Legal migration by non-EU citizens - Public Consultation
Fields marked with * are mandatory.

Thank you for participating in this survey, which refers to laws that are applicable to non-EU nationals app

lying to live or already living legally in the EU.
The survey does not cover:

laws applying to EU citizens living in other EU countries
laws applying to irregular migrants from outside the EU.
the UK, Denmark or Ireland (most EU law on migration does not apply in these countries).

Your replies will be used exclusively to help the European Commission evaluate its policy on the issue in
question.
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Answer the questionnaire and send a written contribution (by uploading it here or sending by
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About you

1

Depending on the profile you select, and the answers you give, you will be invited to reply to different
questions.
Please answer some general questions about yourself:
* 3. Which language will you reply in?
Bulgarian
Croatian
Czech
Danish

x Dutch
English
Estonian
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hungarian
Italian
Latvian
Lithuanian
Maltese
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Slovak
Slovene
Spanish
Swedish
First name:

Klaas

Last name:

Dijkhoff(Staatssecretaris van ministerie Veiligheid en Justitie)

What is your contact address? (if you do not have an email address, please write 'not available').
This email address will not be published with your contribution, will only be used if we need to contact you to clarify any of your responses
and will not be shared with any third parties

Not available

2

Where do you live? (country of residence)?
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta

x Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Afghanistan
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Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain

3

Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
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Brunei
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Burundi
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Canada
Cape Verde
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Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
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Cook Islands
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Cuba
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea

4

Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroes
Fiji
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Gabon
Georgia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
the Holy See/Vatican City State
Honduras
Hong Kong
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Isle of Man
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia

5

Libya
Liechtenstein
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
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Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar/Burma
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
Somalia

6

South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
The Gambia
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
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United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
US Virgin Islands
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

7

Your nationality?
Austrian
Belgian
British
Bulgarian
Croatian
Cypriot
Czech
Danish
Estonian
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hungarian
Irish
Italian
Latvian
Lithuanian
Luxembourger
Maltese
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Slovakian
Slovenian
Spanish
Swedish

x Dutch
Afghan
Albanian
Algerian
American
Andorran
Angolan
Antiguans
Argentinean
Armenian
Australian
Azerbaijani
Bahamian
Bahraini
Bangladeshi
Barbadian
Barbudans
Batswana

8

Belarusian
Belizean
Beninese
Bhutanese
Bolivian
Bosnian
Brazilian
Bruneian
Burkinabe
Burmese
Burundian
Cambodian
Cameroonian
Canadian
Cape Verdean
Central African
Chadian
Chilean
Chinese
Colombian
Comoran
Congolese
Costa Rican
Cuban
Djibouti
Dominican
Dutchman
Dutchwoman
East Timorese
Ecuadorean
Egyptian
Emirian
Equatorial Guinean
Eritrean
Ethiopian
Fijian
Filipino
Gabonese
Gambian
Georgian
Ghanaian
Grenadian
Guatemalan
Guinea-Bissauan
Guinean
Guyanese

9

Haitian
Herzegovinian
Honduran
I-Kiribati
Icelander
Indian
Indonesian
Iranian
Iraqi
Israeli
Ivorian
Jamaican
Japanese
Jordanian
Kazakhstani
Kenyan
Kittian and Nevisian
Kuwaiti
Kyrgyz
Laotian
Lebanese
Liberian
Libyan
Liechtensteiner
Macedonian
Malagasy
Malawian
Malaysian
Maldivan
Malian
Marshallese
Mauritanian
Mauritian
Mexican
Micronesian
Moldovan
Monacan
Mongolian
Moroccan
Mosotho
Motswana
Mozambican
Namibian
Nauruan
Nepalese
Netherlander

10

New Zealander
Ni-Vanuatu
Nicaraguan
Nigerian
Nigerien
North Korean
Northern Irish
Norwegian
Omani
Pakistani
Palauan
Panamanian
Papua New Guinean
Paraguayan
Peruvian
Qatari
Russian
Rwandan
Saint Lucian
Salvadoran
Samoan
San Marinese
Sao Tomean
Saudi
Scottish
Senegalese
Serbian
Seychellois
Sierra Leonean
Singaporean
Solomon Islander
Somali
South African
South Korean
Sri Lankan
Sudanese
Surinamer
Swazi
Swiss
Syrian
Taiwanese
Tajik
Tanzanian
Thai
Togolese
Tongan

11

Trinidadian or Tobagonian
Tunisian
Turkish
Tuvaluan
Ugandan
Ukrainian
Uruguayan
Uzbekistani
Venezuelan
Vietnamese
Welsh
Yemenite
Zambian
Zimbabwean

* 4. In which capacity are you replying?
(the survey may take up to 1 minute to charge the questions according to your choice)
As an individual in your private capacity

x In your professional capacity or on behalf of an organisation/ institution
* 5. Which of these best describes you?
I am an employer
I am a non-EU citizen looking to migrate/temporarily move to the EU
I am a non-EU citizen living in the EU (or I lived there in the past)
I am a non-EU service provider based outside the EU and willing to provide temporary services in
the EU
I am an academic working in legal migration and related field
I am an immigration lawyer or adviser
None of the above, but I have a personal interest in legal migration into the EU
* 6. What is the name of your organisation?

Ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie

12

* 7. What type of organisation are you representing:

x National, regional or local authorities in an EU country
Consulates/embassies/diplomatic missions of EU countries in countries outside the bloc
Public employment services in an EU country
Agencies in EU countries that promote student and researcher exchanges from other countries to
the EU
Private recruitment agencies
Employer organisations in the EU (business, sectorial organisations/associations)
Employers/companies in the EU
Non-EU service provider based outside the EU and willing to provide temporary services in the EU
Immigration lawyers or advisers
Trade union in the EU
National, regional or local authorities of non-EU countries
Academia or research organisations
International organisations
Student associations and youth organisations
NGOs and civil society organisations
None of the above, but the organisation I represent has a professional interest in legal migration
into the EU
Please specify:
Als Staatssecretaris van het ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie, verantwoordelijk voor migratiebeleid.

8. Is your organisation included in the EU's Transparency Register, for groups and organisations
representing specific interests? If not, we invite you to register, though it is not a prerequisite for replying to
the consultation.
Yes
No

x Not applicable
Please indicate your Register ID Number:

13

9. How familiar are you with EU laws on legal migration (i.e. the following Directives)?

Directive 2011/98/EU – Single application procedure

I have a

I have

detailed

some

knowledge

knowledge

of the

of the

Directive

Directive

I have no
knowledge
of the
Directive

x

/single permit and third-country workers' equal treatment
Directive 2003/86/EC – Family reunification

x

Directive 2003/109/EC – Long-term residents

x

irective 2004/114/EC – Students

x

Directive 2005/71/EU – Researchers

x

Directive 2009/50/EC – EU Blue Card – highly skilled

x

workers
Directive 2014/36/EU - Seasonal workers

x

Directive 2014/66/EU - Intra-corporate transfers

x

Directive (EU) 2016/801 - entry and residence
conditions for third-country nationals, for the purposes of
research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil
exchange schemes or educational projects and au

x

pairing

(recast of Directives 2004/114/EC on students and 2005
/71/EC on researchers)

General views on existing migration rules for non-EU citizens

14

EU law on legal migration aims to increase convergence among national approaches to managing legal
migration from outside the bloc.
The laws are applied by all EU countries except the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and are underpinned by a
set of principles and legal requirements:

Procedures for admission and right to stay should be similar in all EU countries, and not unduly
bureaucratic, and the outcomes of applications should be predictable (i.e. ‘fair’) – in part because of
the possibility of subsequent movements by the non-EU citizens within the bloc;
The rights of non-EU citizens admitted to the EU should be similar to those of EU citizens, to
limit the risk of exploitation and facilitate integration in the host societies;
The rights of and safeguards related to non-EU citizens admitted to study in the EU or undertake s
easonal work should limit the possibility of exploitation;
Every EU country may maintain discretion over:
– the volumes of migrants admitted for work purposes
–access by migrants to certain benefits and public services.

10. To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

Targeted immigration of workers from countries
outside the EU is one of the solutions to fill existing

x

job openings that are currently not filled by EU
workers
The EU should do more to attract highly skilled

x

workers from countries outside the EU
The EU is attractive to researchers and higher

x

education students
The EU is attractive to non-EU citizens looking to

x

start a new business
Rules on immigration should rather be fixed at EU

x

than at national level

15

All EU countries should have the same conditions
x

for admitting non-EU citizens to work, live and study
in the EU
All EU countries should have the same type of
application procedures, so that entry and residence

x

procedures are equal in the whole EU (e.g.
deadlines, procedures for renewals, safeguards in
case of rejections, documents to be provided; etc.)

x

Application procedures should be simplified
To facilitate legal migration, all EU countries
should be represented in all non-EU countries, if

x

needed by another EU country's embassy or
consulate
It is currently easy and fast to get a visa or
x

residence permit to work in the EU (for non-EU
citizens)
There should be more EU-level action to facilitate

x

the assessment and recognition of foreign
academic qualifications from outside the bloc
It is currently easy to ensure that foreign

x

professional qualifications (skills, experience, etc.)
are assessed/recognised
It is important that non-EU nationals who have the
right to work in the EU are guaranteed the same
treatment as EU nationals, as regards working

x

conditions, pay, health and safety, social security
(including family and health benefits)
Current EU legislation on equal treatment is
x

adequate to prevent discrimination against non-EU
nationals and avoid labour exploitation
Non-EU citizens living in the EU have more
difficulty finding a job here and face discrimination

x

in their working conditions, compared to EU
nationals
Protecting the rights of non-EU citizens living in
the EU is a way of avoiding wage degradation in the

x

EU
Non-EU citizens living in the EU currently face
discrimination when accessing education and

x

vocational training, compared to EU nationals

16

Non-EU citizens living in the EU currently face
x

discrimination in accessing goods and services,
compared to EU nationals
Providing additional channels for legal migration
(to work, study, etc.) can help reducing irregular

x

migration

17

11. EU legislation currently requires EU countries to have common rules for the entry and residence of
several categories of non-EU citizens:

highly skilled workers
students and researchers
seasonal workers
employees being transferred within their company
family members.

To what extent do you agree with these statements?
The following categories of non-EU citizens should also be covered by common EU rules:
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

Domestic workers (care of the elderly, children,

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

x

cleaning etc.)
x

Self-employed workers
People planning to launch a business/start-up
Touring artists

x
x

Mobile workers in the transport sector (aviation
and road transport) who are authorised to work in

x

the EU but do not have legal residence in an EU
country
Irregular migrants who cannot be returned

x

Others (please specify below)

x

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum
Bij vrijwel al deze categorieën heeft EU-regelgeving geen toegevoegde waarde.

18

12. To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I agree
to a very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

Non-EU workers should be able to travel
x

and work in different EU countries once
admitted in one country

13. To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

Non-EU students and researchers should be
able to travel, work and study in the different EU

x

Member States once admitted in one Member
State

19

14. Currently, non-EU citizens have the right to bring their immediate family (spouse and children who are
minors) to the EU, under certain conditions. To what extent do you agree with these statements?
The following members of the family of non-EU citizens should also be entitled to family reunification under
EU common rules:
I agree to

I agree

a very large

to a large

extent

extent

I agree

I do

I

to a

not

don’

small

agree

t

extent

at all

know

Dependent parents (economically

x

or otherwise)
Dependent children who are no
x

longer minors (e.g. if they have a
disability)
Economically dependent children

x

who are no longer minors (e.g.
unemployed)

x

Children who are no longer minors
Registered or other long-term

x

partners (not married)

x

Other (please specify below)

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I agree
to a very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

The spouse of a non-EU citizen should
always have the right to work in their EU

x

country of residence

20

Some EU countries have integration requirements (such as language tests) as a precondition for
admitting non-EU family members of non-EU citizens.
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

These preconditions, if applied, should be the
same in all EU Member StatesThese preconditions,

x

if applied, should be the same in all EU countries
(in terms of e.g. the level of proficiency required)
These preconditions should be applied in all EU
x

Member States, considering the need to take due
account of the individual's situation

To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

In the case of EU citizens that remain in their
country of origin and who have family members
who are non-EU citizens, the family reunification

x

rules should be established at EU level.

[Currently, in these cases, the family reunification
rules are set by national governments.]

Non-EU citizens looking to migrate to the EU
You mentioned that you are a non-EU citizen looking to migrate/ temporarily move to the EU.

21

15. For which purpose?
Work
Seasonal work (tourism, agriculture, etc.)
To provide services (for a short period of time, after which you would leave the EU)
Study
Research
Corporate transfer (between two branches of the same company)
Starting a business
Joining a family member already living in the EU
Other
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

16. Which EU country(ies) are you thinking of moving to?
Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom
17. To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

Information on the legal ways to come to EU
countries is easily available
The current conditions for how to enter, live and
work in EU countries are an obstacle for me
when considering migrating to the EU
In my experience, there are big differences in
the current rules between different EU countries
on how to enter, live and work in these countries

22

18. If you think the current conditions for entry/residence/work in EU countries are a disincentive to
migrate, why?
I do not meet the criteria for any of the legal channels for entry, work or residence
I meet the criteria, but there are other obstacles that make it difficult to apply
19. Which of the following are problems to entry, residence and/or working in EU countries:
Not
Problems

problems

Cost of application
Complex/lengthy procedures
Complex application forms
Too many documents to provide
Too many different authorities involved in the application procedure
Documents are too costly to obtain
Language tests/requirements
Finding employment or an employer when still living outside the EU
Availability of a consulate or office representing the destination country in
my home country
Procedures for recognising qualifications
Visa requirements
Other (please specify)

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

20. Have you already had an application to come to the EU rejected?
Yes
No

23

21. If yes – why?
Not fulfilling conditions for admission related to a specific category (student/researcher/worker
/family member etc.)
Documents presented did not provide the required evidence
Migration quota in the country of destination was full
Not passing a labour market test
Not meeting language or other integration requirements
Reasons related to public security or other public policy
Reasons related to public health
Other
Were you notified in writing?
Yes
No
How clearly were the reasons for the rejection explained?
Very clearly indeed
Very clearly
Clearly
Not clearly
Not at all clearly
Don’t know
22. Did you have the opportunity to appeal the rejection?
Yes
No
23. Any additional views/comments?
300 character(s) maximum

Thank you for your participation.

Non-EU citizens living or having lived in the EU

24

24. Please select the option that best represents your status (at the time of residence in the EU):
Highly-skilled worker
Student
Researcher
Seasonal worker
Employee transferred between 2 branches of the same company
Self-employed worker
Other type of worker
Family member (you joined a member of your family already living in the EU)
Other
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

25. In which EU country(ies) do you live / have you lived (select all that apply):
Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark*

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland*

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom*

* Denmark, Ireland and the UK do not implement the EU legal migration Directives, except Ireland, which
implements the Researchers Directive.

Getting information about legal migration

25

26. To what extent do you agree with these statements?
I
agree
to a

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

very
large
extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

It was easy to find websites/other sources with
useful information about legal migration to the EU
It was easy to find websites/other sources with
information on the rights and obligations related
to legal migration
The current conditions for how to enter, live and
work in EU countries were an obstacle for me
when considering migrating to the EU
In my experience, there are big differences in
the current rules between different EU countries
on how to enter, live and work in these countries

27. Was there any information in the early phases of application process that you would have needed, but
could not find?
Yes
No
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

Cost & time incurred in applying
28. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
I agree to
a very
large extent

I agree

I agree

I do

I

to a

to a

not

don’

large

small

agree

t

extent

extent

at all

know

The costs of current immigration and
residence procedures in the EU are
reasonable.

26

29. How much did it cost you to prepare and submit your application (including application fees, costs to
obtain/translate documents, certification, etc.)?
Please give the currency of these costs.
100 character(s) maximum

30. If applicable, how much did it cost you to obtain recognition of your qualifications?
Please provide currency of the approximate incurred costs
100 character(s) maximum

31. Can you estimate how much time you needed to prepare your application, including getting all
supporting documents?
Less than a week
From 1 to 4 weeks
From 1 to 3 months
More than 3 months
32. Was it easy to arrange an appointment at the relevant EU consulate/authority?
Yes
No
33. From the moment you submitted your application, how long did you have to wait for an answer (either
positive or negative)?
Less than a week
1 to 4 weeks
1 to 3 months
4 months
5 to 6 months
More than 6 months
For family reunification only - more than 9 months

Admission conditions and other related conditions

27

34. Which documents did you need to provide in the application process (select all that apply)?
Proof of family tie to a sponsor in the EU (family reunification)
Valid travel document
Valid return ticket
Bank guarantee
Proof of sufficient resources
Proof of educational qualifications
Proof of accommodation
Job offer / Work contract
Documents from the school/higher education institution you were to attend
Health insurance
Medical certificate
Other
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

35. Did you have to take part in a pre-departure integration activity, as a prerequisite for a successful
application?
Yes
No
36. If so, was it easy to find information on the pre-integration activities and conditions?
Yes

No

Was it easy to find information on the integration test (if applicable)?
Yes

No

Was it easy to attend any required courses?
Yes

No

Did you have to pay for any courses yourself?
Yes

No

37. What were these measures/conditions (select all that apply)?
Language courses
Civic education courses
Participation in integration programme
Integration test
Other

28

38. While living in the EU, did you have to comply with any integration conditions / measures which could
affect your residence status, or the renewal/extension of your permit?
Yes
No
39. Was it easy to find information on the pre-integration measures / conditions?
Yes

No

Was it easy to find information on the integration test, if applicable?
Yes

No

Was it easy to attend the required courses, if applicable?
Yes

No

Did you have to pay for the courses yourself, if applicable?
Yes

No

40. What were these measures/conditions (select all that apply)?
Language courses
Civic education courses
Participation in integration programme
Integration test
Other

Application procedure
41. Were you able to you apply online?
Yes
No
42. Were you able to apply from your country of residence, outside the EU?
Yes
No
43. If you applied from outside the EU, was your permit issued when you were still outside the EU?
Yes
No
44. Was it easy to receive the visa to travel to the EU country, to apply there?
Yes
No

29

45. To apply, how many authorities did you have to contact?
1
2
3
4
More than 4
46. Who submitted your application for a residence permit?
Me
My employer
Both myself and my employer
My family member
Other
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

47. Have you encountered any problems in the procedures when applying for a residence permit?
Yes
No
48. Please specify the what these problems were:
Long procedure
High costs of permit (fee) Many documents required
Getting my qualifications recognised
Having employment or an employer
Needing the employer to be involved in the application
No diplomatic office of my EU destination country in my home country
Other
49. Was your application initially rejected?
Yes
No
50. Why?
Not meeting admission conditions related to a specific category (student/researcher/worker/family
member etc.)
Inadequate documents presented
Migration quota in the country of destination was full
Not passing a labour market test
Not meeting language or other integration requirements
Reasons related to public security, public policy, public health
Other

30

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

51. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
I agree to a

I agree to

I agree to

I do not

very large

a large

a small

agree at

extent

extent

extent

all

I
don’
t
know

The reasons for the
rejection were clearly
explained

52. Were you able to appeal the rejection decision?
Yes
No
53. When renewing or replacing your residence permit, did you encounter any of the following problems?
Not a
Problem

problem

Long procedure
Insecurity due to delay in receiving new permit, after the first one had
expired
High costs of permit
Many documents required
Getting my qualifications recognised
New labour market tests
Loss of job
Health reasons
Other (please specify)

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

Change of status

31

54. While living in the EU country, were you aware of the possibility of changing your status (e.g. from
student to worker, from temporary to permanent residence)?
Yes
No
55. Did you ever request a change of status?
Yes
No
56. Please indicate from which to which status.
From:
worker
student
researcher
EU blue card
temporary residence
permanent residence (national scheme)
EU long-term resident
asylum status
other
To:
worker
student
researcher
blue card
temporary residence
permanent residence (national scheme)
EU long-term resident
asylum status
other
57. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
I agree to a
very large
extent

I agree to a

I agree to a

large extent

small extent

I do not

I

agree at

don’t

all

know

Obtaining a change
of status was easy

58. Have you encountered any problems in the procedures when applying for a change of status?
Yes
No

32

59. Which ones?
Not a
Problem

problem

Long procedure
Insecurity due to delay in receiving new permit, after the first one had
expired
High costs of permit
Many documents required
Getting my qualifications recognised
New labour market tests
Loss of job
Health reasons
Not possible to apply from within the country
Other (please specify)

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

60. While living in the EU country, were you aware you could obtain EU long-term residence status?
(After 5 years of legal and continuous residence in the EU, a citizen can qualify for EU long-term residence
status (if all conditions apply). This status is different from national permanent residence status)
Yes
No
61. Did you apply for EU long-term residence status?
Yes
No
62. Did you obtain this status?
Yes
No

33

63. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
I agree to a

I agree

I agree

very large

to a large

to a small

extent

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

Obtaining EU long-term
residence status in the EU
country was easy

64. Why was your application rejected?
Difficulty proving 5 years of continuous and legal residence
Lack of stable and regular resources
Reasons related to the documents presented
Language requirements
Other
Please specify
100 character(s) maximum

65. While living in the EU country, did you obtain citizenship of that country?
Yes
No
66. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
I agree to a

I agree to

I agree to

I do not

very large

a large

a small

agree at

extent

extent

extent

all

I
don’
t
know

Obtaining citizenship of
the EU country was easy

Equal treatment

34

67. To what extent have you been treated differently to nationals of the EU country, in the following
respects?
On

Never

On

more

one

than

occasion

one

Often

occasion
Working conditions (pay and dismissal, health and
safety at the workplace, etc.)
Freedom to join organisations representing workers or
employers, including benefits conferred by these
organisations
Access to social security benefits (e.g. family benefit,
healthcare, old-age pension, invalidity, etc.)
Access to education and vocational training
Recognition of qualifications
Tax benefits, if resident for tax purposes in the EU
country
Advice services provided by employment offices
Access to goods and services
Other

Ability to move from one EU country to another, for temporary or permanent
residence
68. If you have lived, or tried to live, in more than one EU country, did you encounter any problems in
getting a residence permit in the second country?
Yes
No

35

69. Did you encounter any of the following problems getting a residence permit in the second country?
Not a
Problem

problem

Long procedure
Insecurity due to delay in receiving new permit, after the first one had
expired
High costs of permit
Many documents required
Getting the qualifications recognised
Finding employment or an employer in the second country
Other

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

70. What are the main differences between the different European countries in the rules on how to enter,
live and work in these countries? (choose one or more)
Availability of information
Single application for work and residence, submitted to one authority only
Labour market tests
Application procedure
Costs of permits
Documents required
Recognition of qualifications
Integration tests/requirements
Practical application of existing rules (speediness and efficiency of migration authorities)
Other (e.g. other costs, including pre-authorisation for employment)
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

Transfer of social security benefits
71. If you have left one EU country to go to a second, did you (try to) transfer the social security benefits
(e.g. pension rights) you had built up in the first?
Yes
No

36

72. Did you encounter any difficulties doing this?
Yes
No
73. If you permanently left one EU country to go to a non-EU country, did you (try to) transfer the social
security benefits (e.g. pension rights) you had built up in the EU country to your new country of residence?
Yes
No
74. Did you encounter any difficulties doing this?
Yes
No
Any other views/comments?
300 character(s) maximum

Thank you for participating.

Employers, non-EU service providers and private recruitment agencies
75. How big is your company?
Over 250 employees (large company)
50–250 employees (medium-sized company)
10–49 employees (small company)
Under 10 employees (micro-company)
Self-employed
Non applicable

76. In which country are your headquarters located?
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland

37

France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Afghanistan
Åland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana

38

Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Clipperton
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Cuba
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroes
Fiji
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Gabon
Georgia

39

Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
the Holy See/Vatican City State
Honduras
Hong Kong
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Isle of Man
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Martinique

40

Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar/Burma
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthélemy Tristan
Saint Helena, Ascension and da Cunha
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon

41

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
The Gambia
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
US Virgin Islands

42

Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

77. If your company operates in the EU, have you ever employed a non-EU worker?
Yes
No
78. If not, why not? (select the most appropriate answer)
The local labour market provides enough recruits
I don't know how to reach non-EU citizens living outside the EU
It is difficult to assess foreign qualifications
Other
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

79. Did you use a third party to help with the immigration procedures? (e.g. a lawyer or specialised firm)
Yes
No
80. If yes, which type?
A public employment service in the worker's country of origin
A public employment service in your EU country
The EU network EURES
A private recruitment agency
Immigration lawyers or advisers
Professional networks or education/training institutions
Informal networks (families, friends)
Other
Non-applicable

43

81. Which of the following were problems you encountered when hiring non-EU workers (select all that

apply)?
Not a
Problem

problem

Strict labour market tests by authorities in your
country
Long application procedure
High costs of permit
Other costs (e.g. pre-authorisation for employment)
Many documents required
Getting the worker's qualifications recognised
Other (please specify)

Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

82. Were the non-EU workers that you employed (select all that apply):
Already in your country?
Recruited from another EU country?
Recruited from a non-EU country
83. Were the non-EU workers that you employed:
Highly skilled (with a higher education degree)?
Medium skills?
Low-skilled?
84. Do you think adequate information on immigration rules and procedures is easily available to:

Yes

No

Potential non-EU workers you are looking to
recruit?
Employers?

85. If you are a company operating outside the EU, how important is it for your business to provide
services in the EU?
Very important

Important

Not important

I do not do business in the EU

44

86. Have you tried to transfer any staff members from outside the EU to an EU country?
Yes
No
87. Did you use a third party to help with the immigration procedures? (e.g. a lawyer or specialised firm)
Yes
No
88. If you used a third party, how best would you describe it? (select the most relevant option)
A public employment service in the worker's country of origin
A public employment service in your country
A private recruitment agency
Immigration lawyers or advisers Other
Non-applicable
89. Which (if any) of the following were problems you encountered when seeking to transfer staff into the
EU?
Not a
Problem

problem

Strict labour market tests by authorities in the EU
country
Long application procedure
High costs of permit
Many documents required
Getting the person's qualifications recognised
Other

Please pecify:
100 character(s) maximum

90. If your staff has engaged in business activities in multiple EU countries, were there any differences or
problems? (select all that apply)
Need to leave the EU to re-apply for a visa or permit
EU countries have different requirements or rules for non-EU service providers
Other
Please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

45

91. Do you think adequate information on current immigration rules is easily available to you:
Yes
No
92. Any additional views/comments?
300 character(s) maximum

Thank you for participating.

National authorities in EU countries (including migration, employment,
public employment agencies, consulates/embassies and agencies
promoting student/researcher exchanges with non-EU countries)
93. To what extent do you agree with these statements?

EU legislation has helped improve national

I agree

I

I

to a

agree

agree

very

to a

to a

large

large

small

extent

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

x

rules on migration of non-EU citizens
EU legislation has helped address specific
x

groups of non-EU citizens who were not
previously covered by national migration rules
Lessons learnt from implementing EU

x

legislation have been applied elsewhere in
national migration rules
It is positive that all EU countries have
comparable admission conditions and

x

procedures for non-EU citizens
Common rules at EU level help non-EU
citizens move around the EU (to study,

x

research or work)
EU legislation offers a channel for sharing

x

information with other EU countries

46

94. How have lessons learnt from implementing EU legislation/directives been applied elsewhere in your
national migration rules (select all that apply)?
To revise/simplify entry procedures
To also create a single permit for categories of non-EU citizens not covered by the EU directives
To change decision deadlines
To reduce or simplify admission conditions
To add admission conditions
To enlarge the categories of non-EU citizens covered
To extend the right of equal treatment to other categories of non-EU citizens
Other
95. Do you think adequate information on immigration rules is easily available to:

Yes
Non-EU citizens looking to come to your country?

x

Employers in your country looking to hire non-EU

x

No

citizens?
Employment agencies in your country?

x

Local/regional/national authorities?

x

47

96. Which of the directives have proved challenging to apply in practice?
Not
challenging
at all

Partly

Very

Too

challenging

challenging

early
to tell

Directive 2011/98/EU – single application
procedure/single permit and third-country

x

workers' equal treatment
Directive 2003/86/EC – Family reunification

x

Directive 2003/109/EC – Long-term residents

x

Directive 2004/114/EC - Students

x

Directive 2005/71/EC - Researchers

x

Directive 2009/50/EC – EU blue card – highly

x

skilled workers
Directive 2014/36/EU - Seasonal workers
Directive 2014/66/EU - Intra-corporate

x

x

transfers
Directive (EU) 2016/801 – recast Students

x

and Researchers directives

48

97. The EU directives on legal migration also seek to provide the EU and EU countries with a consistent
rules. To what extent do you agree with the following statements?
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent
There are currently contradictions/conflicts

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

x

between the directives
There are currently contradictions/conflicts
x

between the directives and national migration
rules for non-EU citizens
The management of migration flows has been

x

positively influenced by related EU policies and
legislation:
My country has developed good practices for

x

managing the admission of non-EU citizens
My country has a functioning system for
matching labour market needs with workers

x

who can potentially be recruited from outside
the EU

98. Which of the following EU policies and legislation have positively influenced the management of
migration flows (of non-EU citizens) – by providing for fair, transparent and efficient procedures and
criteria?
x Recognition of foreign qualifications
x Common European Asylum System

Social security coordination
Equal treatment
Trade agreements
Borders and visas
x Education and research (including funding programmes such as Erasmus+, (former) Erasmus

Mundus and Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions)
Other
please specify:
100 character(s) maximum

49

99. The good practices developed on legal migration by your Member State relate to (select all that apply):
x Availability of information
x Single point for application
x Application procedure

Costs of permits
Other costs (eg pre-authorisation for employment)
Documents required
Recognition of the worker's qualifications
x Integration measures

Other
100. If you have encountered contradictions/conflicts within the existing legal framework, please
specify which:
300 character(s) maximum
Voorbeelden van contradicties/conflicten in EU-richtlijnen zijn te vinden in de bepalingen over gelijke
behandeling, inkomenseisen, beslistermijnen, mobiliteitsbepalingen, leges.

101. What would be your recommendation for improving the functioning of EU rules on legal
migration?
300 character(s) maximum
Vereenvoudiging van en meer consistentie tussen de huidige richtlijnen legale migratie.
Meer ruimte voor nationale toelatingsprocedures naast EU-richtlijnen.
Geen uitbreiding van EU-regelgeving op het gebied van legale migratie.

102. Any other views/comments?
300 character(s) maximum
Richtlijnen kunnen migratie-mogelijkheden beperken wanneer zij in plaats van nationale regelgeving komen.
EU-regelgeving is zeer moeilijk en niet op korte termijn te wijzigen, en kan niet goed op wijzigende
omstandigheden. Uitspraken van het EU-Hof kunnen ongewenste uitkomst hebben (o.a. bij gezinsmigratie).

Thank you for participating.

Other respondents (NGOs, international organisations, trade unions,
academics, immigration lawyers and advisers, interested citizens, others)

50

103. To what extent do you agree with the following statements:
I
agree
to a
very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do

I

not

don’

agree

t

at all

know

Information from the authorities about the legal
ways to come to Europe is easily accessible
The rules on how to enter, live and work in EU
countries are an obstacle for migrants
considering legally coming to the EU
There is currently a functioning system for
matching EU labour market needs with workers
recruited from outside the EU
There are big differences between EU countries
in the rules on how to enter, work and live in
these countries
In the absence of EU migration rules, migration
could be better managed nationally, since every
country know best about its own migration needs
It is easy for a non-EU citizen to move to
another EU country

104. What are the main differences in the rules between the different European countries on how to enter,
live and work in these countries? (choose one or more):
Availability of information
Single application for work and residence, submitted to one authority only
Labour market tests
Application procedure
Cost of permits
Other costs (e.g. pre-authorisation for employment)
Documents required
Recognition of the worker's qualifications
Integration tests/requirements
Practical application of existing rules (speediness and efficiency of migration authorities)
Other

51

105. Please indicate the main problems to entering/working/living in EU countries:
Not a
Problem

problem

Cost of application
Complex/lengthy procedures
Cost of the documentation to be obtained for the
application
Stringency of the requirements
Language requirements
The need to have a pre-existing job offer
Other

106. To what extent do you agree with the following statements:

Non-EU workers legally staying in the EU are treated the same as EU nationals regarding…
I agree
to a very
large
extent

I

I

agree

agree

to a

to a

large

small

extent

extent

I do
not

Don’

agree

t

at all

know

…working conditions (pay and dismissal,
health and safety in the workplace, etc.)
…freedom to join organisations representing
workers or employers, including benefits
conferred by these organisations
…contribution and access to social security
benefits
...access to education and vocational training
…recognition of qualifications
…tax benefits (if resident for tax purposes in
the EU country)
…access to publicly-available goods and
services
…advice services provided by employment
offices
Other

52

107. Any other views/comments?
300 character(s) maximum

Thank you for participating.

53