Ask HN: Migration Access versus Market Access

[KuriousCat]

Are there any tools/APIs that allows us to study the contrast between market access and migration access between two countries? For instance, I want to be able to visualize how easy or hard it has been for us to sell a software product in China over the years and contrast it with the difficulty of the Chinese nationals to study in USA and vice-versa.

[tacostakohashi]

What does "migration access" actually mean?

Usually in a strict / legal sense "migration" / "immigration" refers to people migrating permanently, with no plans to return, and becoming permanent residents / citizens etc. That is somewhat difficult for Chinese folks to the USA due to various numerical caps on visas by origin country.

There aren't any regulatory / numerical caps on Chinese folks studying or visiting the USA though, as long as they can get into their college, pay the fees, satisfy the various embassy / CBP people that they are temporary / non-immigrant visitors, they are free to come. In practice, the barriers are financial, logistical and linguistic.

[KuriousCat → tacostakohashi]

I meant it in a much more loose sense, how easy it is for people to cross the borders and get something of interest done, may be business, study or just enjoy a vacation.