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  • Publications (18)
  • Events (8)
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  • EMN Studies (1)
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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

Bridging the digital divide: Digital services in legal migration procedures for accessibility and inclusion (EMN Inform)

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.

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

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

Belgian court confirms sponsor’s and partner’s means of subsistence must be taken into account in family reunification applications

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.

 

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Constitutional Court
application for family reunification
income requirement
partner's income

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

Belgian Constitutional Court temporarily suspends stricter reception and family reunification rules

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.

Theme:
Reception
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Constitutional Court
suspension
limitation
material reception condition
family reunification
beneficiary of subsidiary protection

25 organisations challenge new family reunification law before Constitutional Court

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.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
family reunification law
access to family reunification
petition
Constitutional Court

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

Webinar - Belgium: Changes to Immigration Policy in Flanders and to Family Reunification Rules

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.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
Flanders
illegal employment
labour market test
low-skilled workers
financial requirement
application for family reunification

Study Day: Partner Migration - Research and the Challenges for Policy

Logo 'Kruispunt Integratie-Migratie'

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Integration
Keywords:
family migration policy

Colloquium: Belgians - second-rate EU-citizens? The new Belgian law on family reunification

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.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
family migration policy
Family Reunification Directive

Family reunification under strain: restrictive vs. flexible policies

Cover Family Reunification

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Study
Keywords:
family migration policy

Family life is a right for migrants too - how to ensure it?

Logo EU

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
family migration policy

Conference: Family reunification under strain: restrictive vs. flexible policies - 17 November 2011

Conference Family Reunification cover

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
family migration policy

Training: New Legal Rules Familiy Reunification

Logo 'Foyer'

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
family migration policy

Training: Reform of the Legal Rules on Family Reunification

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
family migration policy

Family Reunification in Belgium: giving the floor to field actors

King Boudouin Foundation

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Thematic Studies
Keywords:
family migration policy

What is at Stake with Family Reunification in Belgium?

cover Itinera-Study

16/09/2011

The Think-Tank Itinera Institute analyses in its publication the new legal rules on family reunification in Belgium

Theme:
Family Migration
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
Immigrant integration
labour market

Een trainingsnamiddag over de wetshervorming van gezinshereniging

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.

Theme:
Gezinshereniging
Type:
Evenement
Keywords:
gezinshereniging

Eurostat Statistics in Focus: Residence permits issued to non-EU citizens

cover eurostat report statistics in focus

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.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Data & Statistics
Publication type:
Report
Keywords:
Eurostat
residence permit

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

Annual Report 2010, Immigration Office

Cover Annual Report 2010, Immigration Office

23/06/2011

This is the Annual Report 2010 of the Belgian Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken/Office des Etrangers)

Theme:
Asylum
Migration
Economic migration
Family Migration
Citizenship & Nationality
Borders & Visa
Irregular Migration
Return & Readmission
Smuggling & Trafficking
Regularization

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

Conference: Family Reunification in EU Law (1 day)

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

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event

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