16 January 2015
The European law and migration team (EDEM) of the Catholic University of Louvain has published its newsletter that analyses recent asylum case law.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum
Keywords: case law, European Court of Human Rights, Court of Justice of the European Union
13 January 2015
On the occasion of the European Parliament plenary session of 13 January 2015, Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos spoke on human smuggling in the Mediterranean and the needed reaction of the EU
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Frontex, joint operation Triton, resettlement, Syrian refugees
09 January 2015
In a press release published on 6 January 2015, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons has announced that the number of people in need of protection and being recognized the refugee status has greatly increased in 2014
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Data & Statistics
Keywords: Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, protection need
08 January 2015
As from today, foreigners have to pay a fee for introducing certain applications for a residence permit in Belgium with a view to covering administrative costs relating to the processing of such applications.
Read more
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: processing fee, residence permit
01 January 2015
In the first half of 2015 Latvia will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Presidency will focus on the implementation of the Strategic Guidelines in the area of freedom, security and justice (June 2014), as well as on the respective follow-up initiatives.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: Council of the European Union, Latvian presidency
16 December 2014
Today the European Commission adopted its Work Programme for 2015 – setting out the actions the Commission intends to take over the next 12 months to make a real difference for jobs, growth and investment and bring concrete benefits for citizens.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Agenda on Migration, work programme
13 December 2014
The last update of reference amounts for the crossing of the external borders has been published in the EU Official Journal on 13 December 2014. Belgium’s requirements are outlined.
Read more
Main Theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: external border, means of subsistence, Schengen borders code
Council conclusions on migration in EU development cooperation : the migration and development nexus
12 December 2014
The Foreign affairs (development) Council meeting of 12 December 2014 has adopted a number of conclusions in the field of migration and development cooperation emphasizing the positive migration and development circle and orientations to strengthen this relation.
Read more
Main Theme: External Dimension
Keywords: migration and development, Foreign affairs Council meeting
11 December 2014
As part of the implementation of the government agreement of October 2014 as well as of the new reception scheme, the reduction of available reception places for asylum seekers has been approved by the Council of Ministers of 11 December 2014.
Read more
Main Theme: Reception
Keywords: buffer capacity, Council of minister, reception facilities, State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration
09 December 2014
Syria neighbouring States are increasingly affected by the number of refugees seeking sanctuary within their country. The European Commission is stepping up its assistance to Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon to contribute to address Syrian refugees’ needs.
Read more
Main Theme: Vulnerable groups, Asylum
Keywords: financial assistance, humanitarian support, Syrian refugees
05 December 2014
The Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting gathering all EU 28 Justice and Home Affairs national ministers took place on 4 and 5 December 2014. Managing migratory flows, the functioning of the Schengen area and acting on foreign fighters were the main migration related topics discussed.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Council of the European Union, Home Affairs
04 December 2014
On 4 December 2014, 22 Syrian refugees landed in Belgium for resettlement. 53 more are expected to arrive by the end of the year. Further resettlements of Syrian refugees are planned in 2015.
Read more
Main Theme: Vulnerable groups, Reception, International Protection
Keywords: resettlement, State Secretary for Migration and Asylum Policy, Syrian refugees
03 December 2014
The Court of Justice of the European Union has issued a case-law in relation to international protection and protection of human rights in the case of alleged persecutions because of an applicant's sexual orientation.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, International Protection, Vulnerable groups
Keywords: Court of Justice of the European Union, credibility, fundamental rights, sexual orientation
03 December 2014
Eurostat has released available data on asylum applicants and first instance decisions on asylum applications in the European Union in the third quarter of 2014
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum applications
28 November 2014
On 28 November 2014, the new State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration, Theo Francken, delivered the general policy note defining the main orientations and actions in the field of asylum and migration.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Keywords: policy note, State Secretary for Asylum Policy and Migration
26 November 2014
On 1 October 2014, the European Commission has released its 31st Annual Report on monitoring the application of EU law in Member States. As far as home affairs and migration issues are concerned, four infringement procedures are open against Belgium.
Read more
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: european law, infringement, monitoring
25 November 2014
On the occasion of 25 November 2014 EP Plenary Debate on Migration, EU new Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, introduced the debate and presented the EU main orientations and policy fields for an integrated approach on migration and asylum
Read more
Main Theme: External Dimension, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Commissioner on Migration and Home Affairs, European Agenda
21 November 2014
The proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Regulation (EU) No 604/2013, aims at clarifying Member States’ responsibilities for examining the application for international protection of unaccompanied minors
Read more
Main Theme: International Protection, Vulnerable groups
Keywords: unaccompanied minors
13 November 2014
Since 13 November 2014 and until May 2015, Belgium is chairing the Committee of Ministers, the political decision making organ of the Council of Europe. Under the Belgian Presidency, migration and asylum will be part of the issues tackled.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Integration, Vulnerable groups
Keywords: asylum and the European Convention on Human Rights, Belgian Presidency, Council of Europe
03 November 2014
On 11 November 2014, the European Commission has released its 6th bi-annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area covering the period from 1 May to 31 October 2014.
Read more
Main Theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Return & Readmission, Data & Statistics
Keywords: border management, irregular migration path, Schengen, visa policy
22 October 2014
Eurostat published data on first residence permits issued to non-EU nationals. A residence permit represents an authorization issued by the competent authorities of a country allowing third-country national (non-EU citizens) to stay legally on its territory.
Read more
Main Theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training, Data & Statistics
Keywords: residence permit
20 October 2014
On 20 October 2014, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has opened an investigation into how Frontex ensures the respect of fundamental rights of migrants who are subject to forced returns from the EU to their countries of origin.
Read more
Main Theme: Return & Readmission, External Dimension
Keywords: European ombudsman, forced return, Frontex, fundamental rights
10 October 2014
The Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting gathering all EU 28 Justice and Home Affairs national ministers took place on 9 and 10 October 2014. A strategic approach and operational priorities have been defined to take action to better manage migratory flows.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Council of the European Union, Home Affairs
08 October 2014
The new government Michel published its coalition agreement on 9 October 2014. Theo Francken (N-VA) was appointed as the new State Secretary for Asylum and Migration.
Read more
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: coalition agreement, State Secretary for Migration and Asylum Policy
01 October 2014
This website aims to inform persons who wish to find a salaried job, follow a professional training, become self-employed or study in Belgium about the recognition of foreign diploma.