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Sri Lanka → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

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

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

Inflows by year

2,0004,00020122015
2,0004,00020122015
Data table
20124,000
20131,000
20142,000
20153,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——4,306
2022——3,839
2021—41,0004,002
2020——1,541
2019——2,986
2018—36,0002,907
2017—44,0002,465
2016—47,0003,431
20153,00050,0002,287
20142,00067,0002,335
20131,00059,0003,851
20124,00049,9676,158
2011—69,0005,886
2010—57,0004,943
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 the United Kingdom: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

80k160k19901995200020052010201520202024
80k160k19902000201020202024
Data table
199037,243
199549,372
200064,921
200589,047
2010123,503
2015138,622
2020150,722
2024160,178
Estimate, 2024
160,178
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.4%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
19
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 Sri Lanka, and students from Sri Lanka at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor23,057
  2. Study4,323
  3. Work3,697
  4. Family822
  5. Other268

Visas issued by year

24k49k201020122014201620182020202220242025
24k49k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201032,974
201126,156
201221,294
201322,616
201421,818
201522,687
201620,781
201722,732
201822,968
201925,152
20206,919
202110,319
202237,311
202348,645
202437,074
202532,167

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

3,7937,58520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
3,7937,585201520172019202120232025
Data table
20151,810
20161,430
20171,135
20181,155
20191,175
20201,235
20211,775
20224,060
20237,585
20247,240
20256,120
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 Sri Lanka (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019002,9861,197
20182,77802,9071,131
20173,30102,4671,113
20163,67403,4311,435
20154,14202,2931,816
20144,06402,3352,507
20134,53903,8512,933
20124,59406,1570
20119,00805,8860
201012,86304,9420
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Where else people from Sri Lanka move (OECD, 2023).

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