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Using a point system for selecting immigrants

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  • Massimiliano Tani

    (University of New South Wales (Canberra), Australia, and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

Restricting immigration to young and skilled immigrants using a point system, as in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, succeeds in selecting economically desirable immigrants and provides orderly management of population growth. But the point system cannot fix short-term skilled labor shortages in a timely manner nor prevent poor labor market outcomes for immigrants, since domestic employers can undervalue schooling and work experience acquired abroad. Furthermore, the efficacy of a point system can be compromised if unscreened visa categories receive higher priority.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimiliano Tani, 2014. "Using a point system for selecting immigrants," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2014:n:24
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    Cited by:

    1. Nejad, Maryam Naghsh & Schurer, Stefanie, 2022. "Cognitive and non-cognitive abilities of immigrants: New perspectives on migrant quality from a selective immigration country," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 107-124.
    2. Tani, Massimiliano, 2018. "Selective Immigration, Occupational Licensing, and Labour Market Outcomes of Foreign-Trained Migrants," IZA Discussion Papers 11370, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Piracha, Matloob & Tani, Massimiliano & Tchuente, Guy, 2017. "Immigration Policy and Remittance Behaviour," IZA Discussion Papers 10927, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Ritzen, Jo & Kahanec, Martin, 2017. "A Sustainable Immigration Policy for the EU," IZA Policy Papers 126, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Geis, Wido & Nintcheu, J. Michaelle & Vogel, Sandra, 2016. "Fachkräfte für Deutschland: Potenziale einer gesteuerten Zuwanderung," IW-Analysen, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) / German Economic Institute, volume 105, number 105.
    6. Tani, Massimiliano, 2018. "Selective immigration policies, occupational licensing, and the quality of migrants’ education-occupation match," GLO Discussion Paper Series 206, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    7. Juan Carlos Upegui Mejía, 2020. "Transparencia estatal y datos personales : el problema de la publicidad de la información personal en poder del Estado : estudio comparado México-Colombia," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Derecho, number 1177, march.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    migrants; immigration policy; selection; point system;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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