Promoting Circular International Migration of the Highly Skilled

remittances and the return of migrants with new skills can offset the loss of migrants and may even lead to a brain-gain. Metka Hercog and Melissa Siegel discuss policy approaches designed to stimulate the return of highly skilled migrants. They debunk the myth that restrictive measures, such as limiting options for longer migration from developing countries, are an effective tool to avert brain drain and encourage migrants’ return or other engagement in development activities in the country of origin. Instead, the authors illustrate the effectiveness of incentive measures and in particular the opening of possibilities for longer and productive stays for tying skilled migration with development goals. The article discusses policy approaches designed to stimulate the return of highly skilled migrants. It debunks the myth that restrictive measures, such as limiting options for longer migration from developing countries, are an effective tool to avert brain drain and encourage migrants’ return or other engagement in development activities in the country of origin. Instead, the authors illustrate the effectiveness of incentive measures and in particular the opening of possibilities for longer and productive stays for tying skilled migration with development goals.