Belgium wants to restrict more access to family reunification, the main gateway to foreigners on its territory. In 2023, according to figures from the Office of Foreigners reported by RTBF, more than 59,000 residence permits were issued in this context. A stable figure, but deemed too high by the government. More than half of the beneficiaries come from European countries (52 %), while 14 % are Belgian. The remaining 34 % come from third countries.
It is to this last category that the new measures brought by the government attack. From now on, foreigners from countries outside the European Union will have to justify higher income to bring their loved ones. According to the calculations mentioned by our colleagues, a person wishing to welcome their spouse and two children will have to prove that they receive a monthly net income of 2,745 euros, against 2,131 euros before.
Shorter deadlines
Another component of the project: the reduction of the deadline left to the refugees recognized to start the procedures. So far, they had a year after the granting of their status to submit their request. This period should be reduced to six months. A change which, according to several associations, may in fact exclude the most complex files, in particular those requiring long administrative documents to obtain.
For the Minister of Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, these adjustments are not only necessary but in accordance with European law. The executive defends a stricter supervision, justified by the growing cost that this immigration would represent for public finances. The text began its examination in the House of Representatives this Friday. If it is adopted, he will act a notable turning point in the migration policy of the kingdom.
Safer borders
In parallel, Belgium has announced a strengthening of controls at its borders this summer, with an assumed objective of combating irregular and said “Secondary” – that of people who have already started asylum approaches in another European country. These controls will be deployed on the main roads, highway areas, international bus lines (including the La Panne-Dunkirk link), certain trains, notably in Brussels-Midi, and the arrival of flights from high migratory pressure, such as Greece or Italy.
“We assume our responsibilities”said Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, referring to a fight against “The clandestine migratory flows” and for “Strengthen security on our territory”. His colleague Anneleen van Bossuyt castigated the “Asylum shopping” – This practice of successive requests in several European countries.
