The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGVS) announced on 15 January 2026 that it is temporarily suspending the processing of applications for international protection from Iranian nationals. The CGVS stated that, given the current situation in Iran and the difficulty in obtaining sufficiently reliable and up-to-date information, it is currently unable to assess the need for protection accurately.

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.

On 12 January 2026, Myria issued a press release regarding a joint opinion with the Federal Institute for Human Rights (IFDH) on a draft law concerning the automatic loss of Belgian nationality. The joint opinion raises concerns over the significant expansion of offences and individuals affected, including dual nationals and Belgian-born citizens. Myria and IFDH highlight potential conflicts with equality, procedural safeguards, and fundamental rights, including the presumption of innocence. The press release draws attention to the consequences for residence rights and the need for thorough judicial review.

On 8 January 2026, the Resettlement Coalition issued a joint statement expressing concern over the European Union’s newly adopted Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Plan (URP) for 2026–2027. While welcoming the plan’s adoption as a step towards embedding resettlement in EU migration policy, the coalition highlighted that the number of pledges is dramatically lower than previous commitments and that the eligibility criteria are narrow. The statement calls on EU Member States to increase their contributions and ensure that protection needs remain central to resettlement efforts.

From 1 January 2026, the Onder1Dak project, which promotes co-housing between private homeowners and recognised refugees in Flanders, has restarted following renewed support from the Flemish Minister for Civic Integration and Integration. The initiative aims to facilitate access to housing while supporting the social and professional integration of recognised refugees.

On 1 January 2026, Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. The Presidency’s programme includes the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the efficiency of asylum and return systems, and cooperation with third countries. International organisations have issued recommendations to the Cyprus Presidency on migration and asylum.

The government Di Rupo published on 1 December 2011 its coalition agreement. We summarize the most important political goals of the new government with regard to migration and asylum

Eurostat presents its report 'Migrants in Europe - A Statistical Portrait of the First and Second Generation'

The report of the Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (Centre) offers facts and figures on migration flows to Belgium up to 2009

On December, 20, 2011,The Directive 2011/95/EC was published. The Qualification directive sets standards for the identification of people in need of international protection in the EU either as refugees or as beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.

Three Belgian NGO's (Ciré, Flemish Refugee Action & BCHR) are organizing a serial of three seminars on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Convention

On 16 December 2011, the Council of Ministers prolonged the temporary provisions concerning restrictions of free access to the labour market for Bulgarian and Romanian workers till 31 December 2013

National Conference of the Bulgarian National Contact Point of the EMN on 13 December 2011 in Sofia

ECtHR finds Belgium violated Article 3 and 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights by detaining a mother and three children during asylum procedure

Directive 2011/98/EC is a directive on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State

The Flemish Support Point Labour and Social Economy organizes together with the Flemish Department Labour and Social Economy the 5th Labour Market Congress with a focus on Labour Migration

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

This seminar organised by the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Brussels, focusses on highskilled employers migration waves of third countries.

The Service 'Roma and Travellers' of the Regional Ingetration Centre 'Foyer' in Brussels organise a study day on the topic of Roma living in the Brussels region