Publication date: 12 May 2026
This Inform examines how digital services in legal migration procedures are designed and implemented in EMN Member and Observer Countries to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It looks at how authorities have adapted applications, document submission, appointment booking, communication and information exchange, and case-tracking services in the context of the ongoing digitalisation of legal migration procedures. The analysis is based on contributions from 25 EMN Member and Observer Countries.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training, Citizenship & Nationality, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: legal migration, digitalisation, accessibility, inclusion
Publication date: 10 April 2026
This ad hoc query examines the extent to which EMN Member and Observer Countries require medical certificates in the context of applications for temporary and permanent residence permits. More specifically, it inquires at what stage in the procedure the medical certificate is requested and what medical conditions are examined.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: application for a residence permit, medical examination, medical certificate
Publication date: 18 January 2026
This ad hoc query provides an overview of which EMN Member and Observer Countries require criminal record certificates in order to issue long-stay visas or residence permits. Details are provided on the categories of third-country nationals exempted from this requirement, the countries from which these certificates are required (country of origin and/or of previous residence), the other types of documents that may be accepted in lieu of a certificate (such as an affidavit), and more.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: visa, residence permit, application, criminal record certificate, security
Publication date: 14 December 2025
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how EMN Member and Observer Countries have adapted digital services in legal migration procedures to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It examined compliance with relevant EU and international frameworks, as well as national legislation. It also explored additional accessibility measures, support for users with special needs, GDPR safeguards, user involvement in service design, and approaches to digital disadvantage, alongside challenges and good practices identified by countries.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training, Citizenship & Nationality, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: legal migration, digitalisation, accessibility, inclusion
Publication date: 14 November 2025
This ad hoc query maps the legislation and current practices in EMN Member and Observer Countries regarding the issuance of authorisations to stay for study purposes granted to minors. This mapping includes eligibility criteria, procedural requirements, and information on who assumes responsibility for the minor during their stay in the receiving country.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: residence permit, authorisation to stay, minor, education
Publication date: 10 November 2025
This ad hoc query examines whether national procedures allow or require immigration officers to request missing or additional information from applicants for legal migration after an initially incomplete application, and, if so, under what circumstances, to what extent, and within which deadlines.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: legal migration, application for a residence permit, missing information
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: 01 May 2025
The 2025 SIRIUS Migrant Education Policy Index introduces a novel framework for evaluating inclusive education policies across 15 EU Member States. Structured around seven key dimensions, the Index highlights existing disparities and effective practices in supporting migrant learners. It underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure equitable and high-quality education for all students, regardless of migration background. The report advocates for a learner-centred approach prioritising structural flexibility, cultural and linguistic inclusion, and coordinated policy interventions.
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Main theme: Integration, Study § Training
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: education policy, Migrant education, migrant student, undocumented student
Publication date: 18 July 2024
This ad hoc query focuses on the implementation of Article 31(2) of Directive 2016/801, which sets out the conditions for notifying mobility of students between two or more EU Member States. The query examines the mobility notification process, existing arrangements in the absence of an official notification process, and the rules applicable to students covered by an EU programme, a multilateral programme involving mobility measures or an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, as opposed to those applicable to students who are not.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: student mobility, notification, mobility agreement
Publication date: 11 October 2023
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.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Study § Training, Irregular Migration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: access to education, access to employment, irregularly staying third-country national
Publication date: 14 August 2022
Do Member States grant access to the labour market to family members of international students and, if so, to which family members and under which conditions? This ad hoc query launched by Belgium shows that policies and practices in this matter still vary among Member States.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: student, family member, labour market access
Publication date: 28 April 2022
On 25 April 2022, the EMN published its inform on attracting and retaining international researchers, which provides an overview of the means adopted by Member States to enhance attractiveness for international researchers, as well as the main challenges and best practices that they encountered to admit and retain them.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: Informs
Publication date: 08 March 2022
This EMN inform outlines approaches, experiences and best practices in monitoring, detecting and addressing the misuse of authorisations to reside in the EU for the purpose of study.
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Publication date: 17 September 2020
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the ability of international students to enrol in a HEI abroad and to travel to that country to take up studies. How did EU & OECD countries respond? Did they adapt their admission processes? An answer to these and other questions can be found in the Inform.
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Publication date: 23 August 2019
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.
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Publication date: 24 April 2017
23 (Member) States provided information on how they are currently dealing with some aspects of Directive 2016/801, in particular types of financial resources used by international students, the use of frozen/blocked accounts by international students, and approved/recognised organisations mediating au pairs. This ad-hoc query was launched by the Belgian Contact Point to the EMN.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Study § Training
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: student directive
Publication date: 03 December 2014
This policy brief is part of a series produced by the SIRIUS Network in collaboration with MPI Europe, which focuses on how policies at the EU level and within individual Member States can better support the education outcomes of young people with a migrant background.
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Main theme: Study § Training, Integration
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: education policy, integration policy, migrant pupil need, Social cohesion
Publication date: 12 August 2013
This report examines the barriers that internationally mobile professionals may face, the policies that have been adopted to overcome these barriers and the lessons that governments can draw from policy experiences to date.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: credentials, qualifications, skills recognition
Publication date: 14 June 2013
The annual "activity report" 2012 of the Immigration Office is available.
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Publication date: 15 April 2013
Based on the contributions from 24 EMN NCPs, this synthesis report provides an overview of the immigration and mobility policies allowing international students to enter into and move within the EU for the purpose of study.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: EMN Reports & Studies
Keywords: student directive, student mobility, student route
Publication date: 08 February 2013
The commission is expected to present a proposal to amend and merge the directive on students and the researchers directive. Background information and state of play can be found here.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Keywords: EU directive, researcher directive
Publication date: 08 February 2013
The commission has presented a proposal to amend and merge the directive on students and the researchers directive. Background information and state of play can be found here.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Keywords: EU directive, student directive
Publication date: 03 October 2012
This research project undertaken by Prof. F. Caestecker (University College Ghent) investigates the policy towards international students and the extent to which third-country nationals used opportunities to study in Belgium during the last decade.
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Main theme: Study § Training
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: admission, education, mobility, student
Publication date: 03 May 2012
The Center for the study of democracy presents a handbook within the project “Integrating Refugee and Asylum-seeking Children in the Educational Systems of EU Member States: Evaluation and Promotion of Current Best Practices” – INTEGRACE.
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Publication date: 29 February 2012
The Frontex Risk Analysis Network (FRAN) released its newest quarterly Issue 3, July–September 2011.
