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Somalia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
22,585
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
302
UK visas issued, 2025
2,137
NationalitySOISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<SOSOMALIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
SO8<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Somalia 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 Somalia move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany6,720
  2. Canada5,170
  3. France1,734
  4. Netherlands1,453
  5. United States1,450
  6. Austria1,248
  7. Türkiye1,026
  8. Belgium862
  9. Italy785
  10. Finland645
  11. Switzerland475
  12. Sweden327
  13. New Zealand243
  14. Norway168
  15. Australia127

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

17k34k200020032006200920122015201820212023
17k34k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20009,124
20019,005
200210,878
20038,392
20049,351
200511,475
200616,124
200714,955
200821,255
200929,258
201022,384
201117,301
201223,145
201330,110
201428,123
201534,060
201631,789
201729,004
201831,878
201930,310
202018,096
202131,045
202219,812
202322,585
Share going to the top destination
29.8%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Somalia 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. Kenya401,953
  2. Ethiopia389,246
  3. Yemen285,211
  4. United Kingdom119,728
  5. Libya117,956
  6. Djibouti99,940
  7. Sweden74,146
  8. Uganda65,070
  9. Egypt50,036
  10. Saudi Arabia48,099
  11. South Africa42,516
  12. Canada34,668

Living abroad by year

968k1.94M19901995200020052010201520202024
968k1.94M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990599,233
1995791,721
2000758,781
2005756,046
20101,237,640
20151,719,780
20201,701,493
20241,935,594
Living abroad, 2024
1,935,594
Change since 2000
+155.1%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
20.8%
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 Somalia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B278
  2. G273
  3. K148
  4. A147
  5. A219
  6. F112
  7. G411
  8. J16
  9. G14
  10. K22

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

239478201720182019202020212022202320242025
23947820172019202120232025
Data table
2017155
2018207
2019167
2020106
2021163
2022211
2023478
2024423
2025302
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR21,014
  2. IR1878
  3. IR5276
  4. FX109
  5. F176
  6. DV71
  7. CR131
  8. F2A21
Immigrant visas, FY2025
2,492
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
62
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 Somalia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Somalia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

3,7807,5602015201620172018201920202021202220232024
3,7807,560201520172019202120232024
Data table
20156,800
20166,960
20177,400
20187,560
20193,750
20202,020
2021960
20221,040
20231,230
20242,030
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens1,170
  2. Refugees and asylees390
  3. Diversity visa lottery380
  4. Family-sponsored preferences80
  5. Employment-based preferences10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Somalia)
2,030
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Somalia)
2,440
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
430
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 Somalia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Somalia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Other958
  2. Family662
  3. Visitor367
  4. Study127
  5. Work23

Visas issued by year

1,5623,124201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,5623,124201020132016201920222025
Data table
20102,890
20112,039
20121,570
20131,534
20141,120
2015727
2016827
20171,145
20181,390
20192,170
20201,235
20212,577
20222,606
20232,964
20243,124
20252,137
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
55
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 Somalia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20250004,8450
20240055,8050
20230055,1750
20220002,9400
20210052,0800
202000201,0100
201900453,2800
201800552,1350
201700801,3850
201600751,3150
20150051,1650
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 Somalia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

112011–122021–222025–26
112011–122021–222025–26
Data table
2011–121
2019–201
2021–221
2022–231
2025–261
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
1
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 Somalia 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

21422012201420162018202220242025
21422012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20125
20136
20149
201510
201614
201715
201818
201922
202231
202336
202442
202541
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student19
  2. Long-Term Resident8
  3. Dependent4
  4. Permanent Resident3
  5. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services3
  6. Designated Activities3
  7. Researcher1
Residents, December 2025
41
In work-related statuses
4
Share in work-related statuses
9.8%
Students
19
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 Somalia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons14,865
  2. Family3,632
  3. Education136
  4. Work52
First permits by country
  1. Germany7,720
  2. France2,101
  3. Netherlands1,852
  4. Austria1,229
  5. Finland1,016
  6. Ireland990
  7. Italy885
  8. Belgium826
  9. Greece636
  10. Spain447
  11. Sweden285
  12. Norway216
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card2
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)6
  3. Researchers2
  4. Other paid activities42
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
3
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
6,895
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
9,210
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
800
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
138,036
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
5,071
Changed status into work, 2025
22
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
1
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 Somalia 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
Denmark202523006143
Sweden20251540071794
Netherlands20252,2100158301,3605
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202591039871
Austria2025725598127
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 Somalia 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 reasons36,385
  2. Application for a residence title pending8,235
  3. Family reasons5,485
  4. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure5,190
  5. Permanent residence title4,190
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted4,040
  7. Tolerated stay (Duldung)3,540
  8. Special residence rights and national visas790
  9. Employment110
  10. EU free movement55
  11. Education and training40

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

34k68k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
34k68k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201416,489
201523,350
201633,900
201738,675
201842,445
201945,305
202047,495
202151,570
202255,470
202360,295
202466,215
202568,060
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
68,060
With a residence title for employment
110
Permanent residence title
4,190
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 Somalia, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

1,1222,2442016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,1222,244201620182020202220242025
Data table
20161,421
20172,244
20181,056
2019306
2020417
2021931
2022923
2023621
2024384
2025649
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Asylum and protection475
  2. Family74
  3. Other reasons64
  4. Study31
  5. Work5
New permits, 2025
649
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
8,715
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
1,262
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 Somalia

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

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
China1——
Denmark1——
Egypt1——
Italy1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Türkiye11—
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Countries
8
Missions
9
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

All corridors from Somalia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

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