Skill differentials between visa categories in the United States

Official URL: http://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b1606873 (Table of Contents)

This study focuses on skill differentials between different visa categories in the U.S. and presents the skill distribution of immigrants under family and employment visa categories over time for the first time. Moreover, the study is first to analyze the skill difference of immigrants under family and employment visa categories and shows that the main mechanism behind the skill differential is changing the selectivity of immigrants by choosing more skilled immigrants within region of origins rather than shifting the regional composition of the immigrants. Moreover, it is also shown that selectivity of immigrants affects only employment visa category rather than family visa category confirming the effectiveness of immigration policies towards attracting more skilled immigrants.