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Eritrea

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
25,218
Top destination, 2023
Canada
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,058
UK visas issued, 2025
2,328
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
28.7%
NationalityERISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<ERERITREA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
ER9<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Eritrea 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 Eritrea move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Canada10,680
  2. Germany3,904
  3. Belgium2,219
  4. United States1,990
  5. Netherlands1,943
  6. Switzerland1,364
  7. France783
  8. Sweden768
  9. Norway686
  10. Luxembourg321
  11. Italy162
  12. Denmark137
  13. New Zealand84
  14. Finland69
  15. Austria54

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

23k46k200020032006200920122015201820212023
23k46k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20001,349
20011,099
20022,040
20032,756
20043,139
20054,693
20065,678
20076,742
20086,291
20098,879
201011,220
201112,990
201213,912
201318,053
201435,246
201546,472
201642,500
201735,269
201830,836
201928,431
202016,588
202119,803
202222,241
202325,218
Share going to the top destination
42.4%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Eritrea 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. Sudan384,053
  2. Ethiopia176,860
  3. Sweden59,751
  4. Canada42,246
  5. Uganda41,731
  6. Egypt32,390
  7. Switzerland31,946
  8. Netherlands27,133
  9. Norway25,546
  10. United Arab Emirates18,093
  11. Italy9,107
  12. Israel7,896

Living abroad by year

456k913k19901995200020052010201520202024
456k913k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990156,294
1995370,422
2000505,394
2005267,114
2010283,312
2015478,597
2020663,275
2024912,792
Living abroad, 2024
912,792
Change since 2000
+80.6%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
42.1%
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 Eritrea by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2882
  2. K169
  3. B122
  4. F120
  5. B219
  6. G414
  7. G27
  8. R16
  9. J16
  10. G13

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

7421,484201720182019202020212022202320242025
7421,48420172019202120232025
Data table
20171,476
20181,073
20191,093
2020530
2021237
2022869
2023964
20241,484
20251,058
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR5349
  2. IR1247
  3. IR282
  4. FX78
  5. F132
  6. F2A24
  7. DV15
  8. GV315
Immigrant visas, FY2025
899
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
1
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 Eritrea who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Eritrea with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,2252,4502015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,2252,450201520172019202120232024
Data table
20152,220
20162,270
20172,450
20182,430
20192,390
20201,880
20211,300
20221,760
20231,520
20241,530
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens660
  2. Refugees and asylees660
  3. Family-sponsored preferences150
  4. Diversity visa lottery40
  5. Employment-based preferences20
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Eritrea)
1,530
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Eritrea)
2,300
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
1,210
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 Eritrea (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Eritrea (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Family1,853
  2. Visitor273
  3. Other87
  4. Work81
  5. Study34

Visas issued by year

1,6293,258201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,6293,258201020132016201920222025
Data table
20101,392
20111,124
20121,032
20131,084
2014978
2015985
20161,474
20171,781
20182,322
20192,573
20201,190
20211,431
20221,475
20232,411
20243,258
20252,328
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
5
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 Eritrea, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025002512,3500
2024002016,5950
2023002510,6800
202200107,6600
202100205,3800
202000502,6400
201900707,0250
2018001555,6900
2017002254,6900
2016001054,6550
201500752,2100
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 Eritrea, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

232005–062009–102011–122021–222023–242025–26
232005–062009–102011–122021–222023–242025–26
Data table
2005–061
2008–091
2009–101
2010–111
2011–122
2018–191
2021–221
2022–232
2023–243
2025–263
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills2
  2. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
3
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 Eritrea 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

27542012201420162018202220242025
27542012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201231
201322
201425
201527
201636
201746
201848
201950
202254
202354
202452
202553
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Long-Term Resident16
  2. Permanent Resident11
  3. Designated Activities9
  4. Dependent6
  5. Student4
  6. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services2
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident2
  8. Spouse or Child of Japanese National1
  9. Instructor1
  10. Highly Skilled Professional1
Residents, December 2025
53
In work-related statuses
4
Share in work-related statuses
7.5%
Students
4
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

Schengen visas in Eritrea

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Eritrea, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Italy5,2553,7321,50928.7%

Applications by year

2,6285,2552009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,6285,255200920122015201820212024
Data table
20092,263
20102,573
20112,383
20121,905
20131,918
20141,988
20151,906
20162,047
20172,331
20182,155
20192,145
2020404
2021256
20221,277
20233,317
20245,255
Refusal rate, 2024
28.7%
Refusal rate, 2019
35.2%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

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

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons11,500
  2. Family4,519
  3. Education73
  4. Work32
First permits by country
  1. Germany5,449
  2. Netherlands3,256
  3. Belgium1,732
  4. Sweden1,472
  5. France1,060
  6. Greece847
  7. Norway586
  8. Luxembourg524
  9. Switzerland290
  10. Denmark288
  11. Italy269
  12. Finland169
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card3
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)6
  3. Other paid activities23
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
2
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
14,797
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
525
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
470
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
199,376
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
9,105
Changed status into work, 2025
21
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 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Eritrea 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
Denmark202528800832023
Sweden20255853341014128
Netherlands20253,125557102,4050
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202584975
Austria20251015-5
Work-related, latest year
  1. Sweden3
  2. 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 Eritrea 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 reasons52,235
  2. Permanent residence title11,030
  3. Application for a residence title pending10,320
  4. Family reasons4,760
  5. Neither tolerated nor permitted2,940
  6. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure1,730
  7. Tolerated stay (Duldung)1,230
  8. Special residence rights and national visas355
  9. Education and training60
  10. Employment45
  11. EU free movement20

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

42k85k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
42k85k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201425,776
201540,069
201659,800
201766,665
201871,540
201974,115
202075,735
202178,740
202281,955
202384,010
202484,760
202584,735
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
84,725
With a residence title for employment
45
Permanent residence title
11,030
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 Eritrea, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

6181,2362016201720182019202020212022202320242025
6181,236201620182020202220242025
Data table
2016848
20171,236
2018937
2019320
2020149
2021243
2022226
2023192
2024156
2025167
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Other reasons54
  2. Family51
  3. Asylum and protection45
  4. Study14
  5. Work3
New permits, 2025
167
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
4,935
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
2,084
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 Eritrea

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

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
China1——
France1——
Germany1——
India1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
South Africa1——
Türkiye1——
United Kingdom1——
Countries
11
Missions
11
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

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

Remittances received by year, US$ million

232000
232000
Data table
20003
Remittances received, 2000
US$3 million
Share of GDP, 2000
0.5%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Eritrea, 2023
9.2%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2000

All corridors from Eritrea

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Eritrea → Canada
  • Eritrea → Germany
  • Eritrea → Belgium
  • Eritrea → United States
  • Eritrea → Netherlands
  • Eritrea → Switzerland
  • Eritrea → Italy
  • Eritrea → France
  • Eritrea → Sweden
  • Eritrea → Norway
  • Eritrea → Luxembourg
  • Eritrea → United Kingdom
  • Eritrea → 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