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India

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
470,082
Top destination, 2023
Canada
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,382,152
UK visas issued, 2025
714,202
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
14.9%
NationalityINISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<ININDIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
IN5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of India 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 KongNo visa for up to 14 days after online pre-arrival registrationImmigration 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 India move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Canada139,785
  2. United States68,420
  3. Australia55,277
  4. Germany54,123
  5. New Zealand47,163
  6. Italy13,691
  7. Portugal12,185
  8. Netherlands12,073
  9. Japan10,547
  10. Spain10,063
  11. Sweden7,461
  12. South Korea4,033
  13. Belgium3,603
  14. Switzerland3,514
  15. Türkiye3,434

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

235k470k200020032006200920122015201820212023
235k470k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200095,932
2001134,339
2002141,604
2003121,312
2004146,173
2005170,062
2006153,725
2007163,254
2008173,707
2009169,730
2010191,826
2011184,498
2012229,292
2013241,691
2014287,661
2015271,557
2016276,904
2017311,057
2018354,707
2019408,417
2020197,850
2021356,921
2022456,327
2023470,082
Share going to the top destination
29.7%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in India 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. United Arab Emirates3,248,545
  2. United States3,165,238
  3. Saudi Arabia1,953,496
  4. Pakistan1,597,134
  5. Kuwait1,231,094
  6. United Kingdom1,044,779
  7. Canada1,015,630
  8. Australia876,074
  9. Oman803,105
  10. Qatar736,955
  11. Nepal412,190
  12. Singapore377,038

Living abroad by year

9.27M18.5M19901995200020052010201520202024
9.27M18.5M19902000201020202024
Data table
19906,575,416
19956,900,228
20007,778,792
20059,500,673
201012,350,515
201515,277,263
202016,532,761
202418,533,845
Living abroad, 2024
18,533,845
Change since 2000
+138.3%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
17.5%
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 India by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2964,296
  2. H1B148,298
  3. H4113,089
  4. C1/D45,065
  5. F140,077
  6. L223,864
  7. L119,698
  8. J18,614
  9. F22,651
  10. P32,550

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

695k1.39M201720182019202020212022202320242025
695k1.39M20172019202120232025
Data table
2017606,247
20181,006,796
2019980,342
2020499,784
2021276,884
2022765,593
20231,389,750
20241,375,795
20251,382,152
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR58,600
  2. F45,305
  3. F33,086
  4. IR12,224
  5. CR11,770
  6. I5694
  7. IR2495
  8. E3331
Immigrant visas, FY2025
24,345
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
40,771
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 India who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of India with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

64k127k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
64k127k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201564,120
201664,690
201760,390
201859,820
201954,500
202046,360
202193,450
2022127,010
202378,070
202466,800
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens34,090
  2. Employment-based preferences18,800
  3. Family-sponsored preferences9,660
  4. Refugees and asylees3,710
  5. Other classes520
  6. Diversity visa lottery30
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)497,460
  2. Spouses and children265,400
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)64,910
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)5,930
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)3,590
  6. Other temporary workers3,030
  7. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in India)
66,800
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in India)
49,700
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
2,944,840
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 India (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in India (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor555,457
  2. Study96,656
  3. Work54,424
  4. Other4,771
  5. Family2,894

Visas issued by year

424k848k201020122014201620182020202220242025
424k848k201020132016201920222025
Data table
2010420,013
2011407,762
2012380,479
2013400,740
2014410,293
2015455,732
2016480,004
2017525,706
2018583,039
2019641,339
2020212,381
2021270,251
2022748,462
2023847,905
2024733,722
2025714,202
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
146,505
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 India, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202533,095185,47098,94598,83521,925
202440,310211,475193,040127,38042,135
202328,855256,085283,665139,78040,760
202219,285147,250232,750118,25016,830
202110,345132,220175,115127,94561,080
202010,49594,80084,93542,88038,175
201912,24092,970140,34085,59533,840
20187,55059,405109,37569,98533,170
20175,23039,45584,32551,58528,885
20163,39035,13553,50539,7058,175
20152,00522,09532,50039,3355,265
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 India, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

7,12414k2005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
7,12414k2005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–063,989
2006–076,525
2007–088,248
2008–097,419
2009–105,825
2010–118,761
2011–1211,938
2012–1314,247
2013–1412,120
2014–1512,447
2015–1611,270
2016–1710,403
2017–187,916
2018–1910,234
2019–206,334
2020–215,154
2021–228,933
2022–2312,146
2023–247,773
2024–2512,360
2025–2611,673
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills9,044
  2. Specialist Skills1,226
  3. Medium-term626
  4. Labour Agreement571
  5. Short-term206
Granted, 2025–26
11,673
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
16.8%
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 India 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

29k59k2012201420162018202220242025
29k59k2012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201221,654
201322,526
201424,524
201526,244
201628,667
201731,689
201835,419
201940,202
202243,886
202348,835
202453,974
202558,999
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services14,567
  2. Dependent13,367
  3. Permanent Resident10,084
  4. Skilled Labor7,932
  5. Student2,487
  6. Designated Activities1,874
  7. Highly Skilled Professional1,577
  8. Technical Intern Training1,358
  9. Long-Term Resident1,086
  10. Intra-company Transferee805
Residents, December 2025
58,999
In work-related statuses
28,512
Share in work-related statuses
48.3%
Students
2,487
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 India

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

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Switzerland217,373191,16226,12612.0%
France197,959165,56431,31415.8%
Germany142,955126,81215,80611.1%
Spain97,20480,80615,15015.6%
Netherlands91,00375,72714,56916.0%
Italy60,36553,5396,80911.3%
Austria43,50433,8969,57922.0%
Greece41,41828,23012,97331.3%
Sweden32,93928,1094,75514.4%
Belgium29,32226,5562,5578.7%
Norway27,28224,6902,5929.5%
Czechia19,94715,6594,28021.5%
Hungary19,24316,6952,54813.2%
Finland17,76213,8783,48319.6%
Denmark16,59715,0931,3968.4%

Applications by year

571k1.14M2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
571k1.14M200920122015201820212024
Data table
2009369,229
2010444,562
2011499,954
2012506,162
2013522,347
2014568,216
2015708,386
2016792,271
2017920,699
20181,081,359
20191,141,705
2020167,562
2021130,427
2022671,928
2023966,687
20241,108,239
Refusal rate, 2024
14.9%
Refusal rate, 2019
10.8%
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 India in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work107,216
  2. Education61,870
  3. Family48,503
  4. Other reasons19,043
First permits by country
  1. Germany49,023
  2. Italy33,384
  3. Portugal25,594
  4. Ireland18,869
  5. France9,888
  6. Netherlands9,819
  7. Poland9,230
  8. Cyprus8,691
  9. Sweden7,204
  10. Malta7,014
  11. Spain6,099
  12. Denmark4,670
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card5,790
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)11,982
  3. Researchers4,318
  4. Other paid activities85,126
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
16,267
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
34,615
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
96,174
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
1,955
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
1,073,597
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
35,941
Changed status into work, 2025
15,889
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
2,601
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
39,134
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 India 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
Denmark20254,9153,895887120013
Sweden20254,9391,5989552,287693
Netherlands20258,0052,7452,0053,230025
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20252,3646111,753
Austria20252,6431,4441,199
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark3,895
  2. Sweden1,598
  3. Netherlands2,745
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 India living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Employment61,625
  2. Family reasons61,555
  3. Permanent residence title50,635
  4. Education and training47,845
  5. Application for a residence title pending42,895
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted32,355
  7. Special residence rights and national visas4,475
  8. EU free movement3,835
  9. Tolerated stay (Duldung)3,225
  10. International law, humanitarian or political reasons1,850
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure760

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

156k311k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
156k311k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201476,093
201586,324
201697,865
2017108,965
2018124,095
2019143,725
2020150,840
2021171,895
2022210,385
2023246,125
2024277,455
2025311,130
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
311,125
With a residence title for employment
61,625
Permanent residence title
50,635
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 India, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

15k30k2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
15k30k201620182020202220242025
Data table
20169,560
20178,658
201813,621
201911,405
20206,191
202112,680
202214,479
202317,556
202416,907
202530,227
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Work13,783
  2. Family9,635
  3. Asylum and protection4,321
  4. Study1,888
  5. Other reasons600
New permits, 2025
30,227
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
180,618
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
75,936
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 India

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

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Argentina1——
Armenia1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Bahrain1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Bhutan1——
Bolivia1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1—1
Bulgaria1——
Burkina Faso1——
Burundi1——
Cambodia1——
Chad1——
Chile1——
China12—
Colombia1——
Costa Rica1——
Croatia1——
Cuba1——
Czechia1——
Côte d’Ivoire1——
DR Congo1——
Djibouti1——
Dominican Republic1——
Ecuador1——
Egypt1——
El Salvador1——
Equatorial Guinea1——
Eritrea1——
Estonia1——
Ethiopia1——
Finland11—
France13—
Gabon1——
Georgia1——
Germany14—
Greece1——
Guatemala1——
Guinea1——
Hungary1——
Iceland1——
Indonesia11—
Iran1——
Iraq1——
Ireland1——
Israel12—
Italy1——
Japan14—
Jordan1——
Kazakhstan1——
Kuwait1——
Kyrgyzstan1——
Laos1——
Latvia1——
Lebanon1——
Libya1——
Lithuania1——
Luxembourg1——
Madagascar1——
Malaysia—2—
Mali1——
Mexico1——
Mongolia1——
Morocco1——
Myanmar1——
Nepal1——
Netherlands1——
Niger1——
North Korea1——
North Macedonia1——
Norway1——
Oman1——
Palestine1——
Panama1——
Paraguay1——
Peru1——
Philippines1——
Poland11—
Portugal1——
Qatar1——
Republic of the Congo1——
Romania1——
Russia11—
Saudi Arabia1——
Senegal1——
Serbia1——
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1——
Somalia1——
South Korea11—
South Sudan1——
Spain1——
Sudan1——
Suriname1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Tajikistan1——
Thailand11—
Togo1——
Tunisia1——
Turkmenistan1——
Türkiye12—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates12—
United Kingdom——8
United States—4—
Uruguay1——
Uzbekistan1——
Venezuela1——
Vietnam1——
Yemen1——
Zimbabwe1——
Countries
118
Missions
155
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

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

Remittances received by year, US$ million

75k151k2000200320062009201220152018202120242025
75k151k200020052010201520202025
Data table
200012,883
200114,273
200215,736
200320,999
200418,750
200522,125
200628,334
200737,217
200849,977
200949,204
201053,480
201162,499
201268,821
201369,970
201470,389
201568,910
201662,744
201768,967
201878,790
201983,332
202083,149
202189,375
2022111,222
2023119,526
2024137,675
2025150,712
Remittances received, 2025
US$150,712 million
Share of GDP, 2025
3.8%
Average cost of sending US$200 to India, 2023
1.8%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from India

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • India → United States
  • India → Canada
  • India → Australia
  • India → Germany
  • India → New Zealand
  • India → Switzerland
  • India → France
  • India → Spain
  • India → Netherlands
  • India → Italy
  • India → Portugal
  • India → Japan
  • India → Austria
  • India → Greece
  • India → Sweden
  • India → Belgium
  • India → Norway
  • India → South Korea
  • India → Czechia
  • India → Hungary
  • India → Finland
  • India → Türkiye
  • India → Denmark
  • India → Lithuania
  • India → Poland
  • India → Latvia
  • India → Iceland
  • India → Bulgaria
  • India → Luxembourg
  • India → Malta
  • India → Slovenia
  • India → Croatia
  • India → Romania
  • India → Slovakia
  • India → United Kingdom
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