2,916
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Sri Lanka who live in Canada: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

70k141k19901995200020052010201520202024
70k141k19902000201020202024
Data table
199021,567
199542,181
200078,755
2005103,483
2010130,666
2015134,844
2020135,949
2024140,870
Estimate, 2024
140,870
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.6%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
13
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 Sri Lanka (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry
20255504,2502,5403,095485
20247854,2253,5853,810575
20239405,0205,2752,705510
20222952,0303,6552,505170
20211501,2401,9202,015375
20201105808451,335365
20191155409852,230390
2018303455702,160325
2017552904502,150250
2016803254201,54090
2015752152851,785110

Study permits by year

2,6385,27520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,6385,275201520172019202120232025
Data table
2015285
2016420
2017450
2018570
2019985
2020845
20211,920
20223,655
20235,275
20243,585
20252,540
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; Sri Lanka ranks 30.

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 Sri Lanka, 2023
  1. Japan11,328
  2. South Korea8,576
  3. New Zealand7,044
  4. Australia6,055
  5. Finland3,260
  6. Italy2,877
  7. United States2,280
  8. Germany2,058
  9. France1,883
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