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Sri Lanka → Denmark

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Sri Lanka
To
Denmark
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
216
Change since 2018
+105.7%
Share of all arrivals in Denmark, 2023
0.27%
Inflow 2023216OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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LK7<DK1<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Migration from Sri Lanka to Denmark

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

Inflows by year

108216200020032006200920122015201820212023
1082162000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000173
2001161
2002150
2003112
200442
200587
200660
200786
200890
2009106
201096
201170
201253
2013121
2014129
2015101
201684
201781
2018105
201997
202054
202186
2022108
2023216
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—2,782—
20232162,61114
20221082,55825
2021862,55530
2020542,56224
2019972,5281
20181052,48517
2017812,48657
2016842,702234
20151012,69856
20141292,66848
20131212,57813
2012532,60345
2011702,64058
2010962,59320
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 Denmark: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

4,1098,21819901995200020052010201520202024
4,1098,21819902000201020202024
Data table
19905,475
19956,917
20007,757
20057,631
20107,713
20157,863
20207,956
20248,218
Estimate, 2024
8,218
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.97%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
35
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

Residence permits in Denmark

First residence permits issued by Denmark to citizens of Sri Lanka (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family539
  2. Education287
  3. Work95
  4. Other reasons58
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025979000
202485103031
202342201417
202234102516
202119003023
20207602420
20191360122
201814101723
201710805725
2016108023425
2015116015915
201413004814
201316401312
2012650450
2011880610
20101220340
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities57
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)35
  3. Researchers3
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
4,118
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
51
Changed status into work, 2025
13
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Denmark: national statistics office

Residence permits granted by Denmark to citizens of Sri Lanka, by type of permit (Statistics Denmark).

YearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
20259871668041601
20248581686592227
202342714723335111
2022350252742112
2021192116561901
20207618382000
201915647822430
201815842723815
201711929484011
201611931493180
201512034572630
2014132325337100
2013168405061161
20126717123710
201195142939130
2010128194353112

All by year

49498720052007200920112013201520172019202120232025
494987200520092013201720212025
Data table
200598
2006116
2007113
2008168
2009148
2010128
201195
201267
2013168
2014132
2015120
2016119
2017119
2018158
2019156
202076
2021192
2022350
2023427
2024858
2025987
Residence permits granted, October 2025 – September 2026
330
of which for work
158
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Denmark, 2023; Sri Lanka ranks 53.

Inflows to Denmark, 2023
  1. Ukraine8,215
  2. Romania6,129
  3. Germany5,042
  4. Poland4,879
  5. United States4,154
  6. Italy3,424
  7. India3,376
  8. Spain2,288
  9. Iran2,166
  10. Nepal2,149
  11. China2,049
  12. Sweden1,939
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. Canada2,710
  8. United States2,280
  9. Germany2,058
  10. 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