9 Countries Where Immigrants Aren’t Welcome in 2025
Moving to a new country sounds like a fresh start, but not every place is open to newcomers. In fact, some nations have shut the door to immigrants almost completely. Here are countries where immigration is nearly impossible, no matter how hard you try.
United Arab Emirates
Credit: flickr
Most people living in the UAE have no path to citizenship. Long stays do not lead to belonging. The system is built to allow labor without offering permanence. While citizenship is now an option for certain exceptional professions, only a small fraction of the population holds national status, which is how the government intends to keep it.
North Korea
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Foreigners rarely set foot in North Korea unless under extreme government control. Immigration isn’t an option, as the regime treats outsiders as threats to its power. Entry is limited to brief, heavily monitored visits, and permanent settlement is unthinkable under hyper-isolationist policies.
Bhutan
Credit: pexels
In Bhutan, the focus is on keeping things as they’ve always been. Foreigners don’t settle here because the government doesn’t want change disrupting its Buddhist rhythm. The limited access and high costs to even visit mean that immigration simply isn’t part of the equation.
Qatar
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Qatar rarely grants permanent residency to foreigners. Even though migrants comprise over 85% of its population, stays are largely tied to work contracts. There are new, limited paths for long-term status, but the state ensures most workers depart when employment ends.
Kuwait
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Foreigners keep Kuwait’s economy running, but the state keeps them at a distance. Citizenship isn’t offered, no matter how long one stays. Workers operate under employer sponsorship, a system that leaves them dependent on their employers and unable to choose where their life unfolds.
Japan
Credit: flickr
Meeting visa requirements in Japan doesn’t guarantee a path to permanent residency. While labor gaps exist and the government has shown some recent openness to foreign workers, the system still prioritizes careful selection and integration. Bureaucratic hurdles and cultural expectations often narrow the path to long-term settlement for many.
Hungary
Credit: pexels
Hungary’s border controls were tightened when the government aligned migration with national risk. Leaders framed outside influence as a cultural threat, not a contribution. Many seeking asylum encounter legal dead ends. Entry still hinges on origin more than need or individual capability.
Poland
Credit: pexels
Foreigners from distant regions often find Poland inaccessible. Leadership makes no secret of preferring European migrants. Religious and cultural alignment matter more than humanitarian urgency. Prospective immigrants learn quickly that fitting the national profile counts far more than their need to relocate.
Denmark
Credit: pexels
Denmark has set a high threshold for anyone hoping to stay. The focus isn’t only on legal status but also on whether a person fits into the national framework. Residency relies on a selective screening that measures personal behavior over time.
Eritrea
Credit: flickr
Movement in or out of Eritrea is heavily restricted. Citizens can’t leave without state approval, and those who try face harsh punishment. The country allows few outsiders in and tightly monitors anyone who stays. Immigration isn’t part of the national vision and never has been.
Switzerland
Credit: flickr
Approval to stay in Switzerland is tied to a bunch of factors. Officials examine social involvement, language fluency, and perceived fit with local norms. Citizenship is granted sparingly, and for many, the legal path slows until interest fades or requirements become too burdensome.
Australia
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Australia does not offer second chances to those who arrive without a visa. The government runs offshore camps where conditions have drawn global criticism. Its policy removes the option to resettle, even for those with valid asylum claims.
Israel
Credit: flickr
Resettlement in Israel depends almost entirely on background. For those without Jewish ancestry, options are limited from the start. African asylum seekers face indefinite delays or forced removal. The system is designed to preserve a demographic vision rooted in national identity.
Singapore
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
In Singapore, people are brought in to fill jobs and are expected to leave once their role is done. Unless you meet strict salary and education benchmarks, staying beyond a work pass is unlikely.
Liechtenstein
Credit: pixabay
Liechtenstein uses population caps to manage immigration and prefers residents with local ties. Most applications don’t make it past initial review. Permanent settlement is only considered in very limited cases.