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.
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.
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12/05/2026
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.
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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.
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02/04/2026
The Belgian Constitutional Court has clarified how the means of subsistence requirement applies in family reunification applications. The ruling establishes that the means of subsistence of both the Belgian sponsor and their partner must be taken into account when assessing compliance with this requirement. Previously, some applications were refused because only the sponsor’s means were considered. The decision aims to ensure compliance with principles of equality, non-discrimination, and respect for family life.
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).
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26/02/2026
The Belgian Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended legislative measures introduced in 2025 that tightened rules on material reception conditions for asylum seekers and family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. The suspensions concern two separate laws, and the Court has referred several preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to clarify their compatibility with EU law.
05/02/2026
Twenty-five organisations have submitted a petition to the Belgian Constitutional Court challenging the new family reunification law, which entered into force in August 2025. The petition highlights concerns that the law creates barriers that may prevent families from reuniting, potentially separating children from their parents indefinitely.
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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.
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02/01/2026
Fragomen will host a webinar on recent changes to Belgium’s immigration policies. The session will cover two main areas: first, new rules in the Flanders Region concerning economic migration, including labour migration pathways, contractual liability, and labour market testing; and second, nationwide modifications affecting family reunification, such as stricter financial criteria for visa applications. The webinar will also highlight practical implications for businesses employing foreign nationals.
03/11/2011
The Flemish organisation 'Kruispunt M-I' invites for its study day on Partner Migration. The organisation will define major challenges for the migration policy on grounds of recent research
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09/11/2011
The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (‘Centre’) organizes a colloquium on the problematic of so called ‘reverse discrimination’ concerning the new national law on family reunification.
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28/11/2011
The King Baudouin Foundation, the European Policy Centre and the Odysseus Academic Network (ULB) have organised a Conference on Family reunification under strain: restrictive vs. flexible policies, on last 17 November
17/11/2011
Is there a need to change the EU rules on family reunification of migrants? By publishing its Green Paper on the right to family reunification of non-EU nationals living in the EU, the European Commission launched the debate
10/11/2011
The King Baudouin Foundation, the European Policy Centre and the Odysseus Academic Network are organising a Conference on Family reunification under strain: restrictive vs. flexible policies, on 17 November
14/09/2011
The Legal Service of the Brussels based Integration Centre "Foyer" offers a training session on the new Law on Familiy Reunification, published in the Belgian Monitor on 12 September 2011
15/09/2011
The French-speaking Belgian NGO 'Association for the Rights of Foreigners' (ADDE) offers a training concerning the new rules for familiy reunification
03/10/2011
The King Baudouin Foundation has organized between April 2010 to March 2011 different meetings gathering actors implicated by their personal or their professional background in the field of family reunification policies
16/09/2011
The Think-Tank Itinera Institute analyses in its publication the new legal rules on family reunification in Belgium
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14/09/2011
Het wetsvoorstel dat in juni gestemd werd om de Wet van 15 december 1980 te vervangen, verandert ook diepgaand de huidige structuur van gezinshereniging.
Het ADDE (Association pour le Droit des Etrangers) organiseert hierover een vorming op 6 oktober 2011 in de ULB, in de Dupréel zaal.
05/09/2011
In 2009, EU Member States issued about 2.3 million new residence permits to third country nationals, i.e. to non-EU citizens, a number that represents a decline of about
0.2 million compared with 2008.
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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
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23/06/2011
This is the Annual Report 2010 of the Belgian Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken/Office des Etrangers)
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
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06/05/2011
The European Immigration Lawyers Network (EILN) organises a bi-lingual conference (French/English) on familiy reunification in Europe
Where: Maison du Barreau, 2, rue de Harlay, 75001 Paris
When: 20 May 2011
Registration fee: € 200