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 country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Montenegro 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 dimesnsions 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

  • Migrant workers have equal access to Government-funded health services as citizens. 
  • Migrants have equal access to social protection as citizens.
  • Montenegro has concluded bilateral international agreements on the portability of social security and insurance with 25 countries, including 16 member States of the European Union. 
  • All migrants can apply for a permanent residence permit under equal conditions. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Migrants who have been issued a residence and work permit for seasonal employment do not have access to family reunification.
  • Foreigners can work in Montenegro only in jobs for which they have been issued a permit for.
  • Montenegro does not have a specific policy or strategy to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia or discrimination against migrants.
Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Strategy on Migration and Reintegration of Returnees in Montenegro for 2021–2025 aims to “harmonize and improve the existing legal framework in line with international standards and further strengthen the institutional and administrative capacity for integrated management of mixed migration”. 
  • The Interdepartmental Working Group is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy.
  • The Administration for Cooperation with the Diaspora–Expatriates cooperates with the diaspora and emigrants from Montenegro and their organizations to preserve and strengthen the State identity and affiliation with Montenegro and protect their rights abroad.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The Strategy on Migration and Reintegration of Returnees in Montenegro is not gender responsive.
  • Montenegro collects data on migration, but not all the data are publicly available.
Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Montenegro participates in the Budapest Process, the Prague Process as well as the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI) to promote orderly migration through dialogue, information-sharing and cooperation. 
  • In 2018, Montenegro signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy on strengthening cooperation on border management and migration.
  • Montenegro formally engages civil society organizations, the private sector and social partners in agenda-setting and addressing migration-related issues.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • The country’s participation in regular bilateral negotiations, discussions or consultations on migration issues with other countries is an area with potential for further development.
Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Montenegro has a defined programme for managing labour immigration into the country based on quotas. 
  • The country accounts for migrants’ qualifications and skills when deciding whether to admit them.
  • International students have equal access to university education as nationals and pay the same fees as nationals. 
  • Montenegro has developed mechanisms to protect the rights of Montenegrin nationals working abroad.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The national assessment to monitor labour market demand does not monitor the effects of emigrants on the domestic labour market.
  • There are limited measures in place to promote gender equality for migrants in the labour force.
  • Montenegro is not actively involved in promoting the creation of formal remittance schemes, and neither does it have programmes in place to promote the financial inclusion of migrants and their families.
Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Action Plan in the event of a mass influx of migrants and refugees in transit through the territory of Montenegro (2015) includes measures such as the accommodation of migrants and refugees. 
  • Montenegro has measures in place to make exceptions to the immigration procedures for migrants whose country of origin is experiencing crisis.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Montenegro does not have a strategy with specific measures to provide assistance to migrants before, during or after a crisis. 
  • There are only ad hoc measures in place to assist nationals living abroad in times of crises. 
  • Communication systems in place for the public to receive information on the evolving nature of crises do not take into consideration the specific vulnerabilities that migrants face.
Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Border Police officers are regularly trained by the Police Academy Danilovgrad.
  • Montenegro has legislation in place to ensure that migrant detention is used only as a measure of last resort.
  • Information on visa types and entry requirements are easily available in Montenegrin and English on the Ministry of the Interior’s website.
  • The Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2019–2024 stresses the need for training on gender sensitivity and to strive for the proportional representation of women. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The Border Police does not have an overall visa information system to monitor overstays.
  • Montenegro has measures in place to combat labour exploitation, but they are not specific to migrants.
  • There are no specific procedures in place for the timely identification of migrants in vulnerable situations.

2022 December

Migration Governance Profile: Montenegro