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Gambia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
10,067
Top destination, 2023
Spain
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,177
UK visas issued, 2025
1,945
NationalityGMISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<GMGAMBIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
GM8<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of the Gambia 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 the Gambia move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Spain3,387
  2. Italy2,395
  3. Germany1,729
  4. United States1,180
  5. France374
  6. Sweden216
  7. Netherlands214
  8. Canada115
  9. Belgium98
  10. Finland93
  11. Austria69
  12. Switzerland56
  13. Japan47
  14. Norway23
  15. South Korea21

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

7,88216k200020032006200920122015201820212023
7,88216k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20001,564
20011,537
20021,987
20031,906
20043,221
20053,549
20063,866
20074,683
20084,413
20093,927
20103,803
20113,680
20123,964
20134,491
20147,297
201513,833
201615,764
201715,526
201812,524
20199,029
20206,499
20219,288
20229,124
202310,067
Share going to the top destination
33.6%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in the Gambia 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. Spain29,653
  2. Italy26,164
  3. Senegal5,764
  4. Ghana2,109
  5. Mali1,629
  6. Norway1,392
  7. Togo1,079
  8. Finland1,062
  9. Guinea-Bissau917
  10. Denmark733
  11. Liberia519
  12. Sierra Leone487

Living abroad by year

36k72k19901995200020052010201520202024
36k72k19902000201020202024
Data table
199014,218
199516,789
200019,940
200527,073
201034,151
201538,925
202061,390
202472,452
Living abroad, 2024
72,452
Change since 2000
+263.4%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
40.9%
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 the Gambia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2618
  2. K1122
  3. F199
  4. G291
  5. A257
  6. C1/D39
  7. G431
  8. J124
  9. C117
  10. K213

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

1,2292,458201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,2292,45820172019202120232025
Data table
2017709
20181,218
20191,253
2020556
2021381
20221,591
20232,458
20242,113
20251,177
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR1409
  2. IR2398
  3. IR5268
  4. FX186
  5. F2A79
  6. F178
  7. F2B47
  8. DV22
Immigrant visas, FY2025
1,571
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
14
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 the Gambia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of the Gambia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

6901,3802015201620172018201920202021202220232024
6901,380201520172019202120232024
Data table
20151,140
20161,250
20171,130
20181,020
20191,380
2020660
2021780
20221,010
20231,080
20241,300
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens1,040
  2. Family-sponsored preferences160
  3. Refugees and asylees70
  4. Employment-based preferences20
  5. Diversity visa lottery10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in the Gambia)
1,300
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in the Gambia)
860
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
2,830
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 the Gambia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in the Gambia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor1,360
  2. Family236
  3. Other210
  4. Work71
  5. Study68

Visas issued by year

1,6763,352201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,6763,352201020132016201920222025
Data table
20103,352
20112,445
20122,074
20131,977
20141,779
20151,679
20161,484
20171,435
20181,656
20192,786
2020816
20211,147
20221,785
20232,354
20242,243
20251,945
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
95
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 the Gambia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025045155900
20240301451200
20230601951200
2022010105600
202102090850
20200045105
20190065305
20180060450
20170030450
20160050350
20150035200
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 the Gambia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

112022–23
112022–23
Data table
2022–231
Granted, 2025–26
0
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 the Gambia 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

1172342012201420162018202220242025
1172342012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201222
201334
201439
201541
201657
201771
201882
201989
2022129
2023158
2024186
2025234
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Designated Activities70
  2. Student52
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services37
  4. Permanent Resident24
  5. Dependent22
  6. Spouse or Child of Japanese National14
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident6
  8. Long-Term Resident4
  9. Instructor2
  10. Entertainer1
Residents, December 2025
234
In work-related statuses
42
Share in work-related statuses
17.9%
Students
52
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 the Gambia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons2,910
  2. Family2,869
  3. Work1,502
  4. Education456
First permits by country
  1. Spain2,139
  2. Italy2,102
  3. Germany1,509
  4. Portugal595
  5. France447
  6. Sweden249
  7. Netherlands181
  8. Finland90
  9. Belgium81
  10. Switzerland52
  11. Austria49
  12. Greece37
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card2
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)11
  3. Researchers4
  4. Other paid activities1,485
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
7
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
1,741
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
899
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
100
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
80,029
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
3,746
Changed status into work, 2025
2,249
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
118
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 the Gambia 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
Denmark20252073712
Sweden2025198591211350
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202580773
Austria2025654025
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark7
  2. Sweden5
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 the Gambia 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 reasons3,930
  2. Application for a residence title pending2,450
  3. Permanent residence title2,215
  4. Family reasons2,160
  5. Tolerated stay (Duldung)2,160
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted900
  7. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure835
  8. Employment795
  9. Special residence rights and national visas670
  10. EU free movement340
  11. Education and training160

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

8,31317k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
8,31317k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
20146,263
201510,167
201615,710
201716,455
201815,725
201915,535
202015,730
202116,190
202216,585
202316,435
202416,585
202516,625
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
16,620
With a residence title for employment
795
Permanent residence title
2,215
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 the Gambia, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

4,0818,1622016201720182019202020212022202320242025
4,0818,162201620182020202220242025
Data table
20167,126
20178,162
20184,142
2019760
2020519
2021893
20221,635
20232,662
20243,021
20252,732
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Asylum and protection1,192
  2. Other reasons739
  3. Family592
  4. Study114
  5. Work95
New permits, 2025
2,732
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
27,043
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
7,054
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 the Gambia

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

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
China1——
Germany1——
Senegal1——
Türkiye1——
Countries
5
Missions
5
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

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

Remittances received by year, US$ million

309617200320062009201220152018202120242025
3096172003200720112015201920232025
Data table
200354
200461
200559
200664
200756
200865
200980
2010116
201191
2012106
2013110
2014138
2015154
2016146
2017160
2018212
2019276
2020416
2021547
2022502
2023515
2024529
2025617
Remittances received, 2025
US$617 million
Share of GDP, 2025
23.8%
Average cost of sending US$200 to the Gambia, 2023
6.8%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from the Gambia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Gambia → Spain
  • Gambia → Italy
  • Gambia → Germany
  • Gambia → United States
  • Gambia → Portugal
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