This paper examines how managerial background influences firms’ use of labor migration. Using Swedish data, we analyze whether firms led by foreign-born managers are more likely to apply for work permits for non-EU workers. We find that such managers significantly increase the likelihood of application, even after controlling for firm characteristics and regional conditions. Our results suggest that leadership diversity affects access to global labor and how firms engage with migration policy. The study adds new evidence on how firm-level decision-makers shape international recruitment and the institutional channels of cross-border labor mobility.