The current study investigates how institutional differences between home and host country can affect the benefit of education for entrepreneurial intention among immigrants originating from emerging economies. Using a sample of adult immigrants from emerging economies, we compared the effect of education on entrepreneurial intention and underlying mechanisms between those who migrate to emerging economies and those who migrate to developed economies. Findings show that for migrants who migrate to developed economies, education indirectly influences entrepreneurial intention - moreover, the effect of education on entrepreneurial intention channels through entrepreneurial competence. In contrast, immigrants who migrated to emerging economies benefit from education to start a business directly. Theoretical contributions and policy implications have been discussed.