About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
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
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
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
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
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
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 Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of El Salvador migration 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 Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • In El Salvador, the National Health Promotion Policy (2022) promotes non-discrimination by nationality, allowing migrants access to health services.
  • The Law on Growing Together for the Comprehensive Protection of Early Childhood, Childhood and Adolescence (2022) encompasses the rights of all children and adolescents, regardless of their nationality.
  • Under the El Salvador+ Services Programme (2022), government institutions provide services to the diaspora in health, finance, investment, education, housing, and the obtaining of documents.
  • The Shelter for Returning Migrant Women run by the Salvadoran Institute for the Advancement of Women, provides care for returned migrant women.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Further developing and applying the unified diaspora register.
  • Implementing agreements with other countries on the portability of social security rights.
Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Vice Ministry of Diaspora and Human Mobility is responsible for devising, coordinating and interlinking programmes for Salvadorans in situations of human mobility
  • The Legislative Assembly is preparing a new Law on Human Mobility.
  • The Special Law on Migration and Foreign Nationals (2019) updated and consolidated the earlier Law on Migration (1958) and Law on Foreign Nationals (1986).
  • In 2023, the Vice Ministry of Diaspora and Human Mobility created the Institutional Policy on Human Mobility.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Creating a coordination mechanism for compiling and harmonizing migration data collected by the various government agencies
  • Expanding the coverage of embassies, consulates and permanent missions.
Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • El Salvador plays an active part in international agencies and forums, as well as in integration processes, promoting the awareness of issues regarding human mobility and migration.
  • A new memorandum of understanding was signed in 2022 designed to ensure that Salvadorans in the United States are protected against job discrimination.
  • The country involves the diaspora in implementing development activities through programmes such as the Diaspora Affairs Attachés, Realize Your Dreams and the Mentoring Project.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Drawing up a regional agreement to promote labour mobility.
  • Taking the private sector on board for agenda-setting and implementing migration-related programmes.
Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Under the Programme on Regular, Orderly and Safe Labour Migration, El Salvador issues temporary work permits for Salvadorans.
  • In 2022, El Salvador signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to provide labour rights training for the Salvadoran diaspora.
  • The country promotes respect for the rights of migrants abroad by means of service windows available at diplomatic missions.
  • El Salvador has been facilitating the accreditation formalities for studies completed abroad for Salvadorans and foreigners by reforming the Special Regulations on Recruitment.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Participating in an international scheme with qualification frameworks.
  • Developing formal measures to promote the ethical recruitment of migrant workers.
  • Reinforcing the Labour Mobility Programme and the Consular Network.
Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The National Policy for Civil Protection and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (2017) is based on comprehensive disaster risk management.
  • The Central American Integration System, of which El Salvador is part, updated the Regional Climate Change Strategy (2019), which addresses internal migration.
  • The Panorama of Humanitarian Needs and the Humanitarian Response Plan are the country’s recovery strategies in times of crisis.
  • In 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up a virtual consulate to provide assistance, guidance and information remotely to Salvadorans living in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Taking human mobility into account in national environmental and climate change policies.
  • Promoting the lasting reintegration of migrants.
Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Migration School provides regular training for employees of the General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Nationals.
  • El Salvador has programs focused on assisting returnees, such as the project New Opportunities: Reintegration of Returning Migrants into the Production Sector, and the Training and Business Ventures Project for Returning Migrant Women.
  • El Salvador has had in place the Protocol on Assistance for Women Returnees since 2021.
  • Through the Special Law on Comprehensive Assistance and Protection for Persons Subject to Forced Internal Displacement (2020), El Salvador provides psychological, legal and social assistance for victims of forced internal displacement.

Areas with potential for further development

  • Creating an integrated system for monitoring expired visas.
  • Updating the Special Law against Trafficking in Persons (2014) and the National Policy against Trafficking in Persons (2013)
  • Implementing programmes to attract Salvadorans who have emigrated.

2023 September

Migration Governance Indicators Second Profile: Republic of El Salvador