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As the Gulf Region Seeks a Pivot, Reforms to Its Oft-Criticized Immigration Policies Remain a Work in Progress

Gulf Cooperation Council states are reforming the kafala system and opening residency paths for wealthy and skilled migrants, but low-wage workers remain largely excluded.

Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants in the United States

U.S. immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa are among the most educated of any foreign-born group. Heavy reliance on humanitarian visas reflect the region's ongoing instability.

An immigrant from Iraq living in Michigan.

The State of Global Mobility in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 shut down global mobility during the first year of the pandemic. But 2022 saw a rapid rebound. This IOM-MPI report reveals shifting patterns post-pandemic, from Gulf labor flows to climate-driven displacement.

Young boy smiles out the window of a bus at a transit center in Ethiopia

Diverging Paths: The Impacts of COVID-19 on Migration in the Middle East and North Africa

COVID-19 sharpened divides in the MENA region: The mass departure of migrant workers allowed high-income Gulf states to pursue labor reforms, while North Africa and Lebanon faced compounding crises.

Millionaire Migration Rises and Heads to New Destinations

Migration of the wealthy is rising and shifting toward new destinations, posing both economic opportunities and policy challenges for sending and receiving countries.

Luxury cars in front of a hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah.

COVID-19 and the State of Global Mobility in 2020

In 2020, COVID-19 sharply curtailed global mobility, slashing international flights and leaving nearly 3 million people stranded by mid-year.

COVID-19 Pandemic Profoundly Affects Bangladeshi Workers Abroad with Consequences for Origin Communities

The 4.2 million Bangladeshi workers in the Gulf—and the families who depend on them—faced severe hardship as COVID-19 triggered mass job loss, deportations, and falling remittances.

Kenyan Migration to the Gulf Countries: Balancing Economic Interests and Worker Protection

Kenyan workers’ rising Gulf migration boosted remittances but outpaced Kenya’s weak protections, leaving many migrants exposed to exploitation.

Exploitation of Migrant Workers in Asia

Gulf and Southeast Asian labor systems left millions of migrant workers vulnerable to debt, abuse, and only tentative reforms in 2014.

Global Civil Society in Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council: Emerging Dilemmas and Opportunities

International civil-society groups are pressing Gulf governments on migrant labor rights, but tensions remains.