According to Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the minimum proof of sufficient means of subsistance for non-EU students wishing to study in Belgium has been increased. She said the measure aims to strengthen study migration as a gateway for international talent while preventing financial abuse and protecting students from precarious situations.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: student migration, sufficient financial resources, sufficient means of subsistance, guarantor
The documents set out key elements of the European Commission’s approach to managing international mobility to the EU. The EU Visa Strategy aims to strengthen the Union’s security and integrity through enhanced visa procedures, modernise the processing and management of visas, and support the EU’s economy and competitiveness by facilitating legitimate travel. Complementing this, the Recommendation on Attracting Talent for Innovation provides guidance to Member States on attracting, admitting, and retaining international students, researchers, highly skilled workers, and innovative entrepreneurs.
Main Theme: Economic migration, Study § Training, Borders & Visa
Keywords: visa policy, visa strategy, talent attraction, talent retention
Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a thematic report on economic migration, free movement and students as part of its annual report "Migration in figures and rights 2025". The publication explains trends in labour migration and study-related mobility. It shows that labour migration from outside the EU has slightly decreased, the share of third-country nationals among temporary postings has continued to grow, and student numbers are increasing.
Main Theme: Economic migration, Study § Training
Keywords: Myria, annual report, labour migration, student migration, temporary posting
On 19 June 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a judgment in response to a request from the Brussels Court of First Instance (French-speaking) regarding appeal procedures following the refusal of student visas. The referral followed concerns raised by Belgian lawyers and the NGO CIRÉ, highlighting that late notification of refusals often prevents students from exercising an effective remedy. The Court clarified that, while no urgent procedure is required, national systems must ensure that visa decisions and related appeals are issued in time for a meaningful judicial review.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: student visa, refusal, effective remedy
Students, who were originally from Syria and Congo before becoming refugees in Egypt and Uganda, have the opportunity to start this new academic year in Belgian universities thanks to the legal and sustainable migration pathway offered by the university corridors.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: university corridor, legal pathway, refugee
In a judgement from 29 July 2024, the Court of Justice of the EU states that a Member State may reject an abusive application for an authorisation to reside on its territory for the purpose of study, even if it has not correctly transposed the directive that provides for that option.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: abusive application, abusive practice, abusive intention, study
The Royal Decree of 23 April 2018 introduced changes with regards to extending or ending the stay of international students. It details – inter alia – in which cases an order to leave the territory can be issued to a student when he/she extends his/her studies in an excessive manner considering the results.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: student
In 2018, the European Migration Network (EMN) celebrates its 10 year anniversary. On this occasion, the EMN organized a conference on 15 May in Brussels.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: anniversary, EMN conference
On the 26th of October 2017 the general policy note on asylum and migration of the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration was published. The policy note provides an overview of the main achievements and priorities in the field of asylum and migration.
A decree of the government of the French-speaking Community – which entered into force today – introduces changes regarding the procedure of recognition of the equivalence of higher education diplomas and certificates obtained abroad.
Main Theme: Economic migration, Study § Training
Keywords: Projet sur les migrants disparus, décès de migrant
On 6 and 7 July, the Slovakian National Contact Point of the EMN - in connection with its Member State's Presidency of the Council of the EU - organized the annual EMN conference. This time the conference focused on sustainable returns and cooperation with countries of origin.
Main Theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: country of origin, EMN conference
An EU directive to harmonise EU entry and residence rules to make it easier and more attractive for people from third countries to study or do research at EU universities.
Main Theme: Migration, Study § Training
Keywords: European Parliament, intern, researcher, student
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.
Main Theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training, Data & Statistics
Keywords: residence permit
This website aims to inform persons who wish to find a salaried job, follow a professional training, become self-employed or study in Belgium about the recognition of foreign diploma.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: diploma, recognition
The joint European Commission-OECD report on Matching Economic Migration with Labour Market Needs shows that migration and mobility have a key role to play to address demographic decline and skills shortages in the EU.
Main Theme: Data & Statistics, Study § Training, Economic migration
Keywords: migrants' skills, labour mobility, labour migration, employment, demography
This request for a preliminary ruling concerns the interpretation of Article 12 of Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December 2004 on the conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: Court of Justice of the European Union, Directive 2004/114/EC, student mobility, student visa
The Immigration Office noticed the minimum monthly amount of livelihoods which is required from a student who wish to study in Belgium during the school or academic year 2014-2015.
Main Theme: Study § Training
Keywords: livelihood, student
The school results of students in Belgium are still very much determined by their socio-economic and migration background. This is the key conclusion of the new analysis of the PISA figures on the educational performance of young people in Belgium.
Main Theme: Migration, Study § Training
Keywords: education, foreign, student, migratory background
Today the Commission proposed to make it easier and more attractive for non-EU national students, researchers and other groups to enter and stay in the EU for periods exceeding three months.