Skilled immigrants in the global economy: prospects for international cooperation on recognition of foreign qualifications

Skilled migration is an important resource for governments seeking to build their country's human-capital base and make the most of global trade and investment opportunities. But immigrants' economic contribution depends on their ability to use their skills productively in destination countries. In many cases, migrant professionals face barriers transferring their skills and experience across borders. International agreements on the recognition of foreign qualifications can lessen these barriers. This report analyzes the road to such mutual recognition agreements (MRAs), discussing the successes and challenges of existing MRAs and evaluating the prospects for cooperation between the United States and the European Union (EU). One barrier to transferring skills across borders is professional regulation. Domestic regulations to restrict entry into professional occupations and protect the public from poorly qualified practitioners were, in most cases, designed decades or even centuries ago - when policymakers could not have contemplated current levels of global mobility and economic interdependence. These systems are less equipped to deal with foreign-trained practitioners, who must often undergo time-consuming and expensive assessment or training to demonstrate their competence.

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