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  • Publications (25)

Publication type

  • EMN Studies (6)
  • EMN Informs (13)
  • (-) EMN Ad Hoc Queries (25)
  • External publications (29)

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  • International Protection (45)
  • Economic migration (34)
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  • (-) External Dimension (2)

Year

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Ad Hoc Query on removal of third-country nationals from national lists of prohibited persons on the basis of marriage to an EU citizen

15/06/2026

This ad hoc query examines whether third-country nationals (TCNs) who are subject to national entry bans or are included in "Stop Lists" are removed from these lists upon marriage to an EU citizen. It further maps the specific procedures, required documentation, and assessment criteria used by EMN Member Countries to distinguish genuine relationships from marriages of convenience.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
entry ban
stop list
marriage of convenience
EU citizen

Ad Hoc Query on methodology for calculating periods of absence

15/05/2026

This ad hoc query examines the ways in which EMN Member and Observer Countries calculate periods of absence in the context of applications for an EU Long-Term Residence Status, which requires 5 years of continuous residence. Additionally, this ad hoc query inquires about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in EMN Member and Observer Countries, or any future plans to do so. 

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
long-term residence
continuous residence
period of absence
entry exit system
digitalisation

Ad Hoc Query on medical examination requirements in future amendments of national residence permit regulations

10/04/2026

This ad hoc query examines the extent to which EMN Member and Observer Countries require medical certificates in the context of applications for temporary and permanent residence permits. More specifically, it inquires at what stage in the procedure the medical certificate is requested and what medical conditions are examined.  

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for a residence permit
medical examination
medical certificate

Ad Hoc Query on specifics of the procedure for family reunification

27/02/2026

This ad hoc query shines light on the practices applicable in EMN Member Countries regarding applications for family reunification by third-country nationals and their family members who enjoy visa-free travel for short-stays in the EU, in the context of the implementation of the Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC).

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
sponsor
residence permit
visa-free travel

Ad Hoc Query on criminal record certificates

18/01/2026

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.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Borders & Visa
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
visa
residence permit
application
criminal record certificate
security

Ad Hoc Query on challenges and opportunities in the use of digital services in legal migration procedures

14/12/2025

This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how EMN Member and Observer Countries have adapted digital services in legal migration procedures to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It examined compliance with relevant EU and international frameworks, as well as national legislation. It also explored additional accessibility measures, support for users with special needs, GDPR safeguards, user involvement in service design, and approaches to digital disadvantage, alongside challenges and good practices identified by countries.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Citizenship & Nationality
Borders & Visa
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
legal migration
digitalisation
accessibility
inclusion

Ad Hoc Query on procedures for providing missing or supplementary information in application processes

10/11/2025

This ad hoc query examines whether national procedures allow or require immigration officers to request missing or additional information from applicants for legal migration after an initially incomplete application, and, if so, under what circumstances, to what extent, and within which deadlines.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
legal migration
application for a residence permit
missing information

Ad Hoc Query on family reunification of Syrian beneficiaries of international protection

28/04/2025

This ad hoc query compares the existing legislation in EMN Member and Observer Countries regarding the granting of protection statuses to family members of beneficiaries of international protection, as well as recent changes in practices in light of the regime change in Syria.

Theme:
International Protection
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
Syria
protection status
suspension
decision-making

Ad Hoc Query on language proficiency requirements on family reunification and pre-entry language tests

05/01/2025

This ad hoc query maps the existence of language requirements prior to entry for family members of beneficiaries of international protection. Responding countries also report on experiences with pre-entry language requirements for other categories of residence permits, when applicable.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
beneficiary of international protection
language requirement
language learning

Ad Hoc Query on the procedure for family reunification and how to implement the “public order” element to the sponsor

06/12/2024

This ad hoc query looks into which countries verify that the sponsor who applies for family reunification is not a threat to public order when examining the application for family reunification.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
sponsor
threat to public order

Ad Hoc Query on family reunification for third-country national migrant workers

04/08/2024

This ad hoc query examines the approach taken by EMN Member and Observer countries in relation to applications for family reunification from third-country national workers, in particular with regards to the level of resources and the quality of accommodation required by those applying for family reunification, as well as the possible obligation to provide for medical insurance in the context of such applications.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
foreign workers
income threshold
accommodation
medical insurance

Ad Hoc Query on personal and family links residence permit

25/04/2024

This ad hoc query examines how Article 8 ECHR relating to the right to respect for private and family life may lead to specific residence permits in EMN Member and Observer Countries, and how it is taken into account in national legislation and procedures applicable to foreign nationals.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
family tie
private life
family life
residence permit
European Convention on Human Rights

Ad Hoc Query on the period of legal residence required for applicants for family reunification

05/01/2024

This ad hoc query provides comparative information on the waiting period that applicants must prove before applying for family reunification in the EMN Member and Observer Countries. It also examines legal time limits for processing an application for family reunification and it clarifies whether such processing time is included in the above-mentioned waiting period. 

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
application for family reunification
Family Reunification Directive
waiting period
processing time
family reunification right

Ad Hoc Query on family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection

25/09/2023

This ad hoc query collects information on the submission, processing and examination of applications for family reunification with beneficiaries of international protection. It also focuses on documentary requirements which apply in this context. Finally, it touches upon family reunification with and for children, including children coming of age.

Theme:
International Protection
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
application for family reunification
evidence
family tie
children

Ad Hoc Query on existing bilateral agreements and programmes/projects on legal migration between Member States and third countries

03/08/2023

Due to the increased need for foreign labour force, Member States are multiplying their negotiations of bilateral agreements and programmes with third countries on labour mobility. In order to have a current state of play and with a view to better coordinate this matter, the European Commission asked EMN Member countries to provide information on any bilateral agreement or programme supporting mobility from third countries.

Theme:
External Dimension
Economic migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
labour migration
labour mobility
legal migration
bilateral agreements
bilateral programmes

Ad Hoc Query on the possibility of concluding a marriage between a European citizen and a third-country national who resides illegally on the territory

02/03/2023

In the Czech Republic, a marriage can, under the current legislation, only take place if both parties have legal residence on the territory. By launching this ad hoc query, the Czech National Contact Point (NCP) to the European Migration Network (EMN) wanted to know more about the existing practices in other Member Countries.

Theme:
Family Migration
Irregular Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
marriage of convenience
illegal stay

Ad Hoc Query on access to the labour market for family members of international students

14/08/2022

Do Member States grant access to the labour market to family members of international students and, if so, to which family members and under which conditions? This ad hoc query launched by Belgium shows that policies and practices in this matter still vary among Member States.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
student
family member
labour market access

Ad Hoc Query on time limits for decisions on family reunification

02/04/2020

21 Member States provided information on national laws and practices regarding the time limits for decisions on family reunification and the consequences of exceeding these limits.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive

Ad Hoc Query on public order and public security

13/02/2017

16 (Member) States provided information on their policies and practices regarding the implementation and execution of provisions of EU directives on public order and public security. This ad hoc query was launched by the Dutch Contact Point to the EMN.

Theme:
International Protection
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
public order

Ad Hoc Query on checking identity and family relationships in case of family reunification with a beneficiary of international protection

21/09/2016

21 (Member) States provided information on their practices regarding the verification of identity and family relationships in case of family reunification with a beneficiary of international protection. This query was launched in June 2016 by the Dutch Contact Point to the EMN.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
beneficiary of international protection
family member
identity
family relationship

Ad Hoc Query on requirements of marriage and suspected numbers of marriages of convenience

24/09/2013

16 Member States provided detailed information and statistical data on their requirements for marriage and suspected marriages of convenience. This query was launched by the UK EMN NCP.

Theme:
Family Migration
Irregular Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
marriage of convenience

Ad Hoc Query on the right to family reunification for unmarried partners

07/03/2013

22 Member States provide information on whether or not and under what conditions they grant a right to family reunification to unmarried partners whose relationship or partnership is not considered as equivalent to marriage.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
unmarried partner

Ad Hoc Query on marriage of convenience

17/08/2011

The United Kingdom is seeing a growth in the use of ‘marriages of convenience’ as a way of obtaining the right to stay in the UK

Theme:
Family Migration
Irregular Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
marriage of convenience

Ad Hoc Query on marriage of convenience

25/05/2011

Ad hoc query, requested on April 18, 2011 by the Hungarian NCP concerning marriages of convenience in the European Union. 18 responses

Theme:
Family Migration
Irregular Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
marriage of convenience

Ad Hoc Query on migration partnerships

01/04/2011

Ad Hoc Query, requested by the Austrian NCP on 26 July 2010 concerning enhanced cooperation between member states and certain countries of origin - 18 responses

Theme:
External Dimension
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
country of origin
Migration Partnership
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