In this study, we utilize both quantitative and qualitative data to examine the effect of dependent applicant status on the occupational mobility of married, professional immigrant men and women arriving in Canada through the skilled worker immigration category. Using longitudinal quantitative data, we find that dependent applicants, regardless of gender, experience a greater drop in occupational status after migration than principal applicants and they are unable to overcome this disadvantage over time. Qualitative interview data highlights the subtle, implicit relationship between dependent applicant status, traditional gender roles, and employment integration. In most cases, the women are designated as the dependent applicant during the immigration process because they have lower levels of the human capital that is valued for Canadian immigration than their husbands. Our findings suggest that within newly immigrated families, principal applicants are better able to reestablish their careers, while dependent applicants, disproportionately women, face more employment disadvantage, regardless of their professional background. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Occupational mobility immigrant women Immigrant labor market integration Tied-movers

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