About the Migration Governance Indicators

Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings

Introduction

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings

Migrants' rights

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

Law on Migration and Aliens promulgated in April 2021 creates a national migration governance system and sets up the Migration Authority Abroad (Autoridad Migratoria en el Exterior), besides the Migration Policy Council and the National Migration Service.
Migrants and their families have access to kindergarten, basic and secondary education, irrespective of their migration status.
All migrants can access government-funded health services under the same conditions as Chilean citizens.

Areas with potential for further development

Only permanent residents are allowed to be self-employed on the same terms as nationals.
Temporary student visa-holders are not allowed to work and study at the same time
There are few Intercultural communication programmes at the different levels of the educational system.

Key findings

Whole of government approach

Migration governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Department of Aliens and Migration of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security is the body responsible for the formulation, implementation and follow-up of national migration policy
Law on Migration and Aliens (2021) addresses the integration of immigrants, including through the establishment of the National Migration Service.
Agenda Mujer (the Women’s Agenda) and Agenda Migraciones (the Migration Agenda) are examples of migration policy coherence on a cross-cutting basis.
The Panel on Access to Justice for Migrants and Foreigner comprises the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, the Investigations Police of Chile, the Carabineros de Chile, the National Institute of Human Rights and the Public Defender’s Office.

Areas with potential for further development

Chile has a legislative framework for migration matters that lacks an implementation plan in the form of an updated strategy document.
There is no evidence of regular consultations with decentralized levels of government.

Key findings

Partnerships

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

Chile participates as an Associate State in the MERCOSUR regional agreement that promotes labor mobility.
The Law on Associations and Citizen Participation in Governance (2011) includes migrant communities in all participatory forums.
Chile has a long-standing policy of maintaining links with its diaspora, including through the creation in 2010 of the Interministerial Committee for the Chilean Community Abroad.

Areas with potential for further development:

Chile lacks formal mechanisms for collaboration with the private sector in the implementation of migration policy.
The Government does not involve civil society organizations on a regular or frequent basis in migration agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related actions.

Key findings

Well-being of migrants

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

The country has different types of visas to attract specific labour skills.
The Chilean system of academic accreditation has mechanisms for the recognition of migrants' qualifications.
Chile currently maintains bilateral agreements on labour migration matters with Argentina, Canada and Spain.

Areas with potential for further development:

Chile has no national assessment for monitoring the demand for immigrant labour.
There are currently no specific programmes for managing labour immigration or granting visas in line with labour market demand.
The Government has no specific measures for promoting gender equality for migrants in the workforce.

Key findings

Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

The Emergency Warning System launched in 2017 sends out mass alerts by text, audio and vibration to all population in the event of a natural disaster, in conjunction with the network of ChileAtiende branches.
Chile has a strategy for assisting migrants in the event of a crisis in the country.

Areas with potential for further development:

Chile has a strategy for dealing with environmental degradation and the adverse impacts of climate change, though it does not include migration-related stipulations.
The policy on migration and foreign nationals makes no provision for the long-term reintegration of migrants who have fled the country during a crisis.
The post-crisis regulatory framework includes a series of laws that do not contain specific provisions on migration for post-crisis recovery.

Key findings

Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas

Border complexes serve to control the flows of people entering and leaving Chile through authorized border crossing points where several agencies operate.
The government trains border personnel regularly on migration and human rights.
Chile has provisions to ensure that the detention of migrants is used only as a measure of last resort.
Circular No. 39 of 2016 of the Labor Directorate regulates the special inspection procedure for foreign workers and in the event of indications of migrant smuggling and/or human trafficking.

Areas with potential for further development: