This is a call for abstracts on the theme of Managing International Migration? Visa Policies, Politics, and Practice for a cross-regional, one-day workshop to be held at the University of Oxford, UK.

States are increasingly attempting to externalize migration controls beyond their borders. Visa policies, politics and practices are a primary form of this extraterritorial bordering. Visa policies are informed by diverse considerations from international relations to economic policy, migration management and security. They define and distinguish between un/desired and il/legitimate visitors and migrants, creating a global hierarchy of mobility by differentiating countries and their citizens into those who do and do not require visas.

Despite their broad reach, the implementation of visa policies is not straightforward. Visa policies have negative effects on bilateral trade, travel and foreign direct investment, and may conflict with foreign policy goals. Moreover, visa policies are interpreted by street-level bureaucrats, manipulated by immigration advice agencies, confronted with individual aspirations, and undermined by unlawful activities.

We are interested in a variety of methodologies, disciplinary perspectives, and comparative approaches. A total of nine papers will be accepted, with a mix of existing, recent and ongoing research papers.

Please send a 200-word abstract to franck.duvell@compas.ox.ac.uk by 17 July 2015. Final papers will be expected by mid September. 

Limited funding from the John fell Fund is available to contribute towards travel and accommodation costs.