Scientific visa: some issues from our experience

Ulg Euraxess Centre in a few words

ULg Euraxess Centre - Created in 2005 at the initiative of the university - Motivations: priority set by ULg on internationalisation, suggestion of the EU Commission (People programme, FP6-7) - Human ressources : 2 FTP on 4 campuses, adressing various publics: - Liège, Sart Tilman, Gembloux, Arlon - researchers IN and OUT, Post-docs, PHD students from developing countries, Erasmus mundus, … - Integrated in international (FP7) and regional (FRS, Greater Region) networks

-Personalised assistance -Welcome pack -Database about funding sources for researchers mobility : « SI4PP-Financer mon projet personnel » -Statistics on researchers mobility -See: ULg is developing the HRS4R and plans to introduce its Action plan to the EU Commission in December EURAXESS Services ULg

Some figures 2006 /2:216 interventions 2007: 174 interventions 2008: 521 interventions 2009: 742 interventions 2010/1: 201 interventions 60 % IN (visa)- 40% OUT (funding) 2006 /2:216 interventions 2007: 174 interventions 2008: 521 interventions 2009: 742 interventions 2010/1: 201 interventions 60 % IN (visa)- 40% OUT (funding)

Scientific visa: a success story Ekaterina T. is PHD in medicine of Georgian nationality. At the end of her contract in Japan she gets a proposal from the university hospital. She cannot wait too long for the visa: Japan is expensive and her residence permit expires. Thanks to the hosting agreement she did not need to go back to Georgia. Workshop on Scientific Visa- 8 Nov Euraxess Centre - Université de Liège

A nice suit, but a little tight In the CF universities, 191 researchers were hosted thanks to a Scientific visa in : GxABT:0 FUCAM:0 FUNDP:16 FUSL:0 UCL:67 ULg:21 ULB: 51 UMONS :35

A nice suit, but a little tight Even if the idea is good, the scientific visa is not so widely used. Why? - Lack of information ? - Uncertainty about the terminology, the exceptions ? - Restrictive definitions for applicants? - Limited advantages ?

Aims of the EU directive Facilitate the Belgian markets access to non EU researchers by giving them a permit to enter, stay and work with the purpose of carrying out scientific research. Workshop on Scientific Visa- 8 Nov Euraxess Centre - Université de Liège

How? The visa is delivered directly by the embassy on the basis of a document (hosting agreement) provided by the research institution. This one is responsible for the non EU researcher during his/her stay on the Belgian territory (duration of the agreement + 6 months). No work permit needed. Workshop on Scientific Visa- 8 Nov Euraxess Centre - Université de Liège

A specific perspective The following issues are raised by Euraxess Services Centres of universities (not of research centres, or companies). They were discussed among Belgian universities. They try to reflect their joint point of view. They are raised in the perspective of improving the clarification and extension of the legal provisions governing the scientific visa in Belgium.

With a little help from my friends The figures will rise if… - the questions raised get an answer - the issues are adressed in a positive way - we gain experience from our neighbours

What are the issues? FAQ about the scientific visa: this workshop is a key opportunity to list them, to find answers together, in order to publish them on the Belpo website.

PHD students? Research professionals can apply for a scientific visa, but not students. Questions : Can we apply the EU recommandation to consider the PhD students as early stage researchers (see Charter and Code) What about their status when they have fellowship grants including social security or a work contract ?

Professors or assistants? Could the universities deliver a scientific visa although they come mainly to teach?

Kind of legal relationship? If they have a fellowship and not a work contract ? If this fellowship is paid by their country of origin?

Lower salaries ? If they earn less than than the minimum salary for a work contract in Belgium ? (it may be the case in Africa or far East)

Equivalence of social security rights ? If they do not get a full social security coverage in Belgium ? (non-EU citizens do not get coverage for pension or unemployement, except if their country has signed a bilateral agreement with Belgium) Or if they get a social security coverage from their home country that does not match Belgian standards?

Short term stay, extension ? If they are coming to do research for less than 3 months? Can the duration of the host agreement be extended for 1 or 2 months ? Are they allowed to stay on the Belgian territory after the research contract ended to organize their return home ?

What about the family ? If they wish to come with their spouse, companion, children ? Should the family stay behind and wait for a reunification visa?

The institutions responsibility Not easy to assess the researcher request from far away The risk seems to be limited, mainly if there are links with their home institution Could it be covered by an insurance? Could there be a special scheme to provide full social security coverage to non EU researchers?

Portability of the scientific visa If a researcher has a scientific visa to come to Germany or France, can it be recognised in Belgium ?

Thanks for your attention! Now lets find the answers… Centre de Mobilité Euraxess de lULg: Administration Recherche et Développement Place du 20 Aout 7, bât A1 Contact: Brigitte Ernst