immigraatio

Immigraatio (immigration) is the process by which individuals move to a country other than their country of origin with the intention of settling there temporarily or permanently. It is one aspect of population movement, alongside emigraatio (emigration), which describes leaving a country to reside elsewhere.

Legal frameworks govern who may immigrate and under what conditions. Common channels include economic migration (work or skilled labor), family reunification, study visas, and humanitarian protection such as asylum or refugee status. Most countries require a visa or residence permit, with procedures assessing employment eligibility, language ability, health, and security.

Motivations and dynamics: People migrate for better employment, education, safety, or to join family. Push factors include conflict, persecution, and poverty; pull factors include higher wages, social services, and established migrant networks. Global events, demographic trends, and policy changes influence flows.

Impacts: Immigration alters the demographic structure and labor markets of the receiving country. It can raise the supply of skilled labor, support pension systems, or strain public services if integration is inadequate. Social and cultural effects may include greater linguistic diversity and innovation, as well as challenges around social cohesion and discrimination.

Policy and debate: Governments manage immigration through border controls, visa regimes, work permits, and integration policies (language training, recognition of qualifications, and anti-discrimination measures). Debates concern economic effects, national security, humanitarian obligations, and the social costs and benefits of openness versus restriction. Methods of measurement include stock and flow data, migration statistics, and asylum applications.