Onward migration

Onward migration refers to a form of unplanned multiple migration, which does not assume a predetermined stepped trajectory, number of intermediate countries or specific final destination. It can encompass multi-directional moves and involve both regular and irregular routes. A range of motivations and contingencies have been found to drive onward migrants, including employment, education, family, political, socio-cultural and lifestyle factors that impel these migrants to fulfil their migration aspirations across countries. Migrants’ social networks, migratory knowledge, migration or civic, socio-cultural or educational capital, among others, mediate migrants’ disposition and actual capability to move onward. These same factors but also migration and welfare regimes, labour market conditions or educational opportunities in preceding and subsequent destinations can determine the outcomes for onward migrants and their families. Further inter/generational and intersectional research is needed to develop better understandings of onward migration and its outcomes for different groups of migrants or migrant family members.