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 Republic of Mozambique’s 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.

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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

Regular migrants residing in Mozambique have equal access to public health-care services as Mozambican citizens, in accordance with Law No. 23 of 2022 on the Foreigners Statute.
Basic primary and secondary education in Mozambique is provided free of charge, irrespective of migration status, as per the principles outlined in Law No. 18 of 2018 on the Revision of the National Education System (Sistema Nacional de Educação, SNE).
Mozambique has agreements with Brazil (2017) , Portugal (2018), and Cabo Verde (2023) to ensure the portability of social security entitlements, including pensions, allowing workers to retain their benefits when returning home.
Mozambique's Civil Registry Code (Law No. 12 of 2004, amended 2018) allows migrants to register civil events using valid foreign documents, without requiring Mozambican ID.

Areas with potential for further development

The establishment of systems to formally record nationals living abroad is an area with potential for further development, with current efforts relying on voluntary registration through consulates and diaspora mapping.
There is no specific strategy for addressing hate crimes, violence, xenophobia, and discrimination against migrants.

Key findings

WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Ministry of the Interior (MINT) is responsible for migration-related policy design and implementation in Mozambique, as established by Ministerial Diploma No. 68 of 2001.
Mozambique has two interministerial coordination mechanisms for migration issues: the National Reference Group for Child Protection and Combating Trafficking in Persons and Irregular Migration, and the Migration Management Steering Committee.
The National Institute for Mozambican Communities Abroad under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation assists Mozambican communities abroad with emigration, repatriation, education, and information, as per Decree No. 44 of 2023.
The MINT established the Coordinating Council in 2011, which annually coordinates with local-level authorities for agenda-setting and policy implementation, as per Article 16 of Ministerial Diploma No. 68.
The National Institute of Statistics collects health and migration data, including immunization, malaria, HIV/AIDS, remittances, and money transfers, with the latest Family Budget Survey data from 2022 published in July 2023.

Areas with potential for further development

Establishing a national migration strategy remains a key area for further development in Mozambique. As of September 2024, Mozambique's draft Diaspora Policy and Implementation Strategy, focused on protecting the rights of Mozambicans abroad and promoting their engagement, awaits approval by the Council of Ministers.
Establishing a coordination mechanism to compile, integrate, and disseminate migration data from different government agencies is a key area with potential for development in Mozambique.

Key findings

PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Mozambique actively engages in regional consultative processes such as the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) that is part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Pan-African Forum on Migration (PAFOM).
In 2023, Mozambique signed MoUs with the United Arab Emirates, Cabo Verde, and Portugal to ensure ethical recruitment, social security portability, and labour mobility.
Mozambique has engaged in bilateral migration negotiations, discussions, and consultations, including visa exemptions with Venezuela, Rwanda, Thailand (2018), and Egypt (2019), border control support from Japan (2022), and 24-hour border operations with Eswatini (2022) to boost trade and movement.
Members of Mozambique's diaspora are actively involved in development policies, with collaboration promoted by the National Institute for Mozambican Communities Abroad (Decree No. 44 of 2023), and the 2014 Diaspora Engagement Strategy incorporated into the 2023 National Diaspora Policy, currently awaiting approval as of May 2024.

Areas with potential for further development

Promoting formal intraregional mobility through Regional Consultative Processes or interregional consultative forums is a key area with potential for further development.
Increasing engagement with civil society organizations in agenda-setting and implementing migration-related programmes at the local level is another key area for development. Ad hoc consultations occur, limited to specific issues such as human trafficking.

Key findings

WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Migrant workers’ skills and qualifications are considered in granting work permits or visas under the New Labour Law (Law No. 13 of 2023).
Mozambique has formalized accreditation criteria for recognizing foreign qualifications, overseen by the National Institute of Exams, Certifications and Accreditations under the Ministry of Education and Human Development.
Mozambique participates in the African Continent Qualifications Framework (2019), through the National Council on Quality Assurance in Higher Education (Conselho Nacional de Avaliação da Qualidade, CNAQ).
Nationals working abroad are protected through the New Labour Law and Decree No. 16 of 2018, which governs private employment agencies, while 32 diplomatic missions provide consular support and services.

Areas with potential for further development

Mozambique does not have a national assessment for monitoring the labour market demand for immigrants or the domestic labour supply and the impact of emigration on the domestic labour market.
Promoting the financial inclusion of migrants is a key area for development, as Mozambique's National Strategy of Financial Inclusion (ENIF) 2016–2022 addresses access to financial services but lacks specific measures tailored for migrants.

Key findings

MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Mozambique actively engages in regional frameworks like the Kampala Convention (2009), Southern African Development Community (SADC) Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (CCSAP) (2015) and the annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF).
The National Institute of Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), under Law No. 10 of 2020, coordinates Mozambique's disaster risk reduction efforts, implementing the Director Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2017–2030 and the Plan for Financial Protection against Disasters 2022–2027 to enhance disaster resilience and recovery.
Mozambique's disaster management framework includes measures to prevent displacement, protect at-risk populations, and promote climate-resilient housing, as outlined in Law No. 10 and the Internal Displacement Management Policy and Strategy (2021).
INGD collects and publishes disaster displacement data, including IDPs, resettled families, and disaster impacts. Data are disaggregated by region, sex, and age.
Mozambique's Annual Contingency Plan 2022–2023 includes provisions for disaster response, resettlement, preparing safe zones for displaced families, and ensuring local participation in resettlement decisions.

Areas with potential for further development

Mozambique lacks a harmonized emergency management framework that address the needs of migrants before, during and after emergencies and disasters.
There are no specific provisions to make exceptions to the immigration procedures for migrants whose country of origin is experiencing a crisis.

Key findings

SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Mozambique has two policy documents addressing the issues relevant to returning migrants: the Social Action Policy (2017) and the Mozambican Diaspora Policy (2023).
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action (MGCAS) protects migrant, unaccompanied, and displaced children, upholding Law No. 7 of 2008 and the 2021 Internal Displacement Management Policy.

Areas with potential for further development

Mozambique lacks an effective system to monitor visa overstays; monitoring is done on an ad hoc basis or by border officials.
There are general measures in place to combat labour exploitation which apply to migrants but are not specific to them.

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