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Libya

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
6,937
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
2,375
UK visas issued, 2025
3,526
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
18.9%
NationalityLYISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<LYLIBYA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
LY9<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Libya 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 Libya move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany2,384
  2. Türkiye2,024
  3. United States690
  4. Canada485
  5. Italy327
  6. South Korea238
  7. France230
  8. Austria156
  9. Netherlands140
  10. Belgium88
  11. Australia35
  12. Switzerland29
  13. Japan21
  14. Hungary21
  15. Sweden20

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

8,90418k200020032006200920122015201820212023
8,90418k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20001,172
20011,215
20022,160
20031,906
20041,872
20051,687
20062,117
20071,609
20081,823
20091,947
20102,478
20112,632
20126,703
201312,623
20148,690
20155,085
20169,021
201711,226
201812,546
201917,808
20208,417
202116,278
20229,471
20236,937
Share going to the top destination
34.4%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Libya 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. Türkiye29,478
  2. Italy29,343
  3. Jordan28,839
  4. Israel19,768
  5. Canada10,737
  6. Tunisia10,180
  7. Malta6,607
  8. Sudan3,742
  9. Australia2,812
  10. Egypt2,564
  11. Algeria2,364
  12. Chad1,708

Living abroad by year

78k157k19901995200020052010201520202024
78k157k19902000201020202024
Data table
199078,841
199581,041
200080,451
200581,361
201099,826
2015119,270
2020145,103
2024156,874
Living abroad, 2024
156,874
Change since 2000
+95.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
18.8%
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 Libya by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B21,751
  2. A2118
  3. G2113
  4. A174
  5. F168
  6. G160
  7. J133
  8. D26
  9. F220
  10. B217

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

1,4942,987201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,4942,98720172019202120232025
Data table
2017765
2018924
2019969
2020532
2021588
20221,447
20232,325
20242,987
20252,375
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR292
  2. IR159
  3. IR558
  4. DV52
  5. CR111
  6. F310
  7. F48
  8. FX5
Immigrant visas, FY2025
309
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
15
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 Libya who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Libya with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

4609202015201620172018201920202021202220232024
460920201520172019202120232024
Data table
2015730
2016640
2017780
2018500
2019510
2020510
2021410
2022710
2023920
2024590
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens270
  2. Employment-based preferences150
  3. Diversity visa lottery100
  4. Refugees and asylees50
  5. Family-sponsored preferences20
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Libya)
590
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Libya)
410
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
2,310
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 Libya (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Libya (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor2,913
  2. Study346
  3. Family128
  4. Work92
  5. Other47

Visas issued by year

10k20k201020122014201620182020202220242025
10k20k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201020,051
20113,395
201210,740
201316,484
201413,723
20152,621
20161,933
20172,389
20182,049
20192,549
20201,398
20211,506
20223,310
20233,323
20243,623
20253,526
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
235
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 Libya, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025101402102700
202451952203250
2023023536549015
202202153355850
2021027031588010
2020026548549015
2019039555061510
2018035053546030
2017045582049015
201654801,04531015
2015154501,48024510
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 Libya, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

7142005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202022–232024–252025–26
7142005–062009–102013–142017–182022–232025–26
Data table
2005–061
2006–074
2007–086
2008–092
2009–103
2010–114
2011–1214
2012–1310
2013–142
2014–152
2015–163
2016–172
2017–184
2018–191
2019–204
2020–211
2022–236
2023–242
2024–257
2025–263
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Short-term1
  2. Specialist Skills1
  3. Core 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 Libya 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

36722012201420162018202220242025
36722012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201235
201347
201458
201557
201654
201767
201867
201963
202272
202371
202460
202568
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident14
  2. Dependent12
  3. Student11
  4. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services9
  5. Long-Term Resident5
  6. Spouse or Child of Japanese National5
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident4
  8. Designated Activities3
  9. Business Manager2
  10. Trainee1
Residents, December 2025
68
In work-related statuses
12
Share in work-related statuses
17.6%
Students
11
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 Libya

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

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Italy15,82112,7872,13813.5%
Malta8,4796,0512,02023.8%
Greece6,9075,3761,42220.6%
Spain2,9331,85486229.4%

Applications by year

41k83k200920102011201220132014201520172018201920202021202220232024
41k83k200920122015201920222024
Data table
200937,047
201046,184
201110,656
201249,680
201382,586
201448,114
2015247
20179,846
20189,928
201911,254
20202,694
20214,759
202216,543
202324,428
202434,140
Refusal rate, 2024
18.9%
Refusal rate, 2019
20.5%
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 Libya in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons1,429
  2. Family1,061
  3. Education454
  4. Work203
First permits by country
  1. Germany1,138
  2. Italy558
  3. Spain553
  4. France224
  5. Malta138
  6. Netherlands95
  7. Belgium85
  8. Serbia47
  9. Greece46
  10. Poland43
  11. Hungary29
  12. Sweden23
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card55
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)20
  3. Researchers4
  4. Other paid activities124
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
159
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
1,081
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
4,908
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
160
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
22,755
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
1,110
Changed status into work, 2025
87
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
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 Libya 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
Denmark2025200101
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland20251257
Austria2025204225-21
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 Libya 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 reasons4,105
  2. Family reasons1,985
  3. Neither tolerated nor permitted1,960
  4. Application for a residence title pending1,855
  5. Tolerated stay (Duldung)1,355
  6. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure1,235
  7. Permanent residence title1,205
  8. Special residence rights and national visas905
  9. Employment395
  10. Education and training345
  11. EU free movement70

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

8,13816k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
8,13816k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201412,586
201513,123
201614,265
201714,805
201814,780
201915,295
202014,900
202114,550
202215,940
202316,275
202416,060
202515,410
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
15,415
With a residence title for employment
395
Permanent residence title
1,205
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Libya

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

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Austria1——
Bangladesh1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Burkina Faso1——
Canada1——
Chad1——
China1——
Croatia1——
Egypt1——
France1——
Greece1——
Guinea1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Italy1—1
Japan1——
Mali1——
Malta1——
Morocco—2—
Netherlands1——
Nigeria1——
Palestine11—
Poland1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sudan1——
Syria1——
Tunisia1——
Türkiye12—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Yemen1——
Countries
40
Missions
45
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

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

Remittances received by year, US$ million

816200020032006
816200020032006
Data table
20009
200110
20027
20038
200410
200515
200616
Remittances received, 2006
US$16 million
Share of GDP, 2006
0.03%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2006

All corridors from Libya

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Libya → Italy
  • Libya → Germany
  • Libya → Türkiye
  • Libya → Malta
  • Libya → Greece
  • Libya → Spain
  • Libya → 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