Italy: As of 18th May 2015, applications for Italian citizenship may be submitted electronically. As a result, the new service, provided by the Ministry of the Interior - Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration – is faster and data entry streamlined.
Luxembourg: On 4th March 2015, the law of 27 February 2015 on the organisation of a national referendum concerning various questions in relation to the drawing up of a new Constitution was published in the Mémorial (official journal of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg). One of the three questions submitted to the referendum relates to the approval of the active voting rights of non-Luxembourg nationals in parliamentary elections.
On 27th March 2015, the Luxembourg Reception and Integration Office (OLAI) together with the Directorate of Immigration, launched a call for projects on actions funded under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF 2014-2020), as well as the submission requirements for a co-funding application.
Poland: The first report on the implementation of the Action Plan to the “Migration Policy of Poland” in 2014 was approved by the inter-ministerial Committee for Migration. According to the report, there is still room for improvement regarding the integration of foreigners. Also, a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary team with the aim to prepare a model of immigrant integration was formed in Gdansk, one of the largest cities in Poland. This is the first Polish city to work on an integration policy in such a participatory and interdisciplinary way.
Portugal: The Strategic Plan for Migration 2015-2020 (Plano Estratégico Para as Migrações- PEM) was adopted in Portugal as a result of the contribution and cooperation of several ministries and public bodies (e.g. ACM/SEF/General Directorate for Consular Affairs and Portuguese Communities). The Plan is based on five political priorities such as; immigrant integration, promotion of the integration of new citizens, coordination of migration flows, strengthening legal migration and the quality of migration-related services, as well as the promotion, monitoring and assistance to the return of emigrants.
Spain: During April 2015, the Official Gazette in its Resolution of 10 March and 13 March 2015, published the call for grants, according to the categories established by AMIF, in the areas of asylum and refugees and vulnerable immigrants for medical care in Centres of Temporary Stay of Immigrants in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as calls for development of programmes aimed at facilitating the integration of immigrants and development of programmes for assisted voluntary return of immigrants.
Sweden: The Swedish Government has announced a number of new initiatives to facilitate the establishment of newly-arrived immigrants in society and on the labour market. These initiatives have been developed against the background of strongly increasing numbers of new immigrants (primarily beneficiaries of international protection and people immigrating for family reasons). The new policy initiatives include additional funding for social activities, study circles, acquisition of the Swedish language, mentorship and activities of sports associations. Their purpose is to enable newly-arrived to meet people who are already established in Sweden and who can share knowledge and experiences. The target group for free language tuition (Swedish for immigrants) will be widened so as to include beneficiaries of international protection who are still living in accommodation for asylum seekers (due to the lack of ordinary and affordable housing). The Government intends to provide additional funding to increase the refugee reception capacity in municipalities. Tripartite talks (with employers’ organisations and trade unions) have been launched regarding a 'fast track' for newly-arrived beneficiaries of international protection into the labour market. Pilot schemes to investigate and identify newly arrived asylum applicants’ vocational skills at an early stage of the asylum procedure and to provide relevant internships are being tested in some Swedish regions.
United Kingdom: A as of 6th April 2015, all nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) arriving to the UK for longer than six months, will be required to pay a ‘health surcharge’ as part of their visa application. The health surcharge will be £200 (about 280 euros) per year and £150 (about 210 euros) per year for students and will be paid online for the total period of their UK visa. Dependants will generally pay the same amount as the main applicant. The surcharge does not apply to anyone applying for a visitor visas. However, non EEA visitors will continue to be fully liable for the costs of any NHS treatment at the point they receive it.
Economic migration
Estonia: On 10th April 2015 the Estonian Ministry of Economics and Communications approved the first nationwide action plan for the attraction of foreign talents, for the years 2015-2016. The plan creates a framework and a comprehensive systematic approach for the attraction and retention of highly skilled migrants. The main aim of the plan is to make Estonia more attractive to foreign talents and to develop the Estonian economy. As a part of the plan, the portal "Work in Estonia" was created, which includes information about the recruitment of foreigners, work and life in Estonia.
Italy: The procedures for entry and residence permit applications have been simplified for third-country nationals who intend to perform highly qualified jobs (EU Blue Card). An employer who has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, may now notify the proposed 'residence contract' to the Single Desk for Immigration, without applying and waiting for an authorisation.
Poland: In response to an increased rate in the misuse of the ‘simplified system of employment of foreigners’ (based on registration of declarations of intent to entrust work to a foreigner and addressed to citizens of six countries - Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine), restrictions were introduced as of 17th April 2015.
Also, on 1st May 2015 new regulations on the access of foreign employees to the labour market were introduced. The main changes include: granting unrestricted access to the Polish labour market (right to take up employment in Poland without the need to obtain a work permit) to foreign students and doctoral students staying in Poland on the basis of a student visa, foreigners giving occasional lectures, speeches or presentations of a particular scientific or artistic value.
Spain: In April 2015 an assessment of the implementation of the International Mobility Section of the Entrepreneurial Support and Internationalisation Act of 27 September 2013 was undertaken by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, through the Secretariat General for Immigration and Emigration. The report provides a very positive assessment and highlights the contribution to the establishment of a framework for the internationalisation of the economy and the improvement of the international opinion of Spain as a destination for investment and talent. The report also contains recommendations to enhance the potential impact of the new mobility framework (e.g. regulatory adjustments, broader transposition of the new ICT Directive and, progress in promoting the regulation by means of an Awareness-Raising Plan).
Student migration
Poland: The President presented and signed the draft legislative amendments to enhance the innovation of the Polish economy. The draft contained, among others, solutions that support the further internationalisation of Polish science and higher education institutions.
A student exchange agreement with the United Arab Emirates was also signed. This is the second agreement Poland has signed with an Arabic country. Similar agreements are being negotiated with Qatar and Kuwait.
Celia Liagoura
Jurist, PhD candidate
Research Associate
Prof. Elias Krispis Foundation for International Legal Studies
Source: European Migration Network,
http://emn.ie/files/p_20150707104950emn_bulletin_11th_edition_march_may_2015_final.pdf