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International Migration ISSUE No. 447
International migration is categorized, based on the criterion of free will, into two types:

- Forced/Involuntary Migration: This occurs against the will of individuals, as they are compelled to migrate.

- Voluntary/Optional Migration: This type encompasses regular, orderly, and safe migration, as well as

irregular, disorderly, and unsafe migration. It also includes activities such as the smuggling of migrants.
A. Voluntary International Migration

Seasonal International Migration
It involves individuals, particularly active groups, moving from their home country to a new one to earn a living.
An example of this is the migration of Moroccan strawberry workers to agricultural fields in Spain for pre-agreed-
upon months.

Temporary External/International Migration
It occurs when an individual moves from their home country to a new one to achieve a specific goal. This could
be for educational purposes (student migration), earning a living (labor migration), or seeking medical treatment.

Permanent External/International Migration
It involves the movement from one›s country of nationality or habitual residence to another country. This entails
crossing political borders into a new homeland with the intention of establishing permanent residency beyond
one year, often without considering an actual and final return to the original homeland. It often turns into
final settlement and includes what is known as regular, orderly, and safe migration, which also relies on family
reunification.
This type of migration is often selective, with host countries carefully assessing those granted permanent
residency. Consequently, individuals migrating in this way often possess high skills and educational levels.

Regular, Orderly, and Safe External/International Migration
It refers to the intentional movement of individuals or groups who willingly choose to change their usual
place of residence by moving from their homeland to another country. This occurs without formal pressure or
coercion, requiring both push and pull environments. The migration takes place between the country of origin
and the country of destination after crossing the political and administrative borders of the origin and destination
countries. It could be in search of livelihood (labor migration) or seeking better opportunities for personal growth
(skilled migration).
This type of migration is intentional and often preceded by planning and goes through stages that facilitate
absorption and integration into the host country, compensating for and replacing the individuals that migrated
from the country of origin.

Irregular, Disorderly, and Unsafe External/International Migration
It occurs when migrants in the destination country transition to an irregular status. For example, claiming to
enter for a visit and then continuing to stay within the destination country for work. In this case, the entry
process may be regular, but the residence becomes irregular.

Smuggling of Migrants
The term «smuggling of migrants» refers to orchestrating the unauthorized entry of someone into a country
where that person is neither a national nor a permanent resident, with the aim of directly or indirectly gaining
financial or other material benefits. Entry is considered «irregular» when crossing borders without complying
with the necessary conditions for legal entry into the receiving country.
Migrants can be smuggled by land or sea, often relying on networks engaged in migrant smuggling. This involves
leaving the country of origin, entering the country of destination, and residing there through infiltration, with
neither the country of origin nor the country of destination having knowledge of the number of migrants, their
nationalities, or their age.
Migrants may also be smuggled using official documents such as a «forged passport or identity document», which
has been forged or altered by someone other than the authorized person or entity legally responsible for preparing

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