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Afghanistan

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
164,577
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,500
UK visas issued, 2025
11,785
NationalityAFISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<AFAFGHANISTAN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
AF5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Afghanistan need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Afghanistan move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany58,482
  2. United States35,630
  3. Canada20,180
  4. Türkiye12,732
  5. France10,974
  6. Australia4,275
  7. Belgium3,934
  8. Austria3,530
  9. Switzerland3,466
  10. Sweden3,125
  11. Italy2,485
  12. Netherlands1,500
  13. Finland1,456
  14. Norway709
  15. Japan704

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

85k170k200020032006200920122015201820212023
85k170k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200016,472
200118,892
200215,183
200313,568
200413,299
200516,931
200615,530
200712,620
200814,395
200918,704
201024,459
201129,576
201231,912
201331,423
201445,658
2015138,872
2016153,547
2017105,318
2018103,488
2019101,375
202069,964
2021125,494
2022169,628
2023164,577
Share going to the top destination
35.5%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Afghanistan who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Iran3,752,317
  2. Pakistan1,923,453
  3. Germany358,767
  4. Türkiye332,053
  5. United States199,252
  6. Saudi Arabia153,258
  7. United Kingdom99,398
  8. France89,849
  9. Australia81,506
  10. Sweden79,353
  11. Canada70,392
  12. Austria54,204

Living abroad by year

3.76M7.53M19901995200020052010201520202024
3.76M7.53M19902000201020202024
Data table
19907,477,104
19954,107,724
20004,544,516
20053,902,699
20105,074,825
20155,181,002
20205,729,887
20247,528,994
Living abroad, 2024
7,528,994
Change since 2000
+65.7%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
49.8%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Afghanistan by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B21,042
  2. G4148
  3. F1142
  4. K1104
  5. J115
  6. F210
  7. J27
  8. H45
  9. O34
  10. C24

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

1,4152,830201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,4152,83020172019202120232025
Data table
20171,627
20182,626
20192,598
20201,573
20211,123
20221,869
20232,725
20242,830
20251,500
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. SQ311,129
  2. SQ14,642
  3. SQ23,648
  4. IR51,350
  5. IR1528
  6. DV448
  7. CR1311
  8. IR2250
Immigrant visas, FY2025
22,721
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
29
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Afghanistan who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Afghanistan with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

25k50k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
25k50k201520172019202120232024
Data table
20158,330
201612,510
201719,540
201812,940
201910,140
202011,410
20219,490
202214,190
202330,300
202450,310
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Other classes42,720
  2. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens3,750
  3. Refugees and asylees2,470
  4. Diversity visa lottery890
  5. Family-sponsored preferences440
  6. Employment-based preferences50
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Afghanistan)
50,310
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Afghanistan)
6,820
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
4,320
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Afghanistan (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Afghanistan (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Other5,875
  2. Family4,268
  3. Visitor1,218
  4. Study271
  5. Work153

Visas issued by year

7,18714k201020122014201620182020202220242025
7,18714k201020132016201920222025
Data table
20104,150
20114,884
20123,390
20132,853
20143,106
20152,829
20162,474
20172,619
20182,845
20193,650
20201,671
20218,107
20228,499
202310,848
202414,374
202511,785
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
320
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Afghanistan, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20250151258,2150
202408514012,2850
202305015020,1800
202204517523,7450
202105708,5650
202000751,6555
201900853,8900
201805703,5605
201700903,4600
2016001052,6550
201500902,6250
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Afghanistan, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

472005–062008–092010–112012–132014–152016–172018–192020–212023–242025–26
472005–062010–112014–152018–192023–242025–26
Data table
2005–062
2006–073
2008–092
2009–101
2010–111
2011–121
2012–133
2013–144
2014–153
2015–164
2016–172
2017–183
2018–193
2019–204
2020–211
2022–233
2023–246
2024–253
2025–267
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills6
  2. Labour Agreement1
Granted, 2025–26
7
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Afghanistan living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

3,4446,8872012201420162018202220242025
3,4446,8872012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20121,609
20131,901
20142,154
20152,639
20162,888
20172,978
20183,125
20193,350
20225,306
20235,892
20246,351
20256,887
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Dependent2,787
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services1,812
  3. Long-Term Resident834
  4. Business Manager489
  5. Designated Activities446
  6. Permanent Resident322
  7. Student63
  8. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident49
  9. Spouse or Child of Japanese National35
  10. Highly Skilled Professional19
Residents, December 2025
6,887
In work-related statuses
2,348
Share in work-related statuses
34.1%
Students
63
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Afghanistan in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons80,540
  2. Family13,739
  3. Education912
  4. Work471
First permits by country
  1. Germany39,218
  2. France17,531
  3. Greece14,571
  4. Austria6,088
  5. Belgium5,199
  6. Italy3,862
  7. Sweden2,380
  8. Netherlands1,484
  9. Norway955
  10. Finland848
  11. Spain828
  12. Switzerland731
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card26
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)40
  3. Researchers21
  4. Other paid activities384
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
93
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
24,182
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
11,970
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
1,085
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
644,679
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
33,416
Changed status into work, 2025
215
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
26
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Afghanistan in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202558110194992726
Sweden20251,654501,29426689
Netherlands20251,40551405257305
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202574328715
Austria20252,1198811,238
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark10
  2. Sweden5
  3. Netherlands5
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Afghanistan living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. International law, humanitarian or political reasons249,480
  2. Application for a residence title pending68,120
  3. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure36,130
  4. Permanent residence title33,895
  5. Family reasons23,850
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted22,015
  7. Tolerated stay (Duldung)10,295
  8. Employment2,740
  9. Special residence rights and national visas1,975
  10. Education and training870
  11. EU free movement395

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

225k450k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
225k450k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201475,385
2015131,454
2016253,485
2017251,640
2018257,110
2019263,420
2020271,805
2021309,820
2022377,240
2023419,410
2024442,020
2025449,780
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
449,780
With a residence title for employment
2,740
Permanent residence title
33,895
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Afghanistan, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

1,4912,9812016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,4912,981201620182020202220242025
Data table
20162,831
20171,210
2018790
2019567
2020583
20212,981
20222,595
20232,138
20241,647
20252,716
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Asylum and protection2,122
  2. Family462
  3. Other reasons72
  4. Study55
  5. Work5
New permits, 2025
2,716
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
21,585
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
4,716
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Afghanistan

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Afghanistan, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Australia1——
Bulgaria1——
Canada1——
China1——
Czechia1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
India14—
Indonesia1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Netherlands1——
Norway1——
Pakistan1——
Saudi Arabia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Türkiye12—
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Countries
22
Missions
28
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Afghanistan, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

41582920082011201420172020
41582920082011201420172020
Data table
200890
2009141
2010378
2011179
2012219
2013347
2014253
2015349
2016628
2017823
2018804
2019829
2020789
Remittances received, 2020
US$789 million
Share of GDP, 2020
4.0%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Afghanistan, 2023
9.0%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2020

All corridors from Afghanistan

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Afghanistan → Germany
  • Afghanistan → United States
  • Afghanistan → Canada
  • Afghanistan → Türkiye
  • Afghanistan → France
  • Afghanistan → Australia
  • Afghanistan → Belgium
  • Afghanistan → Austria
  • Afghanistan → Switzerland
  • Afghanistan → Sweden
  • Afghanistan → Italy
  • Afghanistan → Netherlands
  • Afghanistan → Finland
  • Afghanistan → Norway
  • Afghanistan → Japan
  • Afghanistan → Denmark
  • Afghanistan → Spain
  • Afghanistan → United Kingdom
  • Afghanistan → Greece
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