Page 68 - valuing-diversity-guidance-for-labour-market-integration-of-migrants

Valuing diversity: guidance for labour market integration of migrants

One interesting variable to explore is the number of first residence permits
per nationality, since this is generally available and gives an approximate idea of
the current composition of the inflow of migrants to each country. It is also likely a
realistic one, if we consider that many instances of illegal status only occur after
the first permit expires.

Figure 8 Estonia: first residence permits by nationality of third-country citizens
(%), 2011

India, 1.1
China , 1.5
Georgia, 1.9 Others, 11.3
Turkey, 1.9
Belarus, 3.5
Russia, 42.4
United States, 4.2

Recognised non-
citizens, 13.2

Ukraine, 18.9

Source: Eurostat, first residence permits. Online data code [migr_resfirst].
As shown in Figure 8, most of the residence permits given to third-country
nationals in Estonia were requested by citizens of ex-USSR states such as the
Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia, which together account for
over 66%. This is entirely to the position in Latvia, with slight differences in its
composition. The percentage rises if we consider that the status of recognised
non-citizens is essentially attributed to individuals originating from the ex-Soviet
states, providing them with limited rights to develop activities in the receiving
country’s territory.
In Estonia and Latvia, although there may be cultural differences between
the native population and the immigrants from Russia or Ukraine, there is historic
proximity and the language barrier does not carry significant weight, due to the
legacy of compulsory Russian as a school subject. Nevertheless, proficiency in
the native language is a growing requirement for integration in these countries.
In countries such as the United Kingdom (with immigrants from south-
eastern Asia, Jamaicans and Africans), France (immigrants from Maghreb and

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