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American still favourite land of opportunity for expats
| Published: | 5 Jul at 6 PM |
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An annual survey has revealed that the United States is still the land of opportunity most preferred by migrants.
The Organisation for Economic Co-opportunity and Development’s 2011 figures confirm that, yet again, the USA is the top destination for relocation. More than a million migrants arrived on its shores last year, according to the OECD’s International Migration Outlook.
Russia was the second most popular destination, attracting 413,000 expats in 2012, although most of the new arrivals were temporary rather than permanent. The survey noted that expats living in Russia travel frequently between neighbouring states but are now classed as migrants under OECD rules.
Spain continued as a popular expat hub, with 349,000 migrants, and the UK allowed 321,000 foreigners to enter on a permanent basis, most of whom were taking advantage of the EU free movement laws. Immigration levels in the richest countries are rising again, but still remain lower than before the 2008 financial crash.
According to an OECD spokesperson, many countries are now restricting the recruitment of overseas workers in order to protect the indigenous workforce from the threat of unemployment. Australia’s points-based system is being copied by other countries, as are its investment and entrepreneurship visas.
International students are now forming a considerable part of migrant numbers, with totals rising year-on-year. In 2012, 2.6 million students were studying at overseas universities, with a good number coming from the UK in an attempt to avoid the recent soaring increases in UK tuition fees.
Seven out of the 34 OECD states have modified immigration requirements in order to attract a higher number of overseas students. The education sector is of importance economically, and governments are hoping to retain graduates on a permanent basis.
The Organisation for Economic Co-opportunity and Development’s 2011 figures confirm that, yet again, the USA is the top destination for relocation. More than a million migrants arrived on its shores last year, according to the OECD’s International Migration Outlook.
Russia was the second most popular destination, attracting 413,000 expats in 2012, although most of the new arrivals were temporary rather than permanent. The survey noted that expats living in Russia travel frequently between neighbouring states but are now classed as migrants under OECD rules.
Spain continued as a popular expat hub, with 349,000 migrants, and the UK allowed 321,000 foreigners to enter on a permanent basis, most of whom were taking advantage of the EU free movement laws. Immigration levels in the richest countries are rising again, but still remain lower than before the 2008 financial crash.
According to an OECD spokesperson, many countries are now restricting the recruitment of overseas workers in order to protect the indigenous workforce from the threat of unemployment. Australia’s points-based system is being copied by other countries, as are its investment and entrepreneurship visas.
International students are now forming a considerable part of migrant numbers, with totals rising year-on-year. In 2012, 2.6 million students were studying at overseas universities, with a good number coming from the UK in an attempt to avoid the recent soaring increases in UK tuition fees.
Seven out of the 34 OECD states have modified immigration requirements in order to attract a higher number of overseas students. The education sector is of importance economically, and governments are hoping to retain graduates on a permanent basis.
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