SCIENTIFIC PERMIT FOR THIRD-COUNTRY RESEARCHERS Philippe DE BRUYCKER, ULB / Odysseus

GLOBAL OUTCOME Scientific permit (directive 2005/71) helps generally third-country researchers to be admitted in the EU (satisfaction in general despite few information on visas researchers) Two issues discussed at lenght: – Difference beween researchers and Phd students excluded from directive 2005/71: so what? – Level of financial ressources for third country researchers

GLOBAL OUTCOME Parallel ways do still exist at national level: they remain useful and sometimes more used than scientific permit (Germany) There are also other ways at EU level (Blue Card directive 2009/50 for highly skilled workers) offering different advantages (easier family reunification) Not necessarily a problem but need for transparency (comparisons needed)

STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE Let us not envisage to amend the directive (too easy, too heavy) for long term permits As much as there is a need for new legislation (in particular regarding family reunification) use other occasions to change restrictive immigration policies problematic for researchers (green paper on family reunification in 2011 or future immigration code?)

HOW? PREFERENCE 4 IMPROVING IMPLEMENTATION OF EXISTING INSTRUMENTS BY : Exchange of best practices and training European practical guide on interpretation & implementation of directive 2005/71 European models of hosting convention, etc European FAQ on Commission website Better communication between but inside MS

WHAT? Allow application of reseachers on territory Ensure fastrack procedures (deadline for short term -15 days- but not long term visas) Advise researchers to ask criminal record in advance Apply proportionality to prices for permits Adapt length of permits to host convention Clarify extension of host conventions

MOMENTUM Report to be done on transposition of directive 2005/71 by Commission in 2011 on basis of comparative study Let use this as an occasion to improve the admission of third country researchers in the EU