Labour market policies constitute a central set of institutional mechanisms through which states regulate the entry, incorporation, and mobility of international migrants. These policies shape both the volume and composition of migration flows by influencing the demand for foreign labour, the conditions under which migrants are admitted, and their rights within host societies. From a theoretical standpoint, labour market policies can be understood through neoclassical, dual labour market, and world-systems perspectives, each of which highlights different dimensions of how economic structures and state regulations interact to produce migration. Neoclassical economic theory emphasizes wage differentials and employment opportunities as key drivers of migration. Labour market policies such as minimum wage laws, employment protection legislation, and tax regimes affect these differentials by altering the relative attractiveness of destination countries. For instance, policies that ensure higher wages and better working conditions tend to attract skilled and unskilled migrants alike, while restrictive policies that limit employment opportunities or impose heavy taxation may deter migration. At the same time, selective immigration policies, such as points-based systems, actively shape the skill composition of migrants by privileging those with qualifications deemed valuable in the host labour market. Dual labour market theory shifts the focus to the structural demand for migrant labour in advanced economies. According to this perspective, labour market segmentation creates a persistent demand for workers in low-wage, unstable, and undesirable jobs that native workers are reluctant to fill. Labour market policies that maintain flexibility in hiring and firing, or that tolerate informal employment, can intensify this demand. Temporary work visa programmes and guest worker schemes institutionalize this process by channeling migrants into specific sectors such as agriculture, construction, and domestic work. These policies often restrict migrants’ rights and mobility, reinforcing their position in the secondary labour market and limiting their long-term integration. From a world-systems perspective, labour market policies are embedded in broader global economic relations characterized by unequal development. Policies in core countries often facilitate the recruitment of labour from peripheral regions, thereby sustaining global labour hierarchies. Trade agreements, outsourcing practices, and