This ad hoc query maps national governance arrangements for implementing Regulations (EU) 2019/817 and 2019/818. It explores the mandates, institutional positioning, and resources of designated interoperability authorities, as well as their duration and future planning.

This ad hoc query examines which actors are responsible for monitoring the fundamental rights of unaccompanied minors during screening in Member States, and whether the Ombudsmen for children have a role in this procedure. The query explores whether the Ombudsmen are consulted during the screening process, whether they conduct unannounced visits to the facilities where unaccompanied minors are accommodated, whether they can speak with the children in private, and whether they have access to documents concerning the children during the screening process. 

This Inform examines how digital services in legal migration procedures are designed and implemented in EMN Member and Observer Countries to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It looks at how authorities have adapted applications, document submission, appointment booking, communication and information exchange, and case-tracking services in the context of the ongoing digitalisation of legal migration procedures. The analysis is based on contributions from 25 EMN Member and Observer Countries.

This ad hoc query maps how EMN Member and Observer Countries address the legal status and documentation of children born on their territory to legally residing Belarusian parents who are unable to obtain a national passport following the adoption of Decree No. 278 of the Republic of Belarus. 

This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member Countries allow persons holding a Schengen visa and persons enjoying visa-free travel to apply for a single permit on their territory during their short stay. Additionally, the ad hoc query inquires about different aspects of such procedures as well as possibilities for third-country nationals to obtain a visa for the purpose of seeking employment.   

This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member Countries plan to change their age assessment procedures in light of Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 on multidisciplinary age assessments. It explores which authorities or external providers are involved in the procedure, and how multidisciplinary teams carry out the assessment in practice. The query also covers how applicants are interviewed and how conclusions are drawn and communicated.

This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member and Observer Countries have age assessment procedures in place, how these procedures are conducted, and which actors are responsible. It also explores the challenges encountered and how they are addressed. Finally, it examines whether the respondent countries plan to introduce a new procedure or amend an existing one in the near future.

The report compiles available figures for the period 2015–2024 and examines how data are recorded, shared and used. It provides a clearer statistical basis for understanding the situation of minors at risk of trafficking and aggravated forms of smuggling, while identifying structural gaps in current data systems.

This ad hoc query provides an overview of which EMN Member and Observer Countries require criminal record certificates in order to issue long-stay visas or residence permits. Details are provided on the categories of third-country nationals exempted from this requirement, the countries from which these certificates are required (country of origin and/or of previous residence), the other types of documents that may be accepted in lieu of a certificate (such as an affidavit), and more.

Carriers transporting third-country nationals by air, sea, or land to the Schengen area are required to take all necessary measures to ensure that these individuals hold the travel documents needed for entry into the Schengen States. The European Commission has launched three ad hoc queries, each focusing on a specific aspect of carriers’ liability: the framework of sanctions and penalties; responsibility for costs; and cooperation with carriers and control/supervision.

This ad hoc query maps the specific provisions concerning separated migrant children in the legislation of the Member States, including the possibility for the accompanying adult to be recognised as responsible for, or as the representative of, the accompanied separated child. It also covers the arrangements in place to preserve the relationship between the separated child and the accompanying adult, as well as the monitoring of separated children.

This ad hoc query examines where applicants for international protection (and beneficiaries of temporary protection) with special needs are accommodated. When accommodated in regular reception centres, the query explores the services provided in-house and the professionals employed in this regard. When applicants are accommodated in specialised facilities, the placement procedure is examined, including which stakeholders are involved and their respective roles and responsibilities. It also covers how these financial costs are borne.

This EMN Inform maps how EMN Member Countries organise their first instance appeals procedures and examine operational changes implemented between 2018 and 2024. It delivers a comprehensive comparative analysis, reflecting on procedural safeguards, key challenges, and good practices observed across the EU.

This ad hoc query explores how EMN Member and Observer Countries support legally residing migrant children (third-country nationals) in adapting to the cultural environment of primary and secondary schools. It focuses on national measures, including language support, teacher training, targeted initiatives, and the use of specific educational tools. It also examines challenges, good practices, and whether countries monitor migrant children's academic performance.

This ad hoc query examines national regulations and practices concerning the employment of third-country nationals during short stays or visa-free stays, as well as the procedures in place to issue long-stay D-visas for the purpose of employment.

This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member Countries issue visas, short-term permits, or temporary authorisations of stay before third-country nationals can receive a residence permit and, if so, which conditions apply and which processes are in place.

In collaboration with the Red Cross EU Office and the Swedish Red Cross, this Inform provides an overview of EMN Member and Observer Countries’ guidance and training on early detection and identification of presumed victims of torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in international protection procedures. It outlines procedural safeguards and guidance for asylum authorities when requesting medico-legal documentation in international protection applications, and it also details practices for identifying victims among beneficiaries of temporary protection to provide medical care, in line with the Temporary Protection Directive.

Many of the applicants for international protection are believed to hold or have held a visa in order to enter the territory, but their number remains unknown. This ad hoc query maps the collection of statistics on migrants who enter the Schengen area legally but who subsequently lodge an asylum application in an EU Member State.

In its annual report 2023, Fairwork Belgium reports on requests for assistance received in 2023 and provides further details on the profiles of the people concerned and the phenomena and abuses of which they are victims. Specific attention is paid to inter alia the misuse of the single permit system, the exploitation of posted workers, the false self-employment of applicants for international protection, and the au-pair employment as domestic worker.

Through this ad hoc query, the Slovak Republic collects information on EMN Member and Observer countries' experiences in recording data on the vulnerability of applicants for international protection and generating statistical reports related to vulnerability.

This ad hoc query focuses on the early detection and identification of presumed victims of torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in international and temporary protection procedures. It inter alia collects information from EMN Member Countries on guidance and training available to competent authorities, on referrals to medico-legal assessments and use of medico-legal documentation as well as on challenges and good practices in this field.

In the Netherlands, there is a special policy applicable to third-country national children based on a family supervision order (child protection order) that is imposed by the juvenile court. The Dutch authorities launched this query because they want to know whether it is possible for a minor third-country national who is covered by a similar order to receive a residence permit in other Member States.

The Luxembourg Ombudsman for Children and Youth (OKaJu), together with UNICEF Luxembourg, is carrying out research on the situation of unaccompanied minors (UAMs) in Luxembourg. In this context, they would like to collect information on good practices in other EU Member States with a focus on the guardianship of UAMs.

The Belgian authorities are looking to improve/review the special residence procedure for unaccompanied foreign minors, known as the Best Interest Procedure. In this context, Belgium launched three ad hoc queries to seek information from other Member States on (i) similar residence procedures specifically for UAMs, (ii) procedures followed in case return to the country of origin is considered and (iii) steps taken to implement return decisions.