NEWS:
Georgia and Moldova have joined the EMN
In March 2021, Georgia and Moldova joined the European Migration Network (EMN) with an observer status. This is an important step towards reinforced cooperation in the areas of migration and asylum. It is for the first time that European Migration Network welcomes countries outside the European Economic Area.
The working arrangements establish the conditions of the administrative cooperation between the European Commission and Moldova and Georgia in the European Migration Network that accommodate both current and future co-operation needs. The possibility to cooperate with the non-EU countries is foreseen in the Council Decision on establishing a European Migration Network.
Video at the occasion of signing the agreement between the European Commission and Georgia: https://youtu.be/X8ybLIw0H5A
Video at the occasion of signing the agreement between the European Commission and Moldova: https://youtu.be/VpPcli8qSmc
New edition of EMN Bulletin
The European Commission published the 33rd edition of the EMN Bulletin which informs on the current developments, outputs and statistics in different areas of migration, integration and international protection at the level of the European Union and its Member States from October to December 2020. You can download a selection of key events here.
Inform on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on returns
Measures taken when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the implementation of return procedures of migrants. Health and safety conditions in detention had to be adjusted and migrants could return to their countries of origin only in case the travel was possible, and the flight connections were available. Inform Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on voluntary and forced return procedures and policy responses focuses on the changes in policies and measures taken by the EU and OECD Member States in return procedures between March and September 2020.
The data collected show that the number of forced returns plummeted during the early months of the pandemic and escorted forced returns were basically stopped except in specific cases. Voluntary returns continued despite the difficulty to provide the post-return assistance and some EU Member States even noticed an increase of requests for voluntary return. When it comes to detention, respective authorities were able to decrease the number of detainees especially by using alternatives to detention or releasing people who represented a low risk. In some cases, the implementation of returns was possible, but the Member States had to adjust the anti-pandemic requirements, e.g. by introducing quarantines, testing the returnees and the staff, equipping them with sanitary kits. Some practices have proven to work and may be maintained even after the pandemic, such as using the video conferences or other online communication tools more frequently when providing services to migrants and cooperating with the non-EU countries.
Study on seasonal workers from the non-EU countries
Seasonal workers from the non-EU countries play an important role at the labour market of the EU Member States. Short-term migration of seasonal nature represents one of the possibilities to replace the lack of workforce. Since adoption of the Directive on Seasonal Workers in 2016, the EU has harmonized the conditions of their entry to the labour market as well as their rights. The Synthesis Report “Attracting and protecting the rights of seasonal workers in the EU and United Kingdom” analysis the current situation and developments in the area of legislation and policies that were adopted by the Member States especially in 2019. Where relevant, it covers the period of the past five years, including the statistics.
New edition of EMN Bulletin
The European Commission published the 32nd edition of the EMN Bulletin. It informs about the developments, outputs and statistics in different areas of migration, integration and international protection at the level of the European Union and its Member States from July to September 2020. It includes the measures taken by the Member States in relation to the COVID-19 pandemics. You can download the Bulletin here.
Invitation to online film screening of One Way Ticket and discussion on helping refugees, 11 November 2020
We invite you to watch the documentary film One Way Ticket that tells a story of refugees who are facing a huge life change. Join also an online discussion about life in a refugee camp and how also we can help them. The film as well as the discussion will be available online during the One World Festival on 11 November 2020.
Organisation of the system of migration and asylum in the SR
The EMN has prepared an overview of the organisation of the system of migration and asylum in the Slovak Republic.
The document reviews the institutional framework and responsibilities of the actors active in the area of migration of the third-country nationals in the Slovak Republic.
It is available in Slovak and English.
EMN and OECD Inform on labour migration in times of pandemic
Measures taken by the EU and OECD countries to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the employment of foreigners. Decrease of economic activity reduced the demand for work in the sectors where migrants are employed, such as tourism and hospitality sector. On the other hand, as a result of travel restrictions, several countries experienced labour shortages, particularly in seasonal agricultural work. The joint EMN and OECD Inform maps the situation of third-country nationals who planned to enter the EU and the migrants entering non-EU OECD countries aiming to be employed in essential sectors (healthcare, agriculture, etc.) as well as those already residing in the EU and other OECD countries.
This EU and OECD Inform examines whether foreign workers employed in certain sectors were exempted from restrictions adopted at the external and internal boarders of the EU and OECD countries. It also reviews measures implemented as a response to the COVID-19 crisis at the national level to facilitate the entry of foreigners into the territory of a Member State and their access to the labour market. The Inform also analyses the impact of the pandemic on the third-country nationals already residing in the EU and OECD countries as well as the undocumented migrants in the EU who have been offered a possibility to regularize their status for employment. Finally, given the importance of agriculture, the Inform focuses on the measures adopted for seasonal workers in this sector.
The main findings of the Inform indicate that most EU and OECD countries identified specific occupational sectors as essential or key which enabled continued admission of foreigners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the countries introduced some exemptions from health measures for migrants employed in the identified sectors in order to facilitate entry into the territory and accelerate access to the labour market. Such exemptions included e.g. shorter or no quarantine periods or other alternatives to quarantine. Some states adopted measures in order to facilitate access to the labour market for the foreigners already residing in their territory with an aim to address labour shortages, especially in the sector of agriculture and healthcare. One of the findings shows that low skilled workers from the countries outside of the EU are over-represented in the occupations that play an important role in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the EU.
This Inform is part of the series of EMN and OECD Informs in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in the field of migration. It covers the developments in the EU Member States, Norway and the UK during the period between March and July 2020 and through August 2020 in the non-EU OECD countries.
EMN and OECD Inform on impact of COVID-19 on international students
As a response to the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic most EU and OECD countries have closed their national borders. Many universities were also temporarily closed. The international students faced various difficulties related to e.g. admission or enrollment to Higher Education Institutions (HIEs). We invite you to read the new EMN – OECD Inform that maps the impact of the pandemic situation and measures adopted to mitigate the impact on international students in EU and OECD countries.
The main findings of the Inform indicate that some EU and OECD countries modified or adapted their admission processes related to residence permits. Many HEIs also adapted their enrolment and admission procedures. Some countries have issued guidelines to HEIs in order to facilitate international student flows, respecting safety measures in place to combat the pandemic. Many countries introduced temporary measures to mitigate the financial impact that COVID-19 is having on international students, for example by increasing maximum working hours or opening access to national funds.
The Inform makes part of a series of Informs prepared by the EMN and OECD as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the migration area.
New Inform: EU and OECD Member States responses to managing residence permits and migrant unemployment during the Covid-19 pandemic
The EMN together with the OECD prepared Inform EU and OECD Member States responses to managing residence permits and migrant unemployment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The key findings of the Inform indicate that vulnerable communities including third-country nationals are being especially affected by the impacts of the pandemic. Many countries have introduced temporary measures with regard to the processing of applications for, and issuance and renewal of, residence permits to prevent legally staying migrants from falling into an irregular situation.
The measures taken include, inter alia, extension of authorisation to stay to migrants who were unable to leave because of the pandemic, facilitated online applications, easing of employment restrictions, and facilitated access to unemployment benefits for migrants. The Inform also explores ways of informing the migrants during the pandemic and provision of health services to irregular migrants.
This document is part of the series of EMN and OECD Informs which deal with measures adopted by EU Member States, Norway and UK in various areas of migration in relation to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
EMN Study on Pathways to citizenship for third-country nationals in the EU
Integration through acquisition of citizenship has become an important topic in many EU Member States in recent years, as the number of new migrants arriving in the EU has increased in recent years. The new EMN Synthesis Report published on this topic shows that citizenship is seen by the EU Member States as either the culmination of the integration process or as facilitating the integration process.
The report provides a comparative overview of recent trends, frameworks and good practices from 24 EU Member States and Norway on the acquisition of citizenship for third-country nationals. It describes how national policies evolved over the past five years in relation to the acquisition of citizenship, what are the criteria and procedures in place, how costly and long is the process, what type of support do Member States provide to third-country nationals wishing to acquire citizenship and how do Member States see the acquisition of citizenship in relation to integration of migrants into a host society. The report also informs on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the processing of applications for citizenship.
The EU report is supported by a shorter Inform and a Flash summarizing main findings, and by infographics. The Study of the Slovak Republic is available in questionnaire format in English and Slovak language version.
New EMN publication: Annual Report on Migration and Asylum in the Slovak Republic in 2019
The report informs about the most significant changes, developments and activities in the field of migration and international protection in Slovakia in 2010. In the Slovak Republic, the report is a unique publication of its kind which annually maps all areas of migration of third-country nationals in the context of EU policies and legislation. The report describes also context of migration and asylum policies development, legal migration, international protection including asylum, unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups, integration, citizenship and situation of stateless persons, border control and management, visa practice, irregular migration including migrant smuggling, countering trafficking in human beings as well as returns and readmissions. In the annex, the report presents selected statistics which are not collected at EU level.
The Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2019, which provides a comprehensive overview of national developments in the EU and Norway you can read here. The EU report is supported by a shorter Inform and a Flash. All publications are available together here.
EMN Study on a comparative overview of national protection statuses in EU and Norway
In the field of asylum, EU legislation requires Member States to harmonise their legislation and practices in line with the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). There are two protection statuses harmonised at European level - refugee status and subsidiary protection, however a variety of national protection statuses exist as well.
The Synthesis Report provides an overview of forms of protection granted by Member States and Norway other than those covered by EU asylum legislation. The study also describes procedures, rights and standards that come with these statuses and their comparison with the EU-harmonised statuses.
The EU report is supported by a shorter Inform and a Flash, summarizing main findings in succinct manner and by infographics. The Study of the Slovak Republic is available in questionnaire format in English and Slovak language version.
Soon to come
- EMN studies in 2019: Comparative overview of national protection statuses in the EU and Norway; Migratory Pathways for Start-Ups and Innovative Entrepreneurs in the EU; Pathways to citizenship for third-country nationals in the EU; Third-country nationals with a residence permit who pose a threat to national security: policies and practices in the EU
- EMN studies in 2020: Accurate, timely, interoperable? Data management in the asylum procedure; Attracting and Protecting Seasonal Workers from third countries in the EU; Sustainable solutions for long-term irregularly staying migrants: practices and challenges from EU Member States and Norway; Detention and alternatives to detention
Co-funded by the European Union 
