Publication date: 24 October 2025
This ad hoc query seeks to gather information on how EU Member States implement the procedures for making, registering and lodging applications for international protection under the Asylum Procedures Directive (2013/32/EU). It addresses how the process is organised in law and practice, the accessibility of registration centres, and the assessment of applicants’ vulnerabilities. The query also covers the use of extended registration deadlines, difficulties in meeting registration timelines, and measures taken when applicants cannot be registered on time.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: international protection procedure, application for international protection, access to the procedure, registration centre
Publication date: 23 October 2025
This ad hoc query maps the issuance of travel documents for individuals recognised as stateless across EMN Member and Observer Countries. Information is provided on the type and validity of such documents, as well as on whether recognition as stateless automatically leads to the issuance of a residence permit.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: stateless persons, travel document, document validity
Publication date: 20 October 2025
This ad hoc query explores the tailored measures implemented to enhance the involvement of newly arrived third-country nationals (TCNs) in the host society, in particular, the fields these measures cover, the level at which they take place, whether TCNs who are already more permanently settled can participate, and whether nationals can volunteer to support their implementation. It also examines whether these measures are compulsory for TCNs to validate their integration path, and what the consequences are in the event of non-compliance, notably regarding the right of residence.
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Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: newly arrived third country national, host society, integration policy, volunteer
Publication date: 15 October 2025
This ad hoc query maps the specific provisions concerning separated migrant children in the legislation of the Member States, including the possibility for the accompanying adult to be recognised as responsible for, or as the representative of, the accompanied separated child. It also covers the arrangements in place to preserve the relationship between the separated child and the accompanying adult, as well as the monitoring of separated children.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: separated child, migrant child, care, representation, family member
Publication date: 11 October 2025
This ad hoc query examines where applicants for international protection (and beneficiaries of temporary protection) with special needs are accommodated. When accommodated in regular reception centres, the query explores the services provided in-house and the professionals employed in this regard. When applicants are accommodated in specialised facilities, the placement procedure is examined, including which stakeholders are involved and their respective roles and responsibilities. It also covers how these financial costs are borne.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, beneficiary of temporary protection, special needs, physical health, mental health
Publication date: 06 October 2025
This study provides an overview of legal and policy developments related to the implementation of the Family Reunification Directive since 2017. It examines the current state of national legislation, policies, and practices following two decades of the Directive’s application, incorporating relevant case law and highlighting both challenges and best practices. It also presents data on the scale and evolution of family reunification between 2017 and 2023 (and 2024 where available), drawing on both Eurostat and national sources.
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Main theme: Family reunification
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: Family Reunification Directive, application for family reunification, requirement, eligibility, sponsor, family member, digitalisation, access to rights
Publication date: 27 September 2025
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on national lists of safe countries of origin and safe third countries, including their adoption and use. It examined exceptions for specific regions or categories of applicants and the procedures applied to their claims. It also explored the application of the safe third country concept, including assessments, safeguards and practical challenges. Finally, it gathered information on sources used, case law, good practices and planned adaptations to the new Asylum Procedure Regulation.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: safe country of origin, safe third country, list, assessment, accelerated procedure, asylum procedure directive
Publication date: 27 September 2025
This ad hoc query maps the use of positive and negative incentives to encourage participation of beneficiaries of international protection in civic integration activities or civic integration programmes across EMN Member and Observer Countries.
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Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: integration programme, integration exam, participation, incentive
Publication date: 26 September 2025
This Inform examines how international protection applicants and accommodation centres are distributed across 23 EMN Member Countries and Serbia, and how such policies are governed and managed. It compares approaches, criteria and mechanisms used by different countries, highlighting both challenges and good practices. The study also looks at how local communities and stakeholders are informed and engaged in the process. Finally, it identifies opportunities for further collaboration to support effective reception and integration.
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Main theme: Integration, Reception
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: distribution, applicant for international protection, reception centre, local community, communication, funding, municipality
Publication date: 18 September 2025
This ad hoc query examines the systems and processes used by EMN Member and Observer Countries for scheduling and confirming interviews for applicants for international protection. It investigates the extent of automation used in coordinating the schedules of all participants (applicants, interviewers, interpreters, and legal representatives) and identifies recent developments in booking procedures.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: international protection procedure, personal interview
Publication date: 06 September 2025
This ad hoc query aims to map the processing times of work-based residence permits across EMN Member and Observer Countries, including the collection of statistics on such processing times and the existence of fast-track procedures for certain categories of employees.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: residence permit, work-based residence permit, processing time, highly skilled workers
Publication date: 04 September 2025
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, warns that externalised asylum and migration policies must be carefully designed to avoid serious human rights risks. His report highlights how transferring asylum, return, and border control functions to other countries can expose migrants to torture, arbitrary detention, and collective expulsions. Particular risks arise in the external processing of asylum claims, return procedures including “return hubs,” and outsourcing of border control. The Commissioner calls on states to adopt precautionary approaches, safeguard vulnerable people, and ensure transparency and accountability.
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Main theme: External Dimension
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: externalisation, return hub, border management, fundamental right, human rights
Publication date: 01 September 2025
Each year, the Immigration Office publishes an activity report. This annual report presents the activities of the Immigration Office over 2024, providing figures inter alia on entry and stay, vulnerable groups, international protection, the fight against irregular migration, return, and misuse of procedures.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: annual report, Immigration Office
Publication date: 31 August 2025
This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member and Observer countries allow the revocation of temporary protection residence permits when beneficiaries are granted temporary protection in another Member State under Article 8(1) of Directive 2001/55/EC. It seeks to identify the legal provisions governing such revocation or, where applicable, alternative approaches.
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Main theme: Temporary protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: temporary protection, residence permit, revocation, termination
Publication date: 24 August 2025
This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member and Observer Countries offer or intend to offer individual legal advice to applicants for international protection during the asylum procedure. It considers how the extent of need and allocation of resources are determined, whether certain sub-groups of applicants are distinguished, and what challenges and benefits arise from implementing such services.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: procedure for international protection, legal advice, counselling
Publication date: 15 August 2025
This ad hoc query examines how EMN Member and Observer countries verify that third-country nationals applying for residence permits with the purpose of study have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. The query also explores trends in the issuance of residence permits for third-country national students and their family members in recent years.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: student, sufficient financial resources, documentary proof, residence permit, application for family reunification
Publication date: 14 August 2025
This EMNews, the quarterly newsletter of the European Migration Network (EMN), offers an overview of EU and national developments in asylum and migration policy, as well as key statistics and related EMN publications for the period of April-June 2025.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: EMNews
Keywords: EMN, Newsletter, EMNews
Publication date: 07 August 2025
This ad hoc query compares the existence, type, and scope of bilateral or multilateral agreements on labour mobility between EMN Member and Observer Countries and non-EU/EEA countries, including whether they target general or sector-specific mobility, contain protection provisions, and provide monitoring or evaluation mechanisms.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: labour mobility, labour mobility agreement, labour mobility partnership, labour shortage
Publication date: 01 August 2025
The Belgian authorities launched this ad hoc query to understand how other Member States provide information to third-country nationals in the context of return, in order to fulfil their obligation under the Return Directive, and to assess whether making this information available via a website or IT application would be considered sufficient to meet these requirements.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: return counselling, information provision, digitalisation
Publication date: 22 July 2025
The European Pact on Asylum and Migration, adopted in May 2024, introduces binding obligations for EU Member States, including Belgium, on the identification and protection of stateless persons. The Nansen report highlights the specific challenges faced by stateless persons in Belgium and offers key recommendations to ensure their effective access to international protection.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, stateless persons
Publication date: 20 July 2025
This ad hoc query examines how EMN Member Countries use new technologies to address language barriers during return procedures for third-country nationals. It investigates the deployment of tools such as translation software, handheld devices, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence throughout the return process. The query also reviews relevant legal and data protection frameworks and the application of these tools in key return-related activities like identification, communication of decisions, and detention procedures.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: language barrier, digital tool
Publication date: 16 July 2025
This EMN study examines how 25 countries address the international dimension of human trafficking, encompassing prevention, law enforcement, victim support, and international partnerships. It presents national approaches, good practices and persistent challenges, both within EMN countries and in cooperation with third countries. Readers will find examples of institutional cooperation, capacity-building efforts, and initiatives targeting specific regions or groups. The study also highlights how recent EU policy developments are shaping national anti-trafficking strategies.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: trafficking victim, non-EU national, anti-trafficking strategy, international dimension
Publication date: 09 July 2025
The European Migration Network's Asylum and Migration Overview (AMO) 2024 provides an overview of legal and policy developments at both EU and national levels, covering various migration and asylum topics, complemented by Eurostat statistics and national data, for the period January to December 2024.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: Annual Policy Reports
Keywords: annual report
Publication date: 10 June 2025
The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 provides an overview of the state of fundamental rights in the EU, highlighting key developments and trends observed in 2024. The report includes a dedicated section on ‘Migration and asylum at the EU’s external borders’, which addresses, among other issues, challenges related to search and rescue operations, incidents of ill-treatment and rights violations at borders, concerns about border procedures under the New Pact, and fundamental rights risks associated with proposed return policies.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: fundamental rights, external border, rights violations, ill-treatment, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, border procedure, monitoring mechanism, return hub
Publication date: 01 June 2025
This research paper introduces the "IRMIGRIGHT", the first bespoke database of social and labour rights of irregularly staying migrants in twenty-eight European countries. A number of findings emerge from the data analysis, including the fact that, on average, irregularly staying migrants have significantly weaker social rights than labour rights.
