Table 1

Conditions of recruitment and temporary residence in selected countries

Country
Admission conditions
Availability of domestic workers as grounds for refusal
Quotas
Length of stay (possibility for renewal)

Australia
Nominated by employer (exceptional stay of 3 months)
Yes
No
2 years (renewable once)




4 years (renewable for teachers)




3 months to 4 years for business specialists
Canada




Work permit required
Preliminary authorization
Yes
No
Maximum 3 years (renewable)
No work permit required
Bilateral agreements
No
No
Maximum 9 months (renewable)
United States




H-1B (specialists)
Prevailing wage required BA (4-year degree) + practice in the occupation
No
Yes
Initial admission for 3 years (renewable once)
O (extraordinary ability)
Consultation with peers
No
No
Up to 10 years, depending on activity (must continue to work in field of expertise)
United Kingdom
Employer must apply for work permit
Yes a
No
Up to 4 years (renewals possible)

Restricted to highly skilled persons ('key workers')



Adequate command of English


France
Employer must apply for work permit
Yes a
No
9 months (renewable once and in exceptional cases twice)
Netherlands
Employer must apply for work permit
Yes a
No
1 year (renewable)
Germany
Employer must apply for work permit
Yes
No
1 year (renewable)

(a) Exceptions for certain activities, or pay-related Sources: OECD, Trends in International Migration, 1998 and 1999 Editions, Paris

Stilwell et al. Human Resources for Health 2003 1:8   doi:10.1186/1478-4491-1-8