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Sri Lanka → Sweden

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Sri Lanka
To
Sweden
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
1,415
Change since 2018
+690.5%
Share of all arrivals in Sweden, 2023
1.86%
Inflow 20231,415OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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LK7<SE8<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Migration from Sri Lanka to Sweden

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

Inflows by year

7081,415200020032006200920122015201820212023
7081,4152000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000111
2001139
2002114
2003120
200498
2005111
2006189
2007170
2008165
2009154
2010138
2011122
2012159
2013105
2014126
2015126
2016118
2017146
2018179
2019198
2020196
2021364
20221,266
20231,415
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—3,947—
20231,4152,70573
20221,2661,542121
20213641,25282
20201961,192117
20191981,08072
20181791,042126
20171461,082153
20161181,092109
20151261,10594
20141261,11176
20131051,13076
20121591,103102
20111221,08170
20101381,04063
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 Sweden: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

4,7579,51419901995200020052010201520202024
4,7579,51419902000201020202024
Data table
19905,256
19955,583
20005,826
20056,193
20106,689
20156,990
20207,537
20249,514
Estimate, 2024
9,514
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.42%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
48
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

Sweden's consulates in Sri Lanka

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Sweden's consulates located in Sri Lanka.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
2010169164105.9%
200994677312012.7%

Applications by year

47394620092010
47394620092010
Data table
2009946
2010169
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Sweden

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

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family661
  2. Education440
  3. Work59
  4. Other reasons35
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
20251,195200
20241,296184785
20231,529373484
20221,5591121216
2021544082122
20202720117105
201930507263
2018251012658
2017213015354
2016213010947
201517809545
201416907631
201315707623
201219901020
20111940700
20101910630
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)27
  2. Other paid activities25
  3. Researchers5
  4. EU Blue Card2
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
4,994
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
157
Changed status into work, 2025
122
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
4
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
1
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Sweden: national statistics office

Immigrations of citizens of Sri Lanka to Sweden, by grounds for settlement (Statistics Sweden).

YearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
20259853341053309
20241,17251412659644
20231,415118465805027
20221,266146359718637
202136418116201722
2020196215687725
2019198245695023
2018179213793028
201714663193313
201611862665912
20151266278625
20141268169633
20131057677114
201215984135111
201112211489711
20101381110921114

All by year

7081,41520052007200920112013201520172019202120232025
7081,415200520092013201720212025
Data table
2005111
2006189
2007170
2008165
2009154
2010138
2011122
2012159
2013105
2014126
2015126
2016118
2017146
2018179
2019198
2020196
2021364
20221,266
20231,415
20241,172
2025985
Source: SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0)Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Sweden, 2023; Sri Lanka ranks 16.

Inflows to Sweden, 2023
  1. India7,461
  2. Poland4,493
  3. Germany3,819
  4. Afghanistan3,125
  5. China2,617
  6. Syria2,515
  7. Pakistan2,383
  8. Romania2,216
  9. Iran1,944
  10. Italy1,842
  11. Denmark1,790
  12. Türkiye1,719
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