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Syria → United Kingdom

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Syria
To
United Kingdom
Inflow 2023—OECD
Data as at 2025
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SY8<GB5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Migration from Syria to the United Kingdom

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

Inflows by year

5001,00020142015
5001,00020142015
Data table
20141,000
20151,000
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2023——8,320
2022——5,524
2021—28,0003,230
2020——1,728
2019——2,363
2018——832
2017——336
2016——298
20151,000—302
20141,000—260
2013——410
2012——526
2011——482
2010——456
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

UK visas

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Syria, and students from Syria at UK universities.

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Family2,493
  2. Visitor1,861
  3. Other316
  4. Study218
  5. Work177

Visas issued by year

4,6799,357201020122014201620182020202220242025
4,6799,357201020132016201920222025
Data table
20105,522
20115,739
20123,490
20133,812
20143,251
20155,918
20168,959
20178,079
20187,982
20198,171
20202,862
20213,960
20225,274
20236,970
20249,357
20255,065

Students at UK universities (academic year ending)

12324520152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
123245201520172019202120232025
Data table
2015245
2016200
2017190
2018175
2019170
2020130
2021150
2022150
2023175
2024180
2025185
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 Syria (Eurostat).

YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2019002,363214
20182,6100832219
20174,7190336226
20166,5990298239
20154,3550303269
20142,5290260378
20132,4320410526
20121,53305260
20111,00004820
201083904560
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 Syria move (OECD, 2023).

Other destinations for people from Syria, 2023
  1. Germany128,742
  2. Netherlands19,551
  3. Austria15,246
  4. Canada9,345
  5. Belgium5,496
  6. United States4,250
  7. France3,381
  8. Türkiye3,330
  9. Norway3,116
  10. Sweden2,515
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