Temporary migration in theories of international mobility of labour

There is an arising consensus on the empirical importance of temporary labour migration. In acknowledgement of this fact the present overview summarizes literature that deals with drivers and effects of temporary labour movements. The overview sets together relevant elements of migration initiation and perpetuation, return migration and international trade theories. It also complies conclusions from a growing body of empirical literature on re-emigration to the country of origin, remittances and on the behaviour of temporary versus permanent immigrants. Distinguishing temporary from permanent labour migration should help to explain the dynamics of the actual international labour movements and to understand their impact on economies.