The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGVS) announced on 15 January 2026 that it is temporarily suspending the processing of applications for international protection from Iranian nationals. The CGVS stated that, given the current situation in Iran and the difficulty in obtaining sufficiently reliable and up-to-date information, it is currently unable to assess the need for protection accurately.

Fragomen will host a webinar on recent changes to Belgium’s immigration policies. The session will cover two main areas: first, new rules in the Flanders Region concerning economic migration, including labour migration pathways, contractual liability, and labour market testing; and second, nationwide modifications affecting family reunification, such as stricter financial criteria for visa applications. The webinar will also highlight practical implications for businesses employing foreign nationals.

On 12 January 2026, Myria issued a press release regarding a joint opinion with the Federal Institute for Human Rights (IFDH) on a draft law concerning the automatic loss of Belgian nationality. The joint opinion raises concerns over the significant expansion of offences and individuals affected, including dual nationals and Belgian-born citizens. Myria and IFDH highlight potential conflicts with equality, procedural safeguards, and fundamental rights, including the presumption of innocence. The press release draws attention to the consequences for residence rights and the need for thorough judicial review.

On 8 January 2026, the Resettlement Coalition issued a joint statement expressing concern over the European Union’s newly adopted Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Plan (URP) for 2026–2027. While welcoming the plan’s adoption as a step towards embedding resettlement in EU migration policy, the coalition highlighted that the number of pledges is dramatically lower than previous commitments and that the eligibility criteria are narrow. The statement calls on EU Member States to increase their contributions and ensure that protection needs remain central to resettlement efforts.

From 1 January 2026, the Onder1Dak project, which promotes co-housing between private homeowners and recognised refugees in Flanders, has restarted following renewed support from the Flemish Minister for Civic Integration and Integration. The initiative aims to facilitate access to housing while supporting the social and professional integration of recognised refugees.

On 1 January 2026, Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. The Presidency’s programme includes the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the efficiency of asylum and return systems, and cooperation with third countries. International organisations have issued recommendations to the Cyprus Presidency on migration and asylum.

Op 10 december 2019 organiseerde EMN België zijn jaarlijkse event over asiel en migratie. Recente nationale en Europese ontwikkelingen inzake internationale bescherming, legale migratie, irreguliere migratie en terugkeer kwamen aan bod.

Op 10 december 2019 organiseert EMN België zijn jaarlijks policy event over asiel en migratie, waarbij recente nationale en EU ontwikkelingen op het vlak van internationale bescherming, legale migratie en integratie en irreguliere migratie en terugkeer worden besproken.

Het EMN verrichte recent een studie getiteld "Beneficiaries of International Protection Travelling to and Contacting Authorities of their Country of Origin”. In een korte video worden enkele bevindingen van deze studie belicht.

This report provides a broad overview of recent trends in international migration flows and migration policies in OECD countries and some non-OECD countries.

Op 22 oktober 2019 publiceerde de Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten vzw (VVSG) de resultaten van de enquête die de VVSG afnam in het voorjaar van 2019. Hieruit blijkt dat vooral de zoektocht naar een woning voor erkende vluchtelingen en subsidiair beschermden zeer problematisch is. De regelgeving stelt dat zij het Lokale Opvanginitiatief (LOI) in principe binnen de twee maanden moeten verlaten. Net als in de VVSG-bevraging van 2017 acht de helft van de respondenten die termijn niet haalbaar. Bij bijna 1 op 5 lukt dit zeer uitzonderlijk, en enkel dankzij de mogelijkheid om het verblijf in het LOI tweemaal met telkens 1 maand te verlengen.

_{The conference 'From Tampere 20 to Tampere 2.0: Towards a new programme (2020-2024) for EU migration and asylum policies 20 years after the Tampere conclusions?' was held in Helsinki on the 24th and the 25th of October.}

On 8 October 2019, Fedasil launched the new information platform www.fedasilinfo.be. The mobile website provides applicants for international protection (asylum seekers) in Belgium with reliable information in 12 languages, 8 of which include an audio version.

The Annual National Conference of the EMN Luxembourg on “Attracting start-up founders and innovative entrepreneurs from third countries” will be held on the 1st October in Esch-sur-Alzette.