In response to the growing awareness of the barriers for irregularly staying adult migrants to access higher education, vocational training and employment, the Netherlands sought to map out existing legislation and practices in other EMN Member countries to facilitate this access.

Attracting students from third countries and facilitating their entry into the national labour market is a priority to the EU. The EMN has published a study on 25 EU countries’ efforts to provide opportunities for international students.

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.

Ad hoc query, requested by the Swedish NCP concerning the possibilities for third-country students to remain in a European Union Member State after completing their studies in the EU. 20 responses

Report of the Universities UG (Ghent) and ULB (Brussels) on behalf of the Belgian government