Participate in EU consultation on immigration procedures
The European Commission has launched a consultation on possible changes to the existing EU rules on entry and residence for non-EU students and researchers. Currently, there are specific legal rules at EU level on how students and researchers from outside the EU can come to the EU and move between its Member States, if the relevant period of study or research exceeds three months.
These rules also partially cover school pupils, volunteers and unremunerated trainees. In the consultation, the Commission is looking at whether certain immigration rules need to be improved and if so, in what way. It is also keen to learn more about any obstacles faced by non-EU nationals when trying to access the EU.
Possible improvements
Questions regarding visa, EU mobility rules, or labour market access are areas in which the EU could possibly make further improvements for students, researchers and potentially other groups.
You are invited to point out areas in which you think there is a particular EU added value to be created or improved. Important issues for the Netherlands are, for example:
- PhD candidates who do not receive a salary can be considered a ‘student’ under the EU student directive, or a ‘researcher’ under the EU researchers directive. In the Netherlands they now come under the researchers directive, but in many other EU countries they fall under the EU student directive. Should Europe make a choice about whether they come under legislation for students or for researchers and if so, which should it be?
- Should internships also be included in the legal framework, so that the EU lays down minimum immigration procedure criteria?
Go to the online consultation
http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=Immigration2012
The consultation is open until 23 August.