This open access short reader discusses the emerging patterns of sedentary migration versus
mobility of the highly-skilled thereby providing a comprehensive overview of the recent
literature on highly-skilled migration. Highly-skilled migrations are arguably the only
non-controversial migrant category in political and public discourse. The common perception is
that highly-skilled migrants are high-earners with top educational skills and that they are
easy to integrate. These perceptions make them a wanted migrant. There seems to be however a
big divide between the popular perceptions of this migration and its realities uncovered in
social research. This publication closes this divide by delving deeper in the variety of
experiences discourses and realities of highly skilled migrants thereby uncovering the
inherent divides between the highly skilled migrants from the North and the South. The reader
shows that these divides are constructed realities shaped by the state policies and
underpinned by social imaginary. Written in an accessible language this reader is a perfect
read for academics students and policy makers and all those unfamiliar with the topic.
