Table 1.
Conditions of recruitment and temporary residence in selected countries
| Country | Admission conditions | Availability of domestic workers as grounds for refusal | Quotas | Length of stay (possibility for renewal) |
| Australia | Nominated by employer (exceptional stay of 3 months) | Yes | No | 2 years (renewable once) |
| 4 years (renewable for teachers) | ||||
| 3 months to 4 years for business specialists | ||||
| Canada | ||||
| Work permit required | Preliminary authorization | Yes | No | Maximum 3 years (renewable) |
| No work permit required | Bilateral agreements | No | No | Maximum 9 months (renewable) |
| United States | ||||
| H-1B (specialists) | Prevailing wage required BA (4-year degree) + practice in the occupation | No | Yes | Initial admission for 3 years (renewable once) |
| O (extraordinary ability) | Consultation with peers | No | No | Up to 10 years, depending on activity (must continue to work in field of expertise) |
| United Kingdom | Employer must apply for work permit | Yes a | No | Up to 4 years (renewals possible) |
| Restricted to highly skilled persons ('key workers') | ||||
| Adequate command of English | ||||
| France | Employer must apply for work permit | Yes a | No | 9 months (renewable once and in exceptional cases twice) |
| Netherlands | Employer must apply for work permit | Yes a | No | 1 year (renewable) |
| Germany | Employer must apply for work permit | Yes | No | 1 year (renewable) |
(a) Exceptions for certain activities, or pay-related Sources: OECD, Trends in International Migration, 1998 and 1999 Editions, Paris