All Publications

Triple Win or Zero Sum Game? Opportunities, Borders and Future Prospects for Circular Migration Programmes in the German Context.

SVR Info | September 2011

(Only available in German)

Ideally, everyone stands to gain from circular migration or temporary work permits for third country nationals in Europe who then return to their country of origin with the knowledge and skills they acquired: the country of origin, the host country and the immigrants themselves. But is this really the case? In this paper, the Expert Council analyses circular migration programmes which aim to provide temporary European work permits for people from emerging and developing countries. It examines the potential they have to link migration and development policy in a meaningful way, what is required to achieve positive economic impacts on the countries of origin and what the benefits of circular migration are for the host country and the migrants themselves. The Expert Council's recommendations are directed at political actors and employer associations. The Expert Council, for example, recommends testing and evaluating programmes for circular migration in a pilot context.

Good Foundations: German Residence Law and Possibilities for Implementing Circular Migration Programmes.

SVR Info | September 2011

(Only available in German)

In this information paper, the Expert Council – to supplement the information paper "Triple Win or Zero Sum Game?" – presents a minimum definition of circular migration programmes. It identifies their core elements and looks at how circular migration programmes can be adapted to German residence law. Based on its analyses, it recommends testing circular migration programmes in pilot projects as an instrument of migration management with a development policy goal.

A City’s Calling Card? Foreigners’ Registration Offices and the Services They Offer Highly Skilled Immigrants.

SVR Info | August 2011

(Only available in German)

As the calling card for their city, foreigners' registration offices play a key role in the international competition to attract skilled foreign workers. But what can they actually do to compete for highly skilled immigrants and how well are their services adapted to this task? In this case study, the Expert Council evaluates the services of foreigners' registration offices for highly skilled workers in Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt and provides recommendations for further, across-the-board improvements. This includes becoming more service-oriented, processing work and residence permits more quickly, increasing transparency, improving language proficiency and acting as guides for newcomers. It is the first study for modernising foreigners' registration offices and administrative practices dealing with highly skilled migrants in Germany.

Migration Country 2011.

Annual Report 2011 with Migration Barometer.

April 2011

The Annual Report analyses and evaluates immigration, emigration and German migration policy in an international context. The Expert Council sees progress in immigration policy but also an ongoing need for reform. To reform migration management, the Expert Council presents a three-pillar model. The results of the first Migration Barometer, which was developed by SVR, are presented in this Annual Report. It surveys the population on its view of migration issues.

Economic Independence as an Integration Strategy. Taking Stock of the Structures to Promote Integration in Germany.

Study | September 2010

(Only available in German)

More and more people with a migration background are self-employed. However, despite high rates of company start-ups, there are also high rates of bankruptcy and insolvency. As a result, giving targeted support to prospective start-up owners and freelancers with a migration background is a high priority. In this study, the Expert Council evaluates existing support structures. Around 480 self-employed individuals with Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese migration background were interviewed. The analysis shows that there is a great need for support services specially adapted to this target group and that the target group is often unaware of existing services. The Expert Council provides a range of recommendations which could help optimise the support infrastructure geared toward support organisations and policymakers. For example, a guidance system should be systematically established and the chambers of commerce and industry should be involved in building bridges. In addition, access to support services should be facilitated and awareness raised about the economic and integrative potential of freelancers with a migration background.

Immigration Society 2010.

Annual Report 2010 with Integration Barometer.

May 2010

The Annual Report analyses and evaluates the progress of integration in Germany. It found that day-to-day integration is largely successful and that there is strong sense of mutual trust in German society. Integration is accepted as a pressing sociopolitical issue in the political realm. The Expert Council, however, also identified problem areas and a need for reform, for example, in the area of education. The results of the first Integration Barometer, which was developed by the SVR, are presented in this Annual Report. It captures public opinion on integration issues.

Humanity and National Interests on a Collision Course: School Access for Children of Irregular Immigrants.

SVR Info | April 2010

(Only available in German)

All children have a right to education. But children without residence status often do not attend school because they are afraid of being discovered. This information paper, which was created by the Expert Council for the Stiftung Mercator, is dedicated to the conflict between humanitarian requirements and national interests. It investigates the legal status quo in the German Laender, describes non-legal and administrative obstacles to school access and provides an estimate of the number of children without residence status in Germany. Finally, the Expert Council presents a range of recommendations for actors at federal, state and local level and for non-government actors. One of the core recommendations is the elimination of reporting requirements for school administrations and authorities.

Much Accomplished, Much To Do: Recommendations for the New Government Coalition.

SVR Info | October 2009

(Only available in German)

A lot has happened in integration and migration policy during the last legislative period. But there are still many pressing unsolved issues and there is an enormous need for political action. In this paper, the Expert Council recommends a list of urgent items related to integration and migration policy for the German federal government, which convened in October 2009 for the 17th legislative term. It focuses on migration management, the recognition of foreign credentials, naturalisation, humanitarian concerns as well as needs-driven support for children.

Germany’s Talent Shortage and Migration Management Revisited

SVR Info | May 2009

(Only available in German)

To stay competitive in the future, the German economy needs more skilled workers than ever before. But Germany is facing a shortage of talent, both foreign and domestic. The qualitative loss brought about by emigration is not compensated for by foreign immigration. In this paper, the Expert Council explains to what extent the qualification level of the working age population in Germany has changed as a result of emigration, immigration and integration. To reverse this trend, it recommends, for example, a flexible and transparent migration management system for skilled workers as well as actively recruiting highly skilled workers abroad.