Changes in the 21st century have increased the complexity of global migration

Economic globalisation
Globalisation is leading to the emergence of new source areas and host destinations
Inter-regional:
Migration of highly-skilled workers (graduates and science experts) China, India + Brazil →
USA.
Migration of workers India, Pakistan + Bangladesh → oil-producing Gulf states; Saudi Arabia
in high labour demand and free flow of remittances
Intra-regional:
Increase in international migrant stock of ASEAN member states. Low skilled workers
Cambodia → fast growing economy in Thailand and Malaysia
Increased migration in South America → Argentina + Chile for employment and higher
wages.
Return migrant flows within EU as young workers with low-skilled jobs return home with
higher skills to more prestigious jobs.
Internal:
Within EDCs, India + Brazil, where economic development is concentrated in core areas /
large urban centres
South-South migrant corridors

Increasing above south → north flows to escape conflict / for fast growing economies and
increased cost of moving from South to North
Migration policies
Border walls:
• 2015 migrant crisis led to border fortification. Global migrant deaths increasing as
movement is restricted through bottlenecks
• Despite globalisation hostile borders prevent flow + creates humanitarian crisis
Very few border walls in WW2, 20 in 2005, 70 in 2015
‘Tear down this wall’ → ‘fortress mentality’
• Conflict over wall funding and segregates communities, increasing human rights
inequalities in development gap.
• Establish economic + political dominance and “anxieties they represent transcend
the nation-state boundaries on which they sit” – Tim Marshall, Divided 2018
E.g. – Hungary-Siberia wall
Stop migration into Europe through Greece (against policies of EU creation)
USA-Mexico wall
UN analysis of migration policies:
• 61% countries want to maintain current immigration levels
Mainly to target labour demands of economy
• 59% of policies aim to integrate non-nationals into their society
Much lower in Africa but 100% in Northern America; protection against discrimination a
high priority in all regions.
• 72% policies encourage return of their citizens
¾ of top 20 countries with largest number of citizens abroad (Mexico, Russia, China +
Afghanistan – conflict)

UK migration policy
Visas:
• EU citizens free to live/work in any of 28 member states, without a visa
After 3 months, EU migrants must prove they are working, a student or have sufficient funds
to support themselves without relying on benefits.
• To apply from outside the EU a visa is necessary
Tier 1 = investors + ‘exceptional talent’
Tier 2 = skilled workers (must be paid over £30,000 per year; a £10,000 increase from
2011)
Tier 3 = Unskilled labour; visas no longer given
Tier 4 = student visas
Tier 5 = short-term voluntary / educational programmes
Visas work points-based system and criteria has toughened (knowledge of English language,
need for a sponsor + agreeing to not claim benefits for a period of time)
Asylum seekers:
• Must first reach UK to claim. Housing + financial support by government until
application processed → granted refugee status or sent home.
High rate of success for appeals; in 2017 almost 1/3 heard in a lower asylum tribunal were
successful.
• UK committed to 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020 in international humanitarian
effort
• Lived in UK for 5+yrs without living elsewhere, can apply for British citizenship
Must pass English Language + Life in the UK tests + be of ‘good character’
2016 – Majority granted citizenship from Sub-Saharan Africa and S.Asia
Breaching terms of entry visas is illegal, estimated at 300,000 – 1+million in UK
Pakistan pro-emigration policy:
Aims to restrict increasing pressure on goods and services

Corridors of migrant flows create interdependence between countries

Bilateral migrant corridors
Flow of migrants between two countries often due to proximity, cost of travel, ease of
access, ease of sending remittances, employment opportunities / higher wages, push effects
of conflict / persecution, cultural / historic factors (language or former colonial influence).