Ad Hoc Query on transposition of directive 2016/801 (students, au pairs, …)

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/recognized organizations mediating au pairs. This ad-hoc query was launched by the Belgian Contact Point to the EMN.

The Belgian Contact Point to the EMN launched an Ad Hoc Query in January 2017 on how Member States are currently dealing with some aspects of the directive, in particular types of financial resources used by international students, the use of frozen/blocked accounts by those students, and approved/recognized organizations mediating au pairs. The Ad-Hoc Query was launched because the Belgian authorities are currently looking into the transposition to best comply with the above-mentioned directive.

23 (Member) States provided an answer, including Belgium.

Some of the main findings of this Ad Hoc Query:

  • A proof of adequate financial resources is required from international students in the 23 responding countries. A  wide variety of ways to provide such proof is reported. Bank accounts with a required balance, guarantors, grants or scholarships are accepted in most countries as a proper way to establish sufficient ressources.
     
  • In only 3 of the 23 countries, a system of frozen/blocked accounts is sometimes used for international students to meet their living costs. This practice is used at the educational institutions’ discretion in 2 of the 3 countries and required by the embassy/government in the 3rd country.
     
  • The required amount of financial resources varies widely between the 23 countries. The amount can range from +/- €135 to €1454 per month.
     
  • In certain countries it is not possible for TCNs to get a permit for the primary purpose of being an au pair. In the other countries, the government/immigration services do not work with approved/recognized organizations mediating au pairs, except in one of them where such organizations play a formal role in the application process.

More detailed information can be found in the attached summary and compilation of the answers.

Publication Date:
Mon 24 Apr 2017
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