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.

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.

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.

The European Commission published on 26 September 2014 a handbook to help EU Member States take action against marriages of convenience between EU citizens and non-EU nationals in the context of EU law on free movement. The Commission prepared the handbook in close cooperation with Member States.

On 4 September 2014, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a case-law concerning the interpretation of the Regulations establishing the Schengen Borders Code (2006) and the Visa Code (2009)

2013 statistics on enforcement of immigration legislation have been released by Eurostat in September 2014.

The King Baudouin Foundation aims to reduce vulnerability amongst newcomers settling in Belgium through marriage. Associations working on marriage migration related challenges are invited to submit possible projects before 16 April 2014.

De Europese Commissie stelt richtsnoeren voor met het oog op een correcte toepassing van de richtlijn inzake gezinshereniging (2003/86/EG) over de lidstaten heen alsook met het oog op het tegengaan van eventuele misbruiken.

In een mededeling die vandaag verspreid werd, stelt de Commissie richtsnoeren op over de toepassing van de Richtlijn 2003/86/EG. De Lidstaten worden uitgenodigd om hun beoordelingsmarge te gebruiken op een manier die de doelstelling van de richtlijn niet ondermijnt.

De nieuwe maatregelen maken de informatie uitwisseling omtrent schijnrelaties en vermoedens over schijnrelaties verplicht vanaf 3 april 2014.

The Commission presented two proposals today to greatly facilitate the procedures for short-stay visitors. Important changes in the visa rules aim to stimulate the European economy and facilitate the lives of travellers towards the EU.

De Dienst Rechtsbescherming van Foyer organiseert een seminarie van een halve dag (Brussels Platform) over de nieuwe wet in de strijd tegen schijnhuwelijk en schijn-wettelijke samenwoning.