New Generation Skilled Migration Policies: Talent As Output and the Headhunting State

This paper explores the evolution in Europe and in comparative perspective of a set of ‘new generation skilled migration policies’. This phrase is used to refer to policies aimed at attracting high net worth individuals as well as innovative start-up entrepreneurs. The paper argues that these policies can be distinguished from traditional ones along two lines. First, the definition of talent underpinning new generation policies focuses on output rather than on input: investment or innovative ideas rather than educational qualifications or prior professional experience.  Second, the role of the state changes in the new policies: the state acts as an active recruiter of desirable migrants rather than as a border guard screening applicants. In particular, the paper evidences these two dimensions of change through a case study of the Italia Start-Up Visa. Unravelling notions of talent and state roles involved in the new generation policies contributes to a research agenda on the relationship between the management of migration, and skilled migration in particular, and community membership. Shachar and Hirschl prompted this agenda by denouncing how a global ‘race for talent’ threatens to commodify membership. The analysis in the paper suggests two reflections in this respect: first, skilled migration policies are becoming a tool for states to reaffirm sovereign control on community membership; and second, at least in Europe, a dual track approach to the selection of migrants as potential members seems to be consolidating: one track looks for cultural affinity and integration; a second track looks for tangible economic contribution.