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Zambia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
1,323
Top destination, 2023
United States
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
3,285
UK visas issued, 2025
3,319
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
10.7%
NationalityZMISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<ZMZAMBIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
ZM1<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Zambia 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 visits of up to 90 daysImmigration 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 Zambia move

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

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. United States360
  2. Japan218
  3. Australia195
  4. Germany111
  5. Canada90
  6. Finland57
  7. Netherlands48
  8. Sweden45
  9. New Zealand42
  10. Norway29
  11. Czechia23
  12. South Korea21
  13. Italy20
  14. Belgium15
  15. Denmark14

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

6621,323200020032006200920122015201820212023
6621,3232000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000441
2001590
2002750
2003622
2004706
2005967
20061,192
20071,024
20081,062
20091,144
20101,186
20111,237
20121,245
20131,238
20141,046
20151,072
20161,013
20171,139
2018985
20191,027
2020641
2021905
20221,127
20231,323
Share going to the top destination
27.2%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Zambia 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. Zimbabwe32,680
  2. Malawi30,614
  3. South Africa22,946
  4. Tanzania8,289
  5. Australia8,060
  6. Mozambique5,539
  7. Botswana4,661
  8. Namibia3,359
  9. China1,737
  10. Italy911
  11. Mali761
  12. Denmark726

Living abroad by year

67k134k19901995200020052010201520202024
67k134k19902000201020202024
Data table
199073,861
1995116,003
2000125,019
2005133,582
2010134,473
2015128,590
2020122,981
2024122,793
Living abroad, 2024
122,793
Change since 2000
-1.8%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
26.6%
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 Zambia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B22,113
  2. G4235
  3. F1229
  4. C1/D146
  5. J1130
  6. A2118
  7. G2113
  8. F235
  9. K127
  10. A124

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

2,4834,965201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,4834,96520172019202120232025
Data table
20172,296
20183,667
20193,133
20201,266
2021873
20223,733
20234,965
20243,711
20253,285
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. DV49
  2. IR234
  3. IR126
  4. IR525
  5. E319
  6. CR18
  7. F16
  8. I54
Immigrant visas, FY2025
196
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
21
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 Zambia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Zambia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

3056102015201620172018201920202021202220232024
305610201520172019202120232024
Data table
2015460
2016490
2017540
2018480
2019510
2020400
2021360
2022370
2023480
2024610
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens310
  2. Refugees and asylees210
  3. Employment-based preferences50
  4. Diversity visa lottery30
  5. Family-sponsored preferences10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)70
  2. Spouses and children30
  3. Other temporary workers30
  4. Intracompany transferees (L-1)10
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Zambia)
610
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Zambia)
420
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
6,010
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 Zambia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Zambia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor2,515
  2. Work462
  3. Study208
  4. Other79
  5. Family55

Visas issued by year

2,5015,002201020122014201620182020202220242025
2,5015,002201020132016201920222025
Data table
20103,764
20113,723
20123,877
20133,980
20143,675
20153,495
20163,269
20173,627
20183,907
20193,590
2020961
2021895
20223,734
20235,002
20244,054
20253,319
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
495
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 Zambia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20251580165605
20245575180850
202340952258010
2022060175700
20210451258510
2020025952020
20190401257010
20180451005510
20170251158530
2016025125400
2015040120300
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 Zambia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1482962005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1482962005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0625
2006–0726
2007–0854
2008–0943
2009–1014
2010–1115
2011–1275
2012–1340
2013–1412
2014–1510
2015–1610
2016–178
2017–1810
2018–1951
2019–2044
2020–2133
2021–2257
2022–23238
2023–24296
2024–25162
2025–26178
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills149
  2. Medium-term23
  3. Labour Agreement4
  4. Specialist Skills2
Granted, 2025–26
178
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.3%
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 Zambia 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

1272532012201420162018202220242025
1272532012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201283
201363
201474
201580
2016102
2017134
2018147
2019141
2022181
2023207
2024253
2025248
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services79
  2. Student61
  3. Dependent34
  4. Permanent Resident29
  5. Spouse or Child of Japanese National15
  6. Instructor10
  7. Designated Activities9
  8. Professor5
  9. Highly Skilled Professional3
  10. Business Manager1
Residents, December 2025
248
In work-related statuses
98
Share in work-related statuses
39.5%
Students
61
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 Zambia

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

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Germany1,3411,18814210.6%
Italy1,1171,037807.2%
Czechia2922197325.0%

Applications by year

3,0716,1422009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
3,0716,142200920122015201820212024
Data table
20092,545
20102,900
20112,801
20123,783
20134,644
20144,653
20154,554
20164,708
20175,577
20185,979
20196,142
2020870
2021430
20222,012
20232,659
20242,750
Refusal rate, 2024
10.7%
Refusal rate, 2019
6.8%
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 Zambia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education211
  2. Family194
  3. Work170
  4. Other reasons80
First permits by country
  1. Germany125
  2. Italy61
  3. Sweden52
  4. Ireland49
  5. Finland46
  6. Czechia38
  7. Netherlands38
  8. Serbia33
  9. Poland31
  10. Norway23
  11. Spain22
  12. Denmark21
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card7
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)21
  3. Researchers11
  4. Other paid activities131
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
7
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
135
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
597
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
5
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
3,342
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
137
Changed status into work, 2025
32
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
2
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 Zambia 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
Denmark202521361002
Sweden2025440162530
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202547245
Austria20251349
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

Foreign embassies and consulates in Zambia

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

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Brazil1——
China1——
Czechia1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
Ireland1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Morocco1——
Palestine1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Sweden1——
Türkiye1——
Countries
16
Missions
16
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

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

Remittances received by year, US$ million

202404200320062009201220152018202120242025
2024042003200720112015201920232025
Data table
200336
200448
200553
200658
200759
200868
200941
201044
201146
201273
201354
201458
201547
201638
201794
2018107
201998
2020135
2021240
2022243
2023246
2024334
2025404
Remittances received, 2025
US$404 million
Share of GDP, 2025
1.4%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Zambia, 2023
8.1%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Zambia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Zambia → 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