High skilled individuals (HSIs) bring valuable knowledge, skills, talent, and experience which are crucial to enhance innovation capacity and productivity. HSIs rarely compete with nationals in terms of access to public services and welfare systems. Their integration is usually not a major concern. Despite a growing anti-immigration climate, many countries still compete in attracting HSIs. Although they cannot change the physical environment, traditions, culture and location, policies affecting HSIs are of governments’ responsibility. Particularly migration policies are part and parcel of marketing efforts to attract HSIs. In this article, we compare approaches and programmes of Germany and Singapore, targeting HSIs. These two countries often lead the list of most attractive HIS destinations. This study highlights the main points of policymaking for attracting HSIs.