Facilitating access to the EU to boost growth and jobs

“Facilitating the situation for researchers, students and trainees to bring their skills to Europe will be a real added value for Europe's growth and jobs. To sustain our knowledge-based economy, we need to attract more competence and talents from third countries in the future", said Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP, following the adoption of a new Directive in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) which will simplify the conditions of entry and admission for students, researchers, volunteers, trainees, school pupils and au pairs coming from third countries to the EU.

The proposed new rules set up common time limits for national authorities to decide on applications, foresee the possibility of work for students and researchers, and facilitate mobility within the EU for researchers, students, trainees and volunteers. The procedures can currently be very long, complicated, and vary considerably from one Member State to another.

"We have simplified the rules to avoid excessive bureaucracy that is frustrating both for those who come to the EU and for public administrations. Common and clearer rules will give more safeguards and help to prevent abuse", Anna Maria Corazza Bildt continued.

Access to the labour market for students and researchers is foreseen for a limited time both during and after their studies but will be regulated by different national labour laws of Member States.

"Europe needs to develop innovation and increase research in order to win the challenge to be a more competitive global actor", concluded Anna Maria Corazza Bildt.