What's included
- Data on the movement of skilled workers in tech across geographies through the analysis of 2023 visa trends and employment contracts
- Insights into individuals who are moving, their preferred destinations, and the reasons behind their relocation
- A spotlight on the United States, the world’s most coveted destination for tech elites around the world
Key takeaways
- Immigration strategy is important to attract skilled global talent.
- Spain, Great Britain, and Canada were the top countries for hiring skilled migrants in 2023.
- The US remains a sought-after destination for entrepreneurs and tech talent.
Who will benefit from this report?
- Companies of all sizes looking to hire skilled tech migrants
- Professionals interested in making a global move
- Anyone curious about the latest tech scene trends in migration
Report overview
In an effort to attract top talent, countries have long leveraged immigration. As we head into 2024, it’s no surprise that the most competitive talent on the planet is centered around software engineering, data, and product development, which are all essential components of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. This has resulted in a significant number of skilled migrants and workers who possess technical and entrepreneurial skill sets being globally mobile.
Deel, the global HR and payroll company, has a workforce spanning hundreds of thousands of people from over 120 countries. In 2023, 27% of newly hired full-time employees on Deel’s platform were expats, meaning their citizenship differed from the country where they were employed, a slight increase from 25% in 2022.
Here are the headlines from Deel’s data pool, as well as the incoming requests for immigration support across 30+ countries:
- Spain, Great Britain, and Canada were the top countries for hiring skilled migrants in 2023
- The majority of skilled migrants were from India, the United States, and Great Britain, according to the workers who were employed abroad
- Skilled workers prioritize countries and visas that offer economic mobility, preferential tax treatment, better quality of life, lower cost of living, and family/community reunification when seeking visas
- Despite the United States having the toughest immigration barriers, domestic turmoil, and layoffs, the country remains a coveted destination for entrepreneurs and the tech elite
FAQs
How do you define skilled migrants or expats?
Why is tech talent the focus of this report?
The growth of the tech sector and tech startup hubs have led to an increase in skilled tech workers migrating to tech cities worldwide. Deel’s report provides valuable insights into these trends. Businesses can leverage this information to tap into a broader talent pool of skilled professionals. At the same time, workers can seek new tech job opportunities aligning with their career goals and personal preferences.
Where does Deel source its data?
In the year 2023, Deel facilitated the creation of tens of thousands of new employee contracts. 27% of these contracts were for employees located in countries that were different from their country of citizenship. Deel’s global reach is extensive, with more than 100 global professionals in each country represented.
Why is skilled migrant data different from visa request data?
Does the report provide insights into different countries’ visa and immigration systems?
It includes detailed analyses of visa delays, evolving visa routes and government initiatives, and legislative changes impacting immigration in the European region, with a focus on countries like Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
In North America, it examines the Canadian immigration system’s responsiveness to remote working and the creation of new visa pathways.
Asian countries like Japan are also highlighted for their innovative visa initiatives aimed at becoming attractive destinations for remote work.