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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

Family migration represented around 45% of all long-stay visas granted in 2023, according to Myria

12/09/2024

Myria has published the third thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section entitled "Right to family life", Myria calls for more accurate, regular and transparent information regarding the family reunification procedure at its various stages, both at the level of diplomatic posts and external service providers, ensuring the accessibility – including linguistic – of this information for the target audience.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
long-stay visa
first residence permit
application for family reunification

Various changes to family reunification in Belgium come into force on 1 September 2024

01/09/2024

The law of 10 March 2024 amending the law of 15 December 1980 on the right to family reunification comes into force on 1 September 2024. The changes have an impact among other things on the right to family reunification for parents of accompanied minors with international protection, the right to family reunification for stateless persons, the assessment of minorhood in the asylum procedure or residence procedure for stateless person, etc.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
right to family reunification
application for family reunification

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

EMN Netherlands, in cooperation with EMN Belgium, organised a conference on family reunification with beneficiaries of international protection

24/04/2024

On 24 April 2024, EMN Netherlands, in cooperation with EMN Belgium, organised a conference on family reunification with beneficiaries of international protection. The conference highlighted the EMN Inform on “Family Reunification for Beneficiaries of International Protection”, which was elaborated in light of the 20th anniversary of the Family Reunification Directive. 

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
beneficiary of international protection
family tie
documentary proof
children

EMN Netherlands Conference: Family Reunification in Europe and the Netherlands

14/03/2024

This conference organised by EMN Netherlands, in cooperation with EMN Belgium, will focus on family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection in EMN Member and Observer Countries. The influence of European case law in this field will also be examined in more detail. 

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
family reunification right
beneficiary of international protection

Family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection (EMN Inform)

19/04/2024

On the 20th Anniversary of the Family Reunification Directive, this Inform offers a thorough examination of family reunification practices and legislation for beneficiaries of international protection across EMN Member and Observer Countries. It specifically looks at the procedures in place for applying for family reunification and how these have evolved considering recent (since 2017) case law before the European Court of Justice (CJEU), and where relevant the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Informs
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
beneficiary of international protection
application for family reunification
documentary proof
real family relationship
minors of age

The Court of Justice says that an unaccompanied minor refugee retains the right to family reunification even if he reaches majority during the procedure

30/01/2024

In a judgement released today, the Court of Justice of the European Union held that an unaccompanied minor refugee, who reached majority during the procedure relating to the application for family reunification with his or her parents, has a right to such reunification.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
unaccompanied minor refugee
minor sponsor
application for family reunification

Book presentation: Family reunification under pressure

03/01/2024

Researcher and author Pascal Debruyne will present his book which contains stories of parents and minors who struggle through the family reunification procedure and stories of care providers who try their best to support these families. Panel discussions will also take place with experts in this field.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event

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

The "white marriage" unit starts operating in Brussels South police area

03/12/2012

A "White Marriages" cell has been created in the Special Laws Division of the Brussels South police area. It has started its activities on 3 december 2012.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
investigation
legal cohabitation
marriage of convenience

Draft legislation to better struggle against marriages and cohabitations of convenience in Belgium

05/10/2012

Maggie De Block, State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Policy, Social Integration and the Fight against Poverty, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Justice, proposed to the Council of Ministers to modify the concerned legislation.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
legal cohabitation
marriage of convenience

Maggie De Block is willing to act against false declarations of parenthood

Photo Maggie De Block

24/08/2012

Secretary of State Maggie De Block (Open VLD) pays attention to misuse of the right to family reunification, more particularly false declarations of parenthood.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
False declaration of parenthood
misuse
fraud

Eurostat statistics on marriages with foreign-born persons in European countries

Logo Eurostat

01/07/2012

Eurostat publishes an edition of 'statistics in focus' on mixed-marriages. By using data from two EU surveys, the percentage of persons in mixed marriage is estimated in 30 European countries over recent years.

Theme:
Family Migration
Data & Statistics
Type:
News item
Keywords:
mixed marriages

Misuse of the right to family reunification (EMN Inform)

Cover EMN Inform

29/06/2012

This EMN Inform presents the main outcomes of the above-titled EMN Focussed Study.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Informs
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
Green paper on Family Reunification

Misuse of the Right to Family Reunification: Marriages of Convenience and False Declarations of Parenthood - EU Synthesis (EMN)

Cover page of EMN synthesis report on Misuse of Family Reunification Right

27/06/2012

Based on the main findings of national contributions from 24 EMN NCP, the report highlights similarities and differences in means of prevention, detection and action, as well as statistics related to marriages of convenience and false declarations of parenthood.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Thematic Studies
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
Green paper on Family Reunification
grey marriage
white marriage

Misuse of the Right to Family Reunification: Marriages of Convenience and False Declarations of Parenthood in Belgium (EMN)

25/04/2012

In this national contribution to the EMN focussed study, the Belgian Contact Point clarifies the scope of the issue and presents national means of prevention, detection and actions against such misuses, as well as statistics in this field.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Thematic Studies
Keywords:
False declaration of parenthood
marriage of convenience

ERA seminar: Family Reunification Procedures in European Migration Law (2 days)

ERA Logo

06/03/2012

This seminar of the Academy of European Law will provide legal practitioners with an in-depth analysis of the relevant legislative measures, the most recent and important developments in jurisprudence and the impact of European human rights instruments on the issue of familiy reunification.

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
Event
Keywords:
ERA
Family Law

Response of Belgium on Green paper consultation on Family reunification.

Belgian flag

15/03/2012

Belgium responded to the Green paper consultation of the European Commission on the Right to Family Reunification of Third Country Nationals (Directive 2003/86/EC).

Theme:
Family Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Green paper

UNHCR’s Response to the European Commission Green Paper on the Right to Family Reunification

Cover UNHCR's publication

07/03/2012

UNHCR answers questions raised by the European Commission on the Right to Family Reunification of Third Country Nationals. It provides practical recommendations on different issues of concern related to family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection.

Theme:
Family Migration
Keywords:
Family Reunification Directive
refugee

Marriages of convenience: A comparative study

02/02/2012

This report was commissioned by the Norwegian Directoratie of Immigration (UDI) and managed by Econ Pöyry. The study provides an overview of rules and practices in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Theme:
Family Migration
Publication type:
Report
Keywords:
marriages of convenience

Training on Family Reunification from 9:30 to 12:30

12/01/2012

The new law from 8 July 2011 makes family reunification related provisions more complex. This half study day plans to clarify new provisions and their impact on persons whose application is pending or who are temporarily allowed to stay on the territory.

Theme:
Family Migration
Keywords:
legislation

Webinar recordings of "How to respond to the EU Family Reunion Consultation" now available

24/01/2012

The Migration Policy Group publishes the recordings of the webinar presenting the four MPG Family Reunion policy briefings to assist organisations responding to the EU Family Reunion consultation

Theme:
Migration
Family Migration
Keywords:
Migration Policy Group
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