This collective volume analyzes the determinants that make for attractive labor immigration policies in different international settings with a view to providing academic input for informed decisions in the next phases of European immigration policies. Increasingly, priority has been given to encouraging third-country workers labelled as “highly qualified or skilled” or “talented” to choose the EU instead of other international destinations such as the US or Canada, and in this way meet the perceived needs of EU member states’ labor markets. A number of questions are critically discussed, including: Is there a trade-off between the openness of migration policies and the granting of rights (i.e. more openness, fewer rights)? What obstacles prevent the recognition of foreign qualifications and skills? Can labor market “needs” be effectively determined? And what should be key priorities for the EU in the years to come?

Findings are presented in four sections: rights and discrimination; qualifications, skills and needs; international perspectives; the next generation of the EU immigration policy.

Foreword by: Cecilia Malmstrom