Do you desire to study in Europe? Students from outside EU often face significant hurdles in entering these borders. That is even though, EU citizens have a fundamental right that allows for free movement of persons.
However, in 2016, the European Parliament issued a new directive regarding international students that would ease and harmonise entry to the EU and residence rules. It allowed non-EU researches and students to stay for a minimum of 9 months after graduation, as they look for work or set up a business.
It also includes a minimum of 15 hours to work, each week, as you study in an EU country. This rule should give you a sigh of relief as you work on your residency application personal statement. The directive is to take effect two years after it was passed.
What Do You Need To Know?
The changes made have enormous practical consequences for researchers and students from third world countries. The new directive aims at streamlining and simplifying the procedures that exist. These changes include:
• Easier Mobility within EU
When moving from one EU country to another, you won’t have to file a new visa application or get another letter of recommendation residency. This move will make studying at multiple universities in Europe, easier.
You will, however, need to notify the member state about it, as long as you are not planning on staying more than 360 days. This move will boost the mobility of students within member states.
• Researchers can bring their Family Members
Researchers in the EU have the right to bring their family members along. It only applies to researchers and not students. Their family members have the right to work during their stay, too.
• Prolonged Stay to Find work Post-graduation
After finishing your studies or research, you have the right to reside in an EU member state country for at least nine months, as you look for work. If you don’t have a residency lor, after graduation, you don’t have to panic.
You should, however, note that the right isn’t absolute. Therefore, individual countries can still set a minimum level of education for the eligible candidates. You can also use this time to set up a business.
• Prolonged Right to Work as you study
Formerly, non-EU students could only work 10 hours each week. The new directive has now extended the hours to a minimum of 15hrs. Also, during a students’ first year of residence, a member state could restrict their right to work.
However, this exception will no longer be applicable. So, you can now work more hours to help you meet your daily expenses as you pursue your studies.
In addition to the above, the directive also laid out minimum requirements that every member state would adhere to, except for Denmark, UK and Ireland. EU countries can legislate more favourable conditions if they so wish.
Conclusion
The new regulations aim at making EU more accessible and more attractive study destination for international students. If you are still considering to study abroad, then, the time is right to look for the ideal destination.