Thinking of Migrating this 2023? Take Advantage of these Legal Changes in Various Countries

The European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are usually the most “requested” destinations by migrants in search of employment and better living conditions. At the same time, these destinations tend to be the most restrictive with the entry of migrants, but their economic conditions have made them dependent on the labor they represent, so by 2023 the regulations favor those who choose to seek opportunities abroad. 

Migrating, a Serious Matter

We have almost passed the first quarter of the 21st century. In less than 25 years, migration and the surrounding rules in the world have changed considerably. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Atocha attacks in Spain, the attack on Charlie Hebdó in France, the wars in North Africa and the Middle East, poverty in Latin America, and even the pandemic itself have created physical or imaginary walls for millions of people who seek to migrate. But there is something that has not changed so much, the countries of the so-called “first world” continue to require labor, qualified or not, from developing countries. It is there where opportunities open up for those who intend to emigrate, legally, towards Europe, the United States, Canada or Oceania.

Spain, One Step Ahead of Europe

The Spanish government has taken an impressive step, in a context of global economic difficulties, with indicators that have Spaniards divided on support for the Sánchez government. Spain will make the entry of migrants more flexible, as well as support the regularization of thousands of irregular migrants who are already in Spanish territory. The Iberian country is one of the most affected, year after year, with the waves of illegal migration from North Africa and other parts of Europe, which is why the change in the Immigration Law approved in 2022 is striking. Now, Spanish businessmen can hire foreign workers in their countries of origin following a program in which the migrant must return to their place of origin, but beyond "returning them to their reality” the plan proposes allowing the extension of the stay of those workers who comply to the proposed rules.

This allows thousands of workers to reach Spain legally or, if they were already there illegally, seek regularization.

The benefits are also extended to foreign students who were unable to work in the country. Now they will be able to do so, in addition to the option of working on the peninsula after finishing their studies. The opening has not gone unnoticed, criticism from the opposition focuses on the wave of migrants it could bring and the difficult control it could represent. For Latin America, it could represent an important opportunity for South American workers, mainly Colombians, Venezuelans and Ecuadorians, who immigrate to Spain the most in search of employment.

You can also read: This is Title 42, the Norm to Turn Away Latinos from the United States

America, Has Biden Done Enough?

Joe Biden came to power with a speech totally contrary to Trump's, the xenophobia of the previous government would become a greater openness towards migration. However, as a national security issue, migration is a difficult issue for any US president. According to academics Ricardo Hauffman and Dany Bahar, from Harvard University, Biden's numbers are far from adjusting to the reality that the US economy requires. Barely 130,000 visas for unskilled temporary workers and less than 100,000 for skilled workers, do not make it possible to meet the labor demand of the world's largest economy.

For academics, the United States could support the arrival of millions of migrants, who are also essential if the country wants to continue on the path of growth. Despite Biden's speech, it remains difficult to enter the United States to work legally, so the work programs for foreigners are unchanged by 2023.

Canada, Growing with Migrants

The North American country is clear that if it wants to grow it depends entirely on migrants, so the Canadian government has announced that it will increase the quota of foreign workers to 1.5 million in three years. That is, between 2023 and 2025 it allows the entry of 500,000 workers per year. This represents an opportunity mainly for Latin American migrants whose entrance to the United States is further away. However, migrating to Canada has higher requirements, language proficiency, certifications, or titles are required depending on the type of industry to which you aspire, there is also the challenge of adapting to the climate. At least until 2032, Canada aspires to increase the number of migrants it receives as the only way to address the birth rate and labor demand problem.

Australia, an Interesting Option

The country has a labor deficit, despite this it has tight control over the number of migrants entering. The government has announced the expansion of quotas for foreign workers, going from 160 to 195 thousand people. In addition, the Australian government has invested in expediting pending visa procedures to quickly meet the demand for labor. Like Canada, Australia requires skilled workers in different areas of the industry, so the requirements are similar in terms of language, certifications, and tests for applicants, in addition to the obvious life change that moving to the southernmost country in the world represents.