Table 1.
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