In 2016, Belgium received 106 000 immigrants (who intended to stay at least one year), 18% fewer than in 2015. Net migration of foreigners, including asylum seekers was 44 000 persons, 30% lower than in 2015. Net migration of Belgian citizens remained negative at -13 000 in 2016 (2015: -12 000). Overall, net migration contributed to three quarters of population increase.
59 000 EU nationals (Belgians excluded) moved to Belgium in 2016, 5% fewer than the previous year. EU nationals comprised half of the immigration, compared with most of immigration in 2014. The leading nationalities of foreign immigrants in 2016 were French (11%), Romanian (10%) and Dutch (7%). Because of the growing number of refugees, Syria became the first country of origin of non-EU migrants ahead of Morocco, both accounting for 4% of total immigration, followed by Afghanistan (2.5%). The total foreign-born population in Belgium was 1.9 million on 1 January 2017, comprising 17% of the population. Morocco (214 000) and France (185 000) were the leading two origin countries.
The number of first residence permits issued to third-country nationals for work reasons rose 5%, to 5 200 in 2016, its highest level since 2009. Four countries accounted for more than half of labour migrants: India (24%), the United States, Japan and China. Family migrants numbered 26 000 third-country nationals in 2016 (similar to 2015 numbers), of which one fifth joined a refugee or a person with another protection status. Morocco, Syria, and India were the main countries of origin of third-country nationals holding a residence permit for family reasons. The number of third-country nationals who obtained a first residence permit for education (6 300) was close to the number in the previous three years. Cameroon and China each comprised 12% of international students.
After a steep drop between 2015 and 2016 (from 39 000 to just over 14 000), the number of first asylum applicants reamined stable in 2017. One third of all asylum seekers in Belgium were from three countries of origin (in descending order): Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. 27 000 decisions were taken in 2017, of which 52% were positive. According to UNHCR, including appeal decisions, almost 10 000 non-EU migrant adults obtained an international protection status in 2016, as well as about 5 500 accompanying minors. This 42% increase (compared to 2015) led to the highest number of new humanitarian migrants in Belgium’s recent history. Three quarters of humanitarian migrants were from Syria (46%), Iraq (20%) and Afghanistan (10%).
Since January 2017, all third country nationals applying for a residence permit must sign a declaration that they understand the fundamental values of Belgium and will comply with them. The right to stay may be withdrawn in the absence of evidence of reasonable integration efforts (e.g. participation in an integration programme, occupation, training or study, activity in associations). Since March 2017, fees required for residence permit applications have been raised for all categories, by up to EUR 350. An additional municipal fee of EUR 50 may be required.
In 2016, the working holiday agreement with Korea came into force. Working holiday makers from all destinations number fewer than 200 annually.
A new law in force from 1 April 2018, states that acknowledgment of paternity out of wedlock may be denied for foreigners when there is a serious assumption that the purpose of the paternity is to provide a right to stay.
A new asylum law, passed in 2017, transposed the EU Directive on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection. Since August 2016, it is legally possible to exclude asylum seekers from reception rights (except medical assistance) and from asylum benefits rights. A one-stop registration centre for asylum seekers is planned to open at the beginning of 2019. Since 2016, asylum seekers, beneficiaries of international protection and highly skilled newcomers have been specifically targeted by labour market integration programs.
Regional integration measures have also evolved. Since 2016, immigrants in Flanders who want a certificate of civic integration at the end of the integration programme must pass a test and demonstrate Dutch language ability. Since 2017, in Brussels, newcomers (under age 65) with a valid permit and less than three years residence in Belgium have been required to follow an integration programme, including language training. Two offices were set up in Brussels to organise the integration programme for newcomers who opt for the French module. In Wallonia, a decree is planned to make the integration programme mandatory. In January 2016, the German-speaking community started a pilot project aiming to implement an integration programme in 2018.
In February 2017, a new law was implemented that makes it easier to return foreign nationals who are a threat to national security.
