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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Guinea Bissau (hereafter referred to as Guinea Bissau) 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.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Guinea-Bissau’s Constitution of the Republic (1996) states that immigrants have the same rights as nationals to private-sector employment.
- As a member State, the country implements the ECOWAS General Convention on Social Security (2013) which guarantees the equal treatment and portability of social security rights for nationals of member States.
- Citizens of Guinea-Bissau residing abroad are allowed to vote in national elections (both presidential and legislative).
Areas with potential for further development
- Existing legislation does not impose barriers for access to health care by migrants, but conditions for equal access as nationals are not explicit either.
- The legislative framework does not include provisions for family reunification.
- The country does not have a specific policy or strategy in place to combat discrimination and xenophobia against migrants.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Guinea-Bissau developed a National Global Compact for Migration Action Plan (2021–2022) to work towards the achievement of the Compact’s priorities for the country.
- The Directorate General of Regional Integration oversees issues related to the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment in the Economic Community of West African States (1979).
- The National Platform on Migration seeks to enhance horizontal coordination among ministries.
Areas with potential for further development
- Guinea-Bissau does not have a national migration strategy.
- Legislation governing migration in the country is fragmented, and migration regulations are not easily accessible to the public.
- Migration data collection, analysis and dissemination are limited and do not take place in a regular manner.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Guinea-Bissau is part of the Migration Dialogue for West Africa and is also a member State of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa, CPLP).
- The country has signed bilateral agreements with Portugal on medical evacuation and health assistance in 1992 and on social security in 1994.
Areas with potential for further development
- There is no formal collaboration or communication with the diaspora communities to engage them in agenda-setting and the implementation of development policy.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- International students pay the same fees as nationals at the university level.
- National legislation also allows international students to work in the country after completion of their studies.
Areas with potential for further development
- National programmes related to gender equality in the labour market, do not specifically mention migrants.
- The country does not have a formal skills and qualifications accreditation system.
- There is no defined programme for managing labour immigration into the country, nor different types of visas to attract migrants with specific labour skills.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Clause of Definitive Local Integration for Long Term Refugees (2017 and 2018) allows refugees to acquire nationality from Guinea-Bissau with reduced costs and simplified procedures.
- The National Early Warning and Response Centre reports incidents that could cause a crisis to the Early Warning Directorate of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
Areas with potential for further development
- Existing communication in times of crisis or emergencies channels do not account for the specific vulnerabilities that migrants and other at-risk groups face.
- There are no emergency plans for citizens of Guinea-Bissau living abroad.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Guinea-Bissau signed an agreement with Spain (2008) covering multiple migration-related topics, including on the exchange of information on human trafficking and smuggling.
- The country encourages the return of nationals of Guinea-Bissau living abroad through measures such as fiscal and customs exemptions of personal goods.
- The National Committee to Prevent and Fight Against Human Trafficking implements the National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Trafficking in Persons (2020–2021).
Areas with potential for further development
- Guinea-Bissau does not have a system to monitor visa overstays.
- No specific or regular training is provided by the Government to border and immigration officers.
- The country does not have systems in place, including formal cooperation agreements with other countries, to trace and identify missing migrants within the national territory.
