This focussed study assesses whether Belgium actively attracts (highly) qualified third country nationals, analysing national measures and policies, their effectiveness and remaining challenges and barriers.

The Annual Conference of the European Migration Network was held on March 19 and 20. It aimed to provide a global context for the ‘competition for talent’ as well as the practical responses that Member States have developed to ensure that their skills needs can be identified and met.

On 30 September, the Belgian Contact Point of the EMN holds a lunchmeeting on attracting highly skilled and skilled third country nationals. A reflection is also launched ​​towards the future regionalization of labor migration policy.

The Belgian National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN) organises a lunchmeeting to present the results of the EMN-study on "Attracting Highly Qualified and Qualified Third-Country Nationals".

This recently published information sheet "EU Blue card: Highly qualified workers" provides information on beneficiaries, procedures, statuses, legal basis and appeals in this matter.

On 10 September 2012 the Belgian legislation transposing the Blue Card Directive(2009/50/EC) entered into force. The Blue Card Directive itself was adopted on 25 May 2009 to create a “European Blue Card” for highly qualified third-country nationals.