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 Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of The Republic of Colombia 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.
Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Since the first MGI review, measures have been adopted to ensure access to health services for migrants, such as the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants, the Public Health Ten-Year Plan 2022–2031, and the Psychosocial Support Strategy for the Venezuelan Migrant Population (2023).
- Colombia has strengthened access to education for migrants through Joint Circulars No. 16 of 2018 and No. 038 of 2023 issued by the Ministry of Education, as well as Constitutional Court Rulings 185 of 2021 and 356 of 2023.
- Resolution 5477 of 2022 reorganizes visa categories and guarantees migrants access to family reunification and employment, depending on the visa type.
- Through the program Primero la Niñez (Children First, 2019), Colombian nationality is granted to children born in Colombia to Venezuelan parents.
Areas with potential for further development
- Colombian citizens abroad cannot vote in national elections through postal or electronic voting.
Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Colombia has strengthened inter-ministerial coordination on migration issues through the reactivation of the National Intersectoral Migration Commission in 2023, efforts to convene the National Migration System and the Intersectoral Commission for Return.
- Since the previous consultative process, the Congress of the Republic approved Law 2136 of 2021, which establishes the definitions, principles, and guidelines for the regulation and orientation of the Comprehensive Migration Policy of the Colombian State.
- Colombia regularly collects and publishes migration data through the Migration Pulse Survey, the Migration, Migrants, and Human Mobility Observatory of Migración Colombia, the National Observatory of Migration and Health, and the National Migration Observatory of the National Planning Department, among others.
Areas with potential for further development
- Establishing a coordination mechanism to compile and harmonize migration data collected by different government agencies.
- Formally involving the Ministry of Equality and Equity in the National Intersectoral Migration Commission.
- Addressing environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change in the country's migration policies and strategies.
Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Colombia actively participates in international organizations, forums, and integration processes, promoting topics related to human mobility.
- Through the National Civil Society Roundtable on Migration, the country formally involves civil society organizations and diaspora members in setting the agenda on and implementing migration programs.
- Since 2021, Colombia has signed memorandums of understanding on migration with Panama (2021), the European Union (2021), Ecuador (2023), and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (2023).
Areas with potential for further development:
- Encouraging active participation of the private sector in setting the agenda on and implementing migration-related programs.
Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Since 2021, the National Administrative Department of Statistics has been collecting labour market data disaggregated by sex and migratory status through the Migration Pulse Survey.
- In 2022, Colombia strengthened measures to promote gender equality in the labour market, regardless of nationality, by creating the National System for Women, adopting the Public Policy for Gender Equality for Women, and establishing the Labour Inspection Elite Group for Gender Equality.
- Through the “Puedo Estudiar” (I Can Study) Free Tuition Policy (2024), migrants can benefit from free tuition fees for undergraduate programs at public universities.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Conducting national assessments to monitor the demand for immigrants in the labour market.
- Actively promoting the development of formal remittance schemes.
Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Within the framework of the National Disaster Risk Management System and the National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2015–2030 (NDRMP), Colombia provides assistance to the entire population before, during, and after crises.
- Colombia updated the NDRMP through Presidential Decree 1478 of 2022, which includes provisions to prevent and address displacement caused by disasters.
- Colombia has implemented specific measures for exceptions to immigration procedures for Venezuelan migrants, namely the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants (2021), Visible Points (2021), and Resolution 5477 of 2022.
Areas with potential for further development
- Including consideration of human mobility in national environmental and climate change policies.
- Establishing a risk management framework with specific measures to provide assistance to migrants.
- Designing a contingency plan to manage large-scale population movements during times of crisis
Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Colombia has regulations and programs to attract nationals who emigrated from the country, such as the Return Law (2012), the Intersectoral Commission for Return, and the Referral and Opportunities Centers for Return.
- Since the previous MGI consultative process, Colombia adopted the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2020–2024.
- Colombia has strengthened its measures to protect migrant children, for instance by issuing the Special Stay Permit for Legal Representatives or Guardians of Children and Adolescents (PEP-TUTOR, 2024).
Areas with potential for further development
- Implementing programs to combat labour exploitation of migrants.
2024 December
