2018 – Statements and Answers of the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region to the QUESTIONS of the BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration

27 BSPCYEARSBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStatements and Answersof the Governments in theBaltic Sea Region to theQUESTIONS of theBSPC Working Group onMigration and Integration1. Åland 8. Lithuania2. Danmark 9. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern3. Estonia 10. Norway4. Finland 11. Poland5. Germany 12. Russia6. Hamburg 13. Schleswig-Holstein7. Latvia 14. SwedenÅland Page 2– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03OverviewYou see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use thebutton 'Print' at the end of this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName Ålands lagting (Parliament of Åland)Responsable Sten ErikssonE-Mail sten.eriksson@lagtinget.ax2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regiontotal 29214female 14647with migration backround 10467living in urban areas 11565living in rural areas 176492a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding thepopulation structure in your region / countryfemale 19with migration 3backroundliving in urban areas 7living in rural areas 13https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 1 von 7Åland Page 3– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03total 2018-25female 8with migration 2backroundliving in urban areas 4living in rural areas 4total 826-40female 18with migration 8backroundliving in urban areas 8living in rural areas 11total 1841-50female 14with migration 6backroundliving in urban areas 5living in rural areas 9total 1451-65female 21with migration 9backroundliving in urban areas 8living in rural areas 13https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 2 von 7Åland Page 4– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03total 2166+female 21with migration 7backroundliving in urban areas 8living in rural areas 12total 202. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionOtherNo answer2b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20years concerning demographic development?By 2036 population prognosis 33.799, an increase by 16 %3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does animmigration law exist?☒ See answer of national parliament.4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?See answer of national parliament5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒ See answer of national parliament.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 3 von 7Åland Page 5– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03See answer of national parliament7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers,refugees) exist?The Åland integration law stipulates that every migrant who is in contact with social services or thelocal employment office has the right to a so-called personal integration plan. The plan should bebased on each person’s individual background, experience, needs and wishes. The municipal officeror employee at the employment office can then see what measures/support society can offer, aswell as pointing to activities organised by civil society that can help further the integration processof each individual. Integration plans can also be made up for minors and whole families.There is a small information office for immigrants funded by the Åland government, and somegeneral information about life on the Åland Islands set up on a website (info in 7 languages), whichis maintained (and funded) by the government. (www.aland.ax/flytta)8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses orcourses e.g. for civic education or vocational training?☒ Yes, language courses are provided.☒ Yes, courses for civic education are provided.☒ Yes, vocational training is provided.☒ Yes, the following courses are provided. Integration courses are provided in the Åland Islands witha focus on language, employment traineeships and information about society and culture. Thecourses are offered to adults who are registered as unemployed at the Åland employment office.There are a set number of courses each year, currently on three levels: A1, A2, and B1. Thecourses are full-time and free of charge for the participants, who receive the equivalent ofunemployment benefits while attending the course. There are no obligatory courses. Somegroups, such as parents who stay at home with young children fall outside the system. There areno integration courses designed for them in the current system. There are also courses that aresubsidised by the Åland government that run in cooperation with employers, which allowimmigrants to learn Swedish partly during working hours and partly in their own free time. Inaddition to the integration courses there are a number of language courses provided by the Adultteaching centre in Mariehamn (Medborgarinstitutet), usually running 1-2 evenings per week, forwhich the students pay a fee.8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒ All foreigners8b. Are the courses free of charge?https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 4 von 7Åland Page 6– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03☒ Other: Integration courses are free. General language courses in swedish on A1.1-B1.2-levels for asmall fee (50-130 €/semester)8c. Are there obligatory courses?☒ No9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?See answer of national parliament9a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?See answer of national parliament9b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?See answer of national parliament.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒ See answer of national parliament.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: See answer of national parliamentEvictions in 2016: See answer of national parliamentEvictions in 2017: See answer of national parliament11a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒ See answer of national parliament.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or See answer of national parliament.representativehttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 5 von 7Åland Page 7– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03the right to See answer of national parliament.accommodation in adedicated home or ina foster familychild-specific social, See answer of national parliament.economic andeducational rights12a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /return?☒ See answer of national parliament.12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?☒ See answer of national parliament.12c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?☒ See answer of national parliament.12d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors(school, youth welfare); best practice examples?☒ See answer of national parliament.12e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practiceexamples?Please see answer on question 813. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per migrant See answer of national parliament.per asylum seeker See answer of national parliament.per undocumented See answer of national parliament.personper minor See answer of national parliament.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 6 von 7Åland Page 8– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)03Currency Euro14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for migrants See answer of national parliament.for asylum seekers The Åland municipalities can decide on accepting quota refugees or grantingplace for persons who have been granted asylum in Finland. To date thereare six (out of 16) local municipalities who have received quota refugees.The municipalities arrange for accommodation for the families they receive.for refugees The Åland municipalities can decide on accepting quota refugees or grantingplace for persons who have been granted asylum in Finland. To date thereare six (out of 16) local municipalities who have received quota refugees.The municipalities arrange for accommodation for the families they receive.for minors See answer of national parliament.15a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒ Other Civil society in the Åland islands is very active and is playing a vital role both when localmunicipalities receive quota refugees (Åland Red Cross) and in integration of all immigrants. Thegovernment support civil society in Åland with approx. 15-18M EUR annually (all sectors).Promoting participation, integration and inclusion of all groups in society is a mainstreamedpriority that the government looks at when granting financial support to all civil societyassociations. In addition, a small envelope of 40,000 EUR annually is earmarked for specialprojects to promote integration.15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?See 15aPrintBack Pause the interview NextLeave and delete my dataAdministrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 91% completedhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=UFCE1M0T4272&rnd=IIFC Seite 7 von 7DanmarkDanmark Page 2– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56OverviewYou see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use thebutton 'Print' at the end of this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName Folketinget, the Danish ParliamentResponsable Katrine Bang NielsenE-Mail kbn@uim.dk2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regiontotal 5781190female 2904717with migration backround 591678living in urban areas 3722430living in rural areas 20263392a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding thepopulation structure in your region / countryfemale 10with migration 1backroundliving in urban areas 13living in rural areas 7https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 1 von 16Danmark Page 3– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56total 2018-25female 5with migration 1backroundliving in urban areas 8living in rural areas 3total 1126-40female 9with migration 4backroundliving in urban areas 13living in rural areas 5total 1841-50female 7with migration 2backroundliving in urban areas 9living in rural areas 5total 1451-65female 10with migration 2backroundliving in urban areas 11living in rural areas 7https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 2 von 16Danmark Page 4– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56total 1966+female 10with migration 1backroundliving in urban areas 10living in rural areas 7total 182. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionOtherNo answer2b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20years concerning demographic development?Total 6231998Female 3126067with migration background 7627743. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does animmigration law exist?☒ Yes, significant rules for immigration exist.☒ Yes, an immigration law exits.3a. What are the significant rules?The rules regarding immigration etc. are contained in The Danish Aliens Act. Furthermore, there area number of executive orders etc.For the possibility of obtaining a residence permit on the basis of family reunification, work, studyetc., please see: https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-applyFor the possibility of obtaining a residence permit on the basis of asylum, please see:https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Asylhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 3 von 16Danmark Page 5– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(563b. What is the immigration law?-4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?The Danish Aliens Act defines three different statuses, which can be granted to foreigners applyingfor asylum in Denmark: convention status, protection status and temporary protection status.Convention status:According to Section 7 (1) of the Danish Aliens Act, aliens covered by the UN Refugee Convention aregranted convention status in Denmark. The UN Refugee Convention defines a refugee as someonewho, owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality,membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationalityand is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; orwho, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as aresult of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.Protection status:According to Section 7 (2) of the Danish Aliens Act, aliens are granted protection status if the alienrisks the death penalty or being subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment orpunishment in case of return to his country of origin. The terms of Section 7 (2) are in accordancewith human rights conventions including Article 3 and Protocol 6 of the European Human RightsConvention.Temporary protection status:An alien who – due to a particularly serious situation characterized by arbitrary violence and attackson civilians in the country of origin – risks the death penalty or being subjected to torture orinhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in case of return to his country of origin is grantedtemporary protection status in accordance with Section 7 (3) of the Aliens Act.The Danish Aliens Act furthermore contains the possibility of resettlement of refugees (quotarefugees):According to Section 8 (1) of the Danish Aliens Act, a residence permit will be issued to an alien whoarrives in Denmark under an agreement made with the United Nations High Commissioner forRefugees or similar international agreement, and who falls within the provisions of the ConventionRelating to the Status of Refugees (28 July 1951), see section 7(1).According to Section 8 (2) of the Danish Aliens Act, a residence permit will be issued to an alien whoarrives in Denmark under an agreement as mentioned in Section 8 (1), and who risks the deathpenalty or being subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in case ofhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 4 von 16Danmark Page 6– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56return to his country of origin, see Section 7(2).According to Section 8 (3), a residence permit will be issued to an alien who arrives in Denmarkunder an agreement as mentioned in Section 8 (1), and who would presumably have met thefundamental conditions for obtaining a residence permit under one of the provisions of the DanishAliens Act if he had entered Denmark as an asylum-seeker.5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒ Yes As of 1 September 2015 Denmark allows for dual citizenship with no restrictions.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?A person who wants to work in Denmark will have to apply for residence and work permit.This mainrule does, however, not apply to, for instance, Nordic and EU nationals, foreign nationals who havea humanitarian residence permit or a residence permit obtained according to e.g. the rules onasylum or family reunification. This main rule does, however, not apply to, for instance, Nordic andEU nationals, foreign nationals who have a humanitarian residence permit or a residence permitobtained according to e.g. the rules on asylum or family reunification.This main rule does, however, not apply to, for instance, Nordic and EU nationals, foreign nationalswho have a humanitarian residence permit or a residence permit obtained according to e.g. therules on asylum or family reunification.We have understood the questionnaire as related to rules regarding residence permit on the basis ofemployment. The following list is therefore limited to this. Depending on the applicant’s situation,there are different ways to apply and obtain a work permit. However, for most schemes it is acondition that the applicant has been offered a job in Denmark before applying for a residence andwork permit in Denmark and that the salary and conditions are equivalent to Danish standards.The Pay Limit scheme: Persons who have been offered a job with an annual salary of DKK 417,793.60or more (2018 level) can be granted a residence and work permit based on the scheme.Fast-track scheme: Highly qualified employees who have been offered employment in a companycertified under the scheme can use the scheme for a quick and flexible job start in the company bystarting to work before receiving the necessary residence and work permit, if: The person isemployed on the conditions of the pay limit scheme. The person is employed as a researcher. Theemployment involves education at a high level. The employment corresponds to one short-term stayof less than three months a year. In addition, the scheme allows the employee to alternate betweenworking in Denmark and abroad.The Positive List: The Positive List is comprised of professional fields currently experiencing ashortage of well-qualified employees. Persons whose professional fields are on the list, and whohave been offered employment within this field, can be granted residence and work permit basedon the scheme. Please note that a position can only be admitted to the Positive List if the educationhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 5 von 16Danmark Page 7– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56level is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree/professional bachelor's degree.Researcher: Persons who have been offered a job as a researcher can be granted residence and workpermit. In addition, researchers can reside outside of Denmark for more than six months withoutlosing their permit. It should be noted that researchers who are invited to teach or give lectures inDenmark may do so without a residence and work permit, provided that the stay does not exceedthree consecutive months.Guest researcher: Persons with a master’s degree can be granted a residence and work permit if(s)he needs to conduct research as part of her/his further education or career development.Special individual qualifications: Persons who have been offered employment linked so close to theirindividual qualifications that only they can be assumed to be able to perform the job can be grantedresidence and work permit. This applies for instance to artists, entertainers and professionalathletes.Herdsmen and farm managers: Persons who possess the necessary professional qualifications can begranted residence and work permit in Denmark as a herdsman or farm manager in agriculture.Start-up Denmark: Persons who want to work as self-employed can be granted a residence and workpermit in order to operate an independent company in Denmark. Before applying for residence andwork permit, the business idea must be approved by a panel of experts appointed by the DanishBusiness Authority.Trainee: Persons can be granted a residence and work permit for the purpose of working in acompany in Denmark for a limited period of time for educational purposes.Labour market attachment: Persons whose residence permit has been revoked or extension has beendenied can be granted a new residence permit, provided that the (s)he has been working inDenmark for a minimum of two years.Employees on movable oil rigs, drillships etc.: Persons who will work at an oil rig, drillship or othercomparable movable workstations temporarily situated on Danish territory can be granted aresidence and work permit.In addition, Denmark has a scheme called “establishment card”, which allows for persons who havecompleted a Danish master’s degree or PhD to be granted residence permit with the aim ofestablishment in Denmark after finishing their educational programme. A person who has beengranted a residence permit under the scheme does not need to obtain a work permit, since thegranted residence permit includes the right to work.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers,refugees) exist?Asylum seekers:Foreigners always have the opportunity of asking the Citizen Service at the Danish ImmigrationService questions – both general questions regarding e.g. immigration and individual questionsconcerning for example a claim for asylum or family reunification.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 6 von 16Danmark Page 8– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56For more details, please see https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Contact-us/Contact-the-Danish-Immigration-Service/Citizen-ServiceThe Danish Refugee Council offers counselling to all asylum seekers in Denmark. The counsellingprovides general answers to questions about the asylum procedure, the Danish Aliens Act, the DublinRegulation and questions relating to departure.If an application for asylum will be further processed due to the Dublin Regulation, the DanishRefugee Council provides legal aid to the concerned asylum seeker(s).If an application for asylum has been refused by the Danish Immigration Service after beingprocessed according to the normal procedure, it will automatically be reviewed by the DanishRefugee Appeals Board. For this purpose, the asylum seeker in question will be appointed a lawyer.Furthermore, special rules apply for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers who are appointed apersonal representative to safeguard the interests of the minor and to offer support regarding theindividual application for asylum and on a more personal level.Refugees:Once an asylum seeker has been granted residence permit, the Danish Immigration Service willassign him or her to a municipality. The municipalities are responsible for the integration effort andthe advisory services and courses in relation to integration. The municipality must offer all newlyarrived refugees and foreigners reunited with a family member an ‘integration programme’. Forfurther information on the 'integration programme', please see the answer to question 8.It is also worth mentioning that civil society plays a significant role when it comes to integratingrefugees. The project ”Friends lead the way” has ensured that every [new] refugee in Denmark isoffered a Danish friend which can help the refugee with getting to know Danish society, establishinga new network in Denmark and to become active and included in the local society.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses orcourses e.g. for civic education or vocational training?☒ Yes, the following courses are provided. Asylum seekers: Newly arrived asylum seekers arerequired to take an introductory course free of charge at the reception centre. The courseprovides an introduction to Danish language, culture and society. When the initial phase of theapplication for asylum is completed and it has been decided that the application is to beprocessed in Denmark, an asylum seeker will be required to take courses in Danish, English or anative language. An asylum seeker is required to start these courses within three months afterapplying for asylum. A child at the mandatory school age will be offered schooling free of chargewhich in content and scope corresponds to education offered to bilingual pupils attending theDanish primary and lower-secondary school. Some children will be offered the opportunity toattend classes at a primary or lower-secondary school. An asylum seeker above the age of 18years is required to receive education, and children between the ages of 17-18 can opt to receiveeducation. Both are free of charge. For more details please see https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Conditions-for-asylum-seekers Foreigners with a residence permit - The integrationprogramme: The aim of the programme is to bring the foreigner with a residence permit intohttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 7 von 16Danmark Page 9– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56regular employment. The programme is extended until the foreigner is brought into regularemployment with a maximum duration of five years. The foreigner is obliged to participate in theprogramme offered. If the foreigner receives social benefits, the assistance may be reduced incase of non-participation without a legitimate reason. The integration programme consists of aDanish language course and ‘offers of active involvement’, aimed at labour market involvement:• Guidance and upgrading. • Job training and internship. • Employment with a wage subsidy. Theoffer of guidance and upgrading consists of short counselling and educational activities, speciallyarranged projects or training/educational courses, ordinary training/educational courses andspecial qualifying courses aimed at participation in the labour market. A job training offerconsists of job training with a private or public employer. In the period of training, the foreignermust carry out ordinary work. Foreigners under the Integration Act who have no problems besidesunemployment will be offered a traineeship for a limited period of time or a job with wagesubsidies. As mentioned above, the integration programme is aimed at refugees and foreignersreunited with a family member. The local authorities are obliged to offer an introduction courseto other newly arrived foreigners, i.e., labour immigrants and EU nationals. The introductioncourse is not mandatory. It contains the same elements as the integration programme but in alighter version. The scope and contents of the introduction course are not fixed in an integrationcontract. The local authorities are obliged, upon inquiry, to offer all the existing kinds of ‘activelabour market involvement’initiatives also to foreigners, who do not receive cash assistance. TheAct on Danish Courses for Adult Aliens and Others The Act on Danish Courses for Adult Aliens andOthers regulates the access of newly arrived foreigners to Danish language courses. The Act aimsat providing a flexible and efficient language education which can easily be combined withemployment and ensures a high progression rate allowing foreigners to quickly enter into thelabour market. With an amendment to the Act on Danish Courses for Adult Aliens and Others fromJuly 1, 2017 some changes to the act have been entered into force. The major changes are: •Introduction of a “beginners language course” offered to all newly arrived foreigners with aspecial focus on spoken language and conversations at work places. • Introduction of a systemwhereby Danish courses offered to foreign workers and students are time fixed and set up in away that allows slow performance or absence to be sanctioned with reduced study time. The aimis to encourage students to attend and finish the language course. • Introduction of a deposit tobe paid by foreign workers and students before accessing Danish courses. • Introduction of a twoyear pilot scheme whereby larger companies can offer language courses under less strictconditions / exemption from some of the rules stated by law. • Changed financial incentives forthe municipalities in order to make the Danish language courses more efficient. • Introduction ofmandatory regional frameworks on Danish language course every fourth year in the regions (acollective of municipalities) with the purpose of promoting transparency and possible synergiesbetween municipalities. As a consequence of the introduction of the “beginners language course”the labor market-oriented Danish course (a course consisting of 250 hour of Danish languagetraining offered to foreign workers and students) was abolished. This means that all newly arrivedaliens are offered the same language course. According to the Act, the local authority is obligedto offer Danish language courses within a month from taking over the integration responsibilityfor the person in question. The tuition is free of change for the participants. The duration andthe organizational set-up of the course offered depend on the type of residence permit held byhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 8 von 16Danmark Page 10– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56the individual concerned. Newly arrived refugees and their family members have access to up tofive years of Danish courses. This group of students are obliged to participate in the programmeas part of mandatory integration programme. In 2016, 35% of the students participating in theDanish course mentioned above were refugees and their family members. Newly arrived foreignworkers and student have access to up to 42 months of Danish tuition within a 5 year framework.This group of students are not obliged to participate in the Danish courses offered to them aspart of the introduction programme. The offer of Danish education comprises one of the followingthree Danish courses: • Danish course 1 is intended for students who have no or a pooreducational background and who have not learned to read or write in their mother tongue. •Danish course 2 is intended for students who normally have a short educational background fromtheir country of origin and who are expected to learn Danish as a second language rather slowly.• Danish course 3 is intended for students who normally have a lower or upper secondary orhigher educational background from their country of origin and who are expected to learn Danishas a second language rather rapidly. The language courses are divided into modules with specifictargets. Advancement from one module to the next requires that the targets of the currentmodule have been achieved. Each Danish course ends up with a final language exam. In eachmodule of the three courses, the focus of the language teaching is integration into the labourmarket but other topics are also handled as part of the teaching, such as democratic structures,the educational system etc. Cash assistance may be granted as assistance for expenses forparticipation in integration programmes, such as school fees, tools, transport, work clothing andeducation materials, certain reasonable non-recurrent expenses, medical treatment and specialassistance concerning children. Recipients of social assistance are obliged to be available for thelabour market, and assistance is reduced if a participant fails to attend offers of activation orDanish language courses without a valid excuse. Furthermore, the local authorities will cut cashassistance if a participant refuses to attend or if his or her attendance record reflects a will torefuse. Labour market-oriented Danish course A labour market-oriented Danish course is thusdesigned for those who have come to Denmark to study or work or as an accompanying spouse. Itis an independent course for those who need to quickly learn how to speak Danish at school, atwork, and in their daily lives. The labour market-oriented Danish course does not comprise testsor exams. The training is based on the student’s needs, so that the student can learn Danish asquickly as possible in relation to everyday life and work. Labour market-oriented Danish courseconsists of a maximum of five modules each comprising 50 hours of tuition. The course must becompleted within 11⁄2 year from the student’s enrolment. If employees, spouses, au pairs,students and cross border commuters, who have completed the labour market-oriented Danishcourse, within 11⁄2 year wish to master a higher linguistic level, the person has the right tocontinue with ordinary Danish language training for up to three years.8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒ Other: Please, see answer to no. 8 with regards to the different groups (asylum seekers, refugeesetc)https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 9 von 16Danmark Page 11– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(568b. Are the courses free of charge?☒ Other: Please see the answer to no. 8 above.8c. Are there obligatory courses?☒ Yes9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?An asylum seeker will normally receive the following benefits and services: Necessary healthcareand social services, as required; Education for children; Adult education and other activities;Accommodation at an asylum centre; Transport costs to and from meetings with public officials,healthcare providers etc.; Cash allowances (also see below on the conditions for benefit payments)9a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?The Danish Immigration Service pays cash benefits to asylum seekers in Denmark. The basicallowance, which covers expenses for food, personal hygiene items etc., is paid to asylum seekersover the age of 18 who do not receive free meals at their accommodation centre. The basicallowance is DKK 51.32 per adult, per day. If the asylum seeker lives at an accommodation centrewith his or her spouse/partner, the amount is DKK 40.63 per adult, per day. Asylum seekers withchildren receive an extra caregiver allowance. Furthermore, adult asylum seekers who fulfill theiragreement (a contract) with the accommodation operator receive an additional supplementaryallowance. By signing the contract, the asylum seeker agrees to take part in certain activities at theaccommodation centre, attend classes and do work around the centre.9b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?The level of benefit payments in relation to the average national income will vary according to thefamily type.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒ Yes10a. Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence inyour country / region?https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 10 von 16Danmark Page 12– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56The Danish Aliens Act contains specific rules regarding family reunification for spouses and childrenand regarding the conditions that the persons concerned have to fulfill for obtaining a residencepermit. Other relatives may also obtain a residence permit if exceptional reasons make itappropriate. With regard to the conditions for obtaining a residence permit on the basis of familyreunification, please see: https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Family/Family-reunification10b. Do families need visas for family-reunifications?☒ Yes10c. What are the visa regulations for family-reunifictaions?When a person is not a national from a visa free country, a visa is required for short stays until 90days within the Schengen area. The visa provisions are found in the Danish Aliens Act, the EU VisaCode and the Visa Executive Order. Visa practice is described in guidelines on the processing ofapplications for visas for Denmark. For further details please see: https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Short-stay-visa11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: Deportations: 3,961Evictions in 2016: Deportations: 4,576Evictions in 2017: Deportations: 2,87911a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒ Other The figures above include rejected asylum seekers, foreigners who have been deportedunder the Dublin Regulation, foreigners who have waived their asylum application and otherillegal immigrants in Denmark. In Denmark, a return decision is issued as part of a decision onlegal stay, i.e. a refusal of an application for residence permit, the withdrawal of a residencepermit etc. The authorities responsible depend on the decision to be taken. In general, theImmigration Service is responsible for decisions on asylum, family reunification andadministrative expulsion, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration isresponsible for decision related to work and study migration and the Ministry of Immigration,Integration and Housing is responsible for humanitarian residence permits. The Danish RefugeeBoard and the Immigration Board are complaint bodies. According to the Danish Aliens Act section30, an alien who does not have the right to reside in Denmark must leave the country. If the aliendoes not leave voluntarily, the Danish Police will make the arrangements for his/her departure.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 11 von 16Danmark Page 13– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(5612. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or Unaccompanied minors – asylum seekers:representativeThe rules regarding unaccompanied minor asylum seekers are contained inthe Danish Aliens Act which complies with international obligations –including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. With regards to aguardian or representative: Please see the answer to question 7.the right to An unaccompanied minor asylum seeker is accommodated in a specific centreaccommodation in a for unaccompanied minors with specially trained staff to take care of thededicated home or in minor according to his/her needs. Furthermore, unaccompanied minora foster family asylum seekers may be accommodated privately with friends or relativesliving in Denmark provided that certain criteria are met. Based on a thoroughassessment of the individual needs of an unaccompanied minor asylumseeker, a minor with special needs may be accommodated in special carefacilities or special housing arrangements that cater to the specific needs.child-specific social, Minor asylum seekers do in general have access to the same social rights aseconomic and national children, e.g. healthcare, dental care and education. Regardingeducational rights child-specific economic rights please see the answer to question 9. Regardingchild-specific education rights please see the answer to question 8.12a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /return?☒ Yes Following the arrival in Denmark, the Immigration Service can, in certain situations, initiate asearch for parents or other relatives to an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker. The search canbe carried out in collaboration with an organisation approved for this task by the Minister forImmigration and Integration. Furthermore, the International Red Cross can provide confidentialassistance to help find family members. During the period 2015-2017, Denmark has resettled 364minors. Unaccompanied minor third-country nationals who have been rejected asylum or who areillegally staying in Denmark will be offered prepared repatriation. The purpose of the offer is toensure the unaccompanied minors a thoroughly well-planned repatriation. In order to be eligiblefor prepared repatriation it is a condition that the alien has entered Denmark as a minor and hasaccepted the offer of prepared repatriation before the age of 18. Further, it is a condition thathe or she continuously cooperates in their repatriation. International Organization for Migration(IOM) is the implementing partner of The Danish Immigration Service for prepared repatriation ofunaccompanied minors. The programme includes preparation and implementation of the travelfrom Denmark, receipt of the minor in the home country, payment of cash benefits, shelter costsfor a limited period of time after arrival in the home country, and payment of health care costsas required. In addition, the programme includes individual reintegration activities in the homecountry. The purpose of the reintegration program is to help the minor to resume daily life in thehttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 12 von 16Danmark Page 14– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56home country again and can, among other things, include help with schooling, training and jobplacement. In addition, the minor will have access to free legal counselling during the planning ofthe programme. In addition, unaccompanied minor rejected asylum seekers or unaccompaniedminors who are illegally staying in Denmark will be offered reintegration support through theEuropean Reintegration Network (ERIN), if such a programme is available in the country of origin.12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?☒ Yes Asylum seekers turning 18 years old while staying in Denmark will as a starting point notcontinue to receive special support as minors but will in general receive the same support asevery other adult asylum seeker in Denmark.12c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?☒ Yes The Danish Immigration Service carries out age assessments of unaccompanied asylumapplicants claiming to be less than 18 years of age. Each age assessment is based on an individualassessment of the facts of the case, including e.g. the applicant’s psychical appearance, possiblelack of ID-documents, the existence of non-verifiable documentation regarding the applicant’sage, or information from other countries or authorities regarding the applicant’s age.The ageassessment procedure is not carried out if it is obvious that the applicant is either a minor or anadult. The applicant claiming to be a minor is treated as such while the age assessment ispending. If the age cannot be determined on the basis of the ID-documents provided by theapplicant or other information in the case, the Danish Immigration Service may require that theapplicant participates in a medical examination to determine the person’s age.The medicalexamination is carried out by the Department of Forensic Medicine at the University ofCopenhagen who on the basis of a physical examination, a carpal (hand/wrist) x-ray and a dentalassessment prepares an individual conclusion of the examination. The result of the examinationtakes into account the uncertainty due to e.g. ethnicity and differences in upbringing. Theexamination will result in a conclusion of the most likely biological age, often indicated as an agebetween e.g. 19-21 years. Even though the medical assessment is based on objective findings, itis subject to some uncertainty. Thus, the immigration authorities will always read the medicalassessment in combination with the other facts of the case. In addition to the conclusion fromthe medical examination, the Danish Immigration Service takes into consideration the facts of thecase, including e.g. the information provided by the applicant, any possible ID-documents and/ornon-verifiable documentation regarding the applicant’s age, or information from other countriesor authorities regarding the applicant’s age. If the most likely age assessed by the Department ofForensic Medicine at the University of Copenhagen is within 1 year from the age stated by theapplicant, the applicant will as a general rule enjoy the benefit of the doubt. The decision madeby the Danish Immigration Service regarding the applicant’s age can be appealed to the DanishRefugee Appeals Board.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 13 von 16Danmark Page 15– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(5612d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors(school, youth welfare); best practice examples?☒ See answer of national parliament.12e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practiceexamples?Unaccompanied minors who are granted a residence permit:Unaccompanied minors are subject to the same rules as other children in Denmark, including theright to school and special offers and measures according to the Act on Social Services. When anunaccompanied minor is granted a residence permit, the immigration authorities decide in whichmunicipality the minor should reside. As soon as possible after the responsibility for anunaccompanied minor has passed to the local authority, the local authority must assign housing tothe refugee. Until a permanent housing solution is available the municipality must offer a temporaryhousing solution such as an apartment with a time limited lease.The municipality is responsible forthe integration of the minor. The specific integration effort offered by the municipality to the childwill be based on a concrete and individual assessment of the child’s personal situation, age,matureness and needs. According to the Act on Parental Responsibility a temporary custodian holdermust always be designated for the child. The temporary custodian holder is usually a voluntary whois responsible for taking care of the minors’ best interests with regard to relevant decisionsregarding the minor. The temporary custodian holder is appointed until the minor reaches the age of18 years or the parents to the minor enter the country. In order to ensure and support the sharing ofbest practices and recommendations among the municipalities, the Ministry of Immigration andIntegration has among other things distributed a handbook about the good reception ofunaccompanied minors in the municipalities (2012) and developed the webpage”integrationsviden.dk” [integrationknowledge.dk].Moreover, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration under the Ministry ofImmigration and Integration facilitates a leader network for all municipalities about integrationwhere the municipalities can exchange best practices and discuss their challenges and experiencesconcerning integration, including those of unaccompanied minors.Civil society also plays asignificant role when it comes to integrating children, including unaccompanied minors. The project”Friends lead the way”, as mentioned in the answer to question 7, has ensured that every newrefugee in Denmark – including unaccompanied minors – is offered a Danish friend. With regard tohealth services all residents in Denmark, including refugees who have received a residence permit,are entitled to public health care including hospital treatment, treatment by a general or specialistpractitioner and rehabilitation post-hospitalisation. Furthermore, newly arrived children who havereceived a residence permit are entitled to a medical screening with the purpose of detectingsevere health problems at an early stage. When the minor has turned 18 years of age the same rulesapply as for other adult refugees.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 14 von 16Danmark Page 16– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(5613. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per asylum seeker 21.375Currency DKK14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for migrants -for asylum seekers The Danish Immigration Service is responsible for establishing receptioncenters and accommodating asylum seekers. The Danish Immigration Servicehas several partners, who are responsible for the day-to-day operation of thereception centers. The operators are the Danish Red Cross, a number ofmunicipalities, and the Prison and Probation Service. The cooperationbetween the Danish Immigration Service and the operators is regulated inannual contracts which are subject to a public tender as per EU Directive2024/24 on Public Procurement (light regime).for minors Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers until the age of 17 are accommodatedin smaller housing units than adults. These units are manned around theclock and in general have more staff available than other reception centers.Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers older than 17 years are accommodatedat a regular reception center, however, separated from adult asylum seekersand with more staff available.15a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒ Other In regard to asylum seekers, the reception centre operators are contractually obligated tomotivate relevant and interested people and associations in the local community to do voluntarywork at the reception centres.15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?This obligation (see above) is financed through the appropriation for the operators within theframework of the Danish Finance Act.PrintBack Pause the interview NextLeave and delete my datahttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 15 von 16Danmark Page 17– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(56Administrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 94% completedhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=HILT5I0PIZSD&rnd=WXVZ Seite 16 von 16EstoniaMinistry of Foreign Affairs of theRepublic of EstoniaEstonia Page 2Questions by the BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration - 20181. CountryEstonia2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure of your country /region regarding the people with migration background and age structure:Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+ among those: female / with migrationbackground / living in urban areas / living in rural areas / undocumented (“cross-table”)2. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration law exist?A third-country national must have a legal basis to stay in Estonia. For entry and residence, either avisa or a residence permit can be applied for.The entry of third-country nationals into Estonia, their temporary stay, residence and employment inEstonia, as well as their obligations, are regulated in the Aliens Act.3. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?The Estonian asylum law is based on the EU acquis (Qualification directive 2011/95/EU), whichEstonia has fully transposed into national legislation Act on Granting International Protection toAliens. Refugee status is granted to an alien who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted forreasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, isoutside the country of nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself orherself of the protection of that country and with regard to whom no circumstance exists precludingrecognition as a refugee. Upon assessing persecution, it does not matter whether the alien has a realbasis for persecution specified in this subsection or only the circumstance of persecution.[RT I, 06.04.2016, 1 – entry into force 01.05.2016]Subsidiary protection is granted to an alien who does not qualify as a refugee and with regard to whomno circumstance exists which would preclude granting of subsidiary protection and in respect of whomsubstantial grounds have shown for believing that his or her return or expulsion to his or her country oforigin may result in a serious risk in the specified country, including:1) imposition or execution of death penalty on him or her, or2) torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of him or her, or3) individual threat to his or her life or the lives of civilians or violence towards him or her or civiliansby reason of international or internal armed conflict.4. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?The basis of the Estonian citizenship policy is that an Estonian citizen cannot be a citizen of anotherstate at the same time.By the Citizenship Act, with regard to minors, dual citizenship will be allowed, no matter if the childacquired Estonian citizenship by birth or through naturalisation - the release from Estonian citizenshipor deprivation of it will be precluded until he or she gets a possibility to choose which citizenship toprefer. That means if they have dual citizenship, they shall renounce either the Estonian or the othercountry’s citizenship within 3 years after attaining the age of 18 years.There is another exception and requirement to release from the citizenship of another state will not beapplied to beneficiaries of international protection granted by Estonia or any other EU member state, ifthe circumstances, which constituted the basis for granting the permission, have not ceased to exist.5. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Since 2013, Estonia no longer issues work permits. Residence permit also gives the third-countrynationals access to the labour market.Third-country nationals who have obtained a residence permit for employment are allowed to work inEstonia only under the conditions determined in the residence permit. In general, a labour market testand a salary threshold applies to obtain a residence permit for employment. However, severalcategories are exempted from these requirements. Third-country nationals who have obtainedEstonia Page 3residence permit under other grounds (e.g. study, entrepreneurship) have access to labour market undercondition that the employment does not interfere with the main purpose of stay. The labour market testand salary criterias do not apply. Third-country residence, who have obtained residence permit forfamily reasons, have unlimited access to labour market.Third-country nationals who are staying temporarily in Estonia (e.g. visa-free travel or visa) may workin Estonia if the employer has registered their employment with the Police and Border Guard Boardbefore the employment commences.Asylum seekers have automatic access to labor market when after 6 months form the registration of theasylum application the final decision is not in force. When the international protection status andresidence permit has been granted, the right automatically remains or starts.6. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?There is an advisory service for potential migrants, for migrants already in the country and those whowish to invite migrants at the Police and Boarder Guard Board (PBGB). The main aim of the service isto counsel persons on the procedures of obtaining and extending visas, residence permits etc with viewof ensuring their legal entry and stay in Estonia. The advisory service also includes counsellingcompanies wishing to hire foreign nationals and higher education institutions where the latter study oraim to study.There is also counselling for asylum seekers in the PBGB ́s detention centre and in reception centreadministered by the Ministry of Social affairs. Advisors main task is to provide information about therights and obligations of the applicants and to assist them in communication with authorities, forexample assistance applying for state legal aid etc.There are also counselling services provided to all migrants under the Ministry of Culture with servicecentres in Tallinn and Narva.7. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g. for civiceducation or vocational training?− Who is allowed to participate?− Are they free of charge?− Are there obligatory ones?For persons that have entered or stayed in Estonia legally for less than five years, a Welcomingprogramme is provided that gives an overview of life in Estonia, work, education, family life, issuesrelated to children, also on issues related to receiving asylum. The Welcoming programme alsoprovides language tuition up to level A1. The Welcoming programme is free of charge and for personsnot beneficiaries of international protection, not compulsory.8. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?A third-country national staying in Estonia is guaranteed rights and freedoms equal to those of anEstonian citizen unless the Constitution, act of law or other legislation or a treaty binding on Estoniaprovides otherwise.Third-country nationals staying in Estonia under residence permit enjoy the same benefits and socialassistance as Estonian citizens.− What are the conditions for the benefit payments?It greatly depends on a benefit. For example a family support depends from a number of children,subsistence benefit is determined by the government.− How do the benefits relate to the average national income?Family support is universal. Subsistence benefit is paid, if persons’ or familys’ monthly net incomeafter paying rent and communal costs will be less than 140€ per adult or first member of the family,112€ per second member of the family and 168€ per minor.Estonia Page 49. Are there possibilities for family-reunification? Under which conditions are relatives allowed totake residence in your country / region and do they need visas and what are the visa regulations?The migration rules in Estonia aim to support family migration. Third-country nationals residing inEstonia on the basis of residence permit may bring their spouse and minor children with them. Therequirement of prior 2 years residence was abolished in 2017. Thus, family members may join thethird-country national from day one. In addition, family members also have access to the labourmarket. To apply for a residence permit to settle with a spouse or close relative, the third-countrynational must provide documentation that they are close relatives, documentation on adequate legalincome and a health insurance document.Certain categories of third-country nationals may also bring their spouse and children with them if theyare staying in Estonia temporarily on the basis of a visa (or visa-free travel). Such opportunity is givento those foreigners coming to Estonia to study, work or who with to establish a startup in Estonia.Estonia has transposed the family reunification directive and other relevant asylum acquis of the EU.Beneficiaries of international protection can reunify their family members. Beneficiary must apply forthe reunification and provide information of the family member, whom they wish to be reunited with.Police and Boarder Guard Board will make a decision on reunification in case the relative falls underthe definition of the family member. Family member applies for a visa, arrives to Estonia and appliesfor asylum stating the reason being a family reunification. During proceedings, it will be assessed if theperson needs international protection or a residence permit of the beneficiary of internationalprotection.10. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number of evictions in2015 / 2016 / 2017?− Who decides?Return decisions are issued by the Police and Border Guard Board.Removals:in 2015—157in 2016—153in 2017—16511. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realize the right tocertain supports, including (according to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child):− A guardian or representative?A guardian is always appointed to an unaccompanied minor ASAP. This person is a localmunicipalitys’ child welfare specialist, where the minor is living.− The right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family?Unaccompanied minors are in home like institutions where they will stay until they reach adulthood.− child-specific social, economic and educational rights?All the children have the right to safe housing, medical care, psychological help, translation, education.− Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?Estonia does not have special programs for family reunification, resettlement, return forunaccompanied minors.− Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?After reaching an adulthood, young people are supported as any other person legally in Estonia(services and benefits).− Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?− Are there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); best practice examples?There are no special programmes. Children will start going to school ASAP after arrival to Estonia(even during the period when their applications are proceeded) and they will attend the ordinaryschool. First emphasis in school is on language learning and less verbal subjects such as physicaleducation and industrial arts. In all the activities minors best interests are a priority by Estonianlegislation and the main emphasis is to integrate them to Estonia in holistic way.Estonia Page 512. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylum seeker /undocumented person, minor.N/A13. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation for migrants, asylumseekers (refugees, minors.)While international protection applications are processed, applicants live either in accommodationcentres or if they have any relatives living in Estonia, then with the permission of Police and BorderGuard Board, they can also live outside the centre.After getting a status, single adults or families will receive help finding a rental apartment from thefree rental market from private owners. Help is provided by the accommodation centre and supportperson.14. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national / regional)? Financial support?Volunteers are involved in providing support person service. At this point an organization is holding acontract with the state and are therefore paid for the basic expenses. Volunteers are also involved inAMIF funded projects to conduct different classes and trainings for refugees. Also they are providingintegration events in different counties.FinlandFinland Page 2– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53You see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use the button 'Print' atthe end of this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName Mika LaaksonenResponsable The Parliament of FinlandE-Mail Mika.Laaksonen@eduskunta.fi2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure ofyour country / regionInsert total number (e.g. total = 1700000)total 5503297with migration backround 243639living in urban areas -living in rural areas -undocumented -2a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding the populationstructure in your region / countryInsert percentagewith migration 1 %backroundtotal 19 %18-25with migration 0 %backroundtotal 8 %26-401 von 10Finland Page 3– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53with migration 2 %backroundtotal 19 %41-50with migration 1 %backroundtotal 12 %51-65with migration 1 %backroundtotal 20 %66+with migration 0 %backroundtotal 21 %2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure ofyour country / regionOtherNo answer2b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20 yearsconcerning demographic development?No answer3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration lawexist?☒ Exeptions/Explanation: Yes, Aliens Act (301/2004) https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2004/en20040301_20101152.pdf3a. What are the significant rules?No answer3b. What is the immigration law?Aliens Act (301/2004)https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2004/en20040301_20101152.pdf2 von 10Finland Page 4– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:534. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?Asylum can be granted in Finland if a person have a well-founded fear of being persecuted in his/her homecountry or country of permanent residence because of origin, religion, nationality, membership in a certain socialgroup or political opinions.Another requirement is that a person cannot rely on the protection of the authorities of his/her home country orcountry of permanent residence because of the persecution fear.The Finnish Immigration Service will evaluate whether an applicant meets the grounds for getting asylum. Thecriteria for asylum are defined in the Finnish law (Aliens Act) and international agreements that Finland hasadopted.5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒ Yes Finland accepts multiple citizenship. In other words, a Finnish citizen may also be a citizen of some othercountry. Even if a Finnish citizen has more than one citizenship, the Finnish authorities will consider him or herto be a Finnish citizen both in Finland and abroad.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Please explain the A residence permit is needed for working in Finland. The grounds of a residence permit isconditions to obtain a determined by the amount and types of work a person is allowed to do.work permit. A residence permit applicant must get an appropriate salary for his/her work. This salarymust be enough to support him/her for the entire time your residence permit is valid.The citizens of EU and EEA countries and their family members have the right to work inFinland without restrictions. However, they must register their right of residence.An applicant must also meet general requirements for entry into Finland. He/she- has a valid passport.- has not been prescribed a prohibition of entry.- is not a danger to public order and security.- is not a danger to public health.- is not a danger to Finland’s international relations.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?Yes.Legal advice for asylum seekersAn asylum seeker has a right to a legal counsel. Legal counselling is offered by legal aid offices. The legal counseldoes not usually participate in asylum interviews. Legal counsel is allowed to be present but he/she will only bepaid if there are special, weighty reasons why he/she needs to be there. The legal aid office decides whether itwill compensate the legal counsel’s costs. If the legal aid office decides not to cover the costs, an asylum seekermay pay for legal counsel himself/herself or go to the interview alone.A representative will find a legal counsel for an asylum seeker who is under 18 years of age and has arrived inFinland alone. The legal aid offices always compensate the costs of the legal counsels of asylum seekers who areunder 18 years of age and who arrived alone.Unaccompanied minor asylum seekersFinnish District Courts assign a representative to each asylum seeker who is younger than 18 and has arrived inFinland without a guardian. The representative’s task is to ensure that the child’s best interests are taken into3 von 10Finland Page 5– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53account in different situations. The Finnish Immigration Service will pay the representative’s fee.The representative uses the right of action that belongs to the guardian of a minor child, helps the child withofficial matters or takes care of the child’s matters on his/her behalf with the Finnish authorities. For example,the representative participates in the child’s asylum interview, which is a part of the processing of his/her asylumapplication.The representative is not responsible for the daily maintenance, upbringing or other care of the child. Thesematters are the responsibility of the reception centre.Services of asylum seekers in FinlandPeople applying for asylum in Finland have the right to get reception services which safeguard their necessaryfinancial support and care. The reception centres operate under the guidance of the Immigration Service andorganise the necessary reception services. The reception services include accommodation, reception allowance orspending allowance, any necessary social and health services, interpretation and translation services as well aswork and training activities.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or coursese.g. for civic education or vocational training?☒ Yes, language courses are provided.☒ Yes, courses for civic education are provided.☒ Yes, the following courses are provided. The reception centres organise work and study activities for asylumseekers. They are obligatory. If an asylum seeker refuses to attend work and study activities, his/her financialsupport may be reduced. The work and study activities do not mean a paid job outside the reception centre.Most often, the study activities are studies in the Finnish or Swedish language. The work activities areorganised by the reception centre, and the work is done at the reception centre. The work consists of everydaytasks such as maintaining the yard or cleaning. Before an asylum seeker’s work and study activities begin, thereception centre will make a personal work and study activity plan with him/her. In addition, each asylumseeker is required to take a basic course on the Finnish society, as a part of his/her work and study activities.Children who live in reception centres have the right to participate in basic education. The municipality inwhich the reception centre is located organises basic education for all children who live in that municipalityand who are of compulsory school age. The municipality also organises pre-primary education for children whowill reach the compulsory school age in the coming year. An asylum seeker’s right to study outside receptioncentre is not restricted. Thus, an asylum seeker may apply for and accept a study place if this is not against therules and regulations of the educational institution in question. However, receiving a study place does notautomatically mean that a residence permit is granted. If a person is granted a residence permit in Finland,he/she will become a residence of a municipality. This means that he/she is entitled to municipal services, suchas early childhood education and care, basic education, social welfare, health care and housing. Moreover,municipalities and Employment and Economic Development Offices are required to offer measures and servicesthat promote and support integration. These measures include instruction in the Finnish or Swedish language,information about the Finnish society and culture and opportunities of finding employment and pursuingeducation, especially in the initial period after their arrival in the country.8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒ Citizens with migration background☒ Asylum seekers☒ Other: See 88b. Are the courses free of charge?☒ Special conditions/Exeptions: See 84 von 10Finland Page 6– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:538c. Are there obligatory courses?☒ Only for the following: The reception centres organise work and study activities for asylum seekers. They areobligatory. If an asylum seeker refuses to attend work and study activities, his/her financial support may bereduced.9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?According to Act on Receiving Individuals Seeking International Protection (746/2011), an asylum seeker who hasapplied for asylum is entitled to reception allowance or spending allowance. The allowance is paid until theasylum application has been processed. An asylum seeker is not covered by the Finnish social security system andtherefore is not entitled to any other social security benefits.If an asylum seeker is unable to provide for himself/herself, he/she can apply for financial aid to cover livingcosts from the reception centre in which he/she is registered as client. Section 19 of the Act on ReceivingIndividuals Seeking International Protection, prescribes that reception allowance is granted to provide an incomenecessary to secure the fundamental basic needs required for decent existence and promote independent living.Reception allowance is granted, if an asylum seeker is in need of support and cannot gain an income through workor some other source or from private assets, or the seeker’s needs are not provided for by another person withduty to maintain him/her.The basic component of the reception allowance covers clothing expenses, small-scale health care expenses, thecosts of using local transport and telephone as well as other corresponding, food and everyday expenses of theindividual and family when the reception centre does not provide meal service. The supplementary receptionallowance covers expenses caused by the special needs or circumstances of the individual or family when theseare deemed appropriate.The amount of the basic component of the reception allowance per month is:EUR 312.23 for persons living alone and for single parents. If the reception centre offers meals, the allowance isEUR 91.52.For other persons over 18 years EUR 263.78. If the reception centre offers meals, the allowance is EUR 75.36.For a child who lives with his/her parents EUR 199.18. If the reception centre offers meals, the allowance is EUR59.21.If the reception centre provides full board, which encompasses the expenses covered by the basic andsupplementary component of the reception allowance as meant by Section 19 as well as health care expenses thatare not small-scale, an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker will be granted spending allowance instead of thereception allowance. The amount of spending allowance for an unaccompanied minor who is under 16 years old isEUR 26.92 per month and EUR 48.44 for minors who are 16 or 17 years old.9a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?No answer9b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?Social security benefits for persons who reside in FinlandA person who has come to Finland as an asylum seeker and been granted asylum or a residence permit on groundsof subsidiary or humanitarian protection or has been accorded refugee status, is covered, with certainexceptions, by the Finnish social security system, if the person intends to move permanently to Finland. If aperson is granted a residence permit in Finland, he/she is eligible for the same social security benefits and social5 von 10Finland Page 7– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53and health services as other permanent residents.If a person enters Finland as a ‘quota refugee’, he/she is covered by the Finnish social security system as soon ashe/she arrives to Finland. However, if a person has been given a residence permit by virtue of the need fortemporary protection or a similar reason, he/she is not considered to be moving to Finland permanently and istherefore not covered by the Finnish social security system.When an asylum seeker is granted a residence permit, he/she becomes entitled to benefits from the SocialInsurance Institution of Finland and municipalities. Social security benefits payed by the Social InsuranceInstitution guarantee basic subsistence in the event of unemployment, illness, and disability and during old age aswell as at the birth of a child or the loss of a provider.There are some special requirements for eligibility to some social security benefits. For example to qualify forparental allowances, the parents must have lived in Finland for at least 180 days immediately before the baby’sexpected date of delivery.In 2015, average taxable income in Finland was EUR 28,750 a year per income recipient (approx. 2,396/month).When comparing average income to allowances granted for asylum seekers, it must be taken into account, thatasylum seekers are provided at least accommodation and necessary social and health services free of charge.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒ Yes10a. Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country/ region?A family member needs a residence permit on the basis of family ties. A family member must apply for a residencepermit himself/herself.Finnish law defines the persons considered to be family members. The concept of family is narrower in Finlandthan in many other countries. These are the family members of a Finnish citizen and a foreign national who is notan EU citizen:• a spouse• a registered partner• a cohabiting partner• a guardian of a child under 18 years of age• a childIn most cases, a family member must have secure means of support. ‘Secure means of support’ means that afamily member have sufficient funds to live in Finland. Income can come for example from employment, a privateenterprise, assets or pensions. The required amount of income depends on the size of a family.10b. Do families need visas for family-reunifications?☒ Exeptions/Conditions: Only family members of persons who have been granted asylum or selected as quotarefugees may apply for family reunification within three months without an income requirement, if the familyties existed before the asylum seeker came to Finland or before the quota refugee was selected for Finland’srefugee quota.10c. What are the visa regulations for family-reunifictaions?No answer6 von 10Finland Page 8– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:5311. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: 1897Evictions in 2016: 2031Evictions in 2017: 274911a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒ Other The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) decides on refusals of entry and deportation. The FinnishImmigration Service operates under the Ministry of the Interior.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or Finnish District Courts assign a representative to each asylum seeker who is younger thanrepresentative 18 and has arrived in Finland without a guardian. The representative’s task is to ensurethat the child’s best interests are taken into account in different situations. The FinnishImmigration Service will pay the representative’s fee.The representative uses the right of action that belongs to the guardian of a minor child,helps the child with official matters or takes care of the child’s matters on his or herbehalf with the Finnish authorities. For example, the representative participates in thechild’s asylum interview which is a part of the processing of his or her asylum application.The representative is not responsible for the daily maintenance, upbringing or other careof the child. These matters are the responsibility of the reception centre.the right to A person who is under the age of 18 and who has arrived in Finland alone to apply foraccommodation in a asylum will be accommodated in a group home or a supported housing unit.dedicated home or in Group homes are intended for children under 16 years of age. Supported housing units area foster family for young people who are 16 or 17 years old. In group homes, some of the residents maybe over 16 years of age. Group homes and supported housing units are smaller and havemore employees per client than reception centres for adults and families. They put anemphasis on care and upbringing.child-specific social, Minor asylum seekers are entitled to the same healthcare services as local people. Theyeconomic and are also entitled to attend Finnish comprehensive school (from seven to sixteen years ofeducational rights age). In many schools, children are placed in special preparatory classes for foreignchildren where they are first taught Finnish or Swedish before going into a normal schoolclass.Aliens Act Section 6a regulates medical age assessment:(1) A medical age assessment may be carried out to establish the age of a sponsor or analien applying for a residence permit if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting thereliability of the information the person has given on his or her age.(2) The performance of an examination requires that the person to be tested has given aninformed consent in writing of his or her own volition. The written consent of his or herparent or guardian or other legal representative is also required.(3) Anyone who refuses to undergo an examination is treated as an adult if there are noreasonable grounds for refusal. A refusal to undergo an examination may not as suchconstitute grounds for rejecting an application for international protection.(4) Before obtaining consent, the applicant or sponsor and the applicant’s or sponsor’sparent, guardian or other legal representative shall be given information on the7 von 10Finland Page 9– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53importance of age assessment, the examination methods used, potential health effects, and the consequences ofhaving and of refusing an examination. The information shall be given in the native language of the applicant orsponsor and the applicant’s or sponsor’s parent, guardian or legal representative or in a language which he or shemay reasonably be expected to understand.12a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?No answer12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?No answer12c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?No answer12d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors (school, youthwelfare); best practice examples?No answer12e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practice examples?See answer of national parliament.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per migrant See answer of national parliament.per asylum seeker 19200per minor 53200Currency Euro14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for migrants See answer of national parliament.for asylum seekers Asylum seekers are accommodated at reception centres. The place where an asylum seekerstays depends on age, gender and other circumstances. Additionally, accommodation isorganised in a way that makes it possible for family members to live together in the sameplace if they want to.The reception services include accommodation, reception allowance or spendingallowance, any necessary social and health services, interpretation and translationservices as well as work and training activities. Also meals can be provided as part of thereception services.The first place where asylum seekers usually stay is called a transit centre. The transit8 von 10Finland Page 10– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53centres are located near the service points of the Finnish Immigration Service that hold asylum interviews. Thesecentres are primarily meant for new asylum seekers who have just arrived in Finland. After an asylum seeker hashad an asylum interview, he/she will be transferred to another reception centre to wait for a decision.There are many reception centres of different types and sizes in different parts of Finland. Some receptioncentres are with catering, which means that the reception centre offers meals to everyone who lives there. Theother ones are with individual or shared kitchens, where asylum seekers can cook their own meals.Reception centres are maintained by many operators: the Finnish Immigration Service, Finnish municipalities,organisations and companies. All reception centres offer the same reception services to the people who livethere, and all reception centres operate according to the same principles. The Finnish Immigration Servicedirects, plans and supervises the practical operations of all reception centres.The reception of asylum seekers is steered by the Finnish Act on the Reception of Persons Applying forInternational Protection.for refugees See answer of national parliament.for minors Persons under the age of 18 who arrive in Finland without a guardian are accommodatedat a group home or a supported housing unit.15a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒ Regional15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?Involvement of volunteers is mainly organised by NGOs, which provide different kind of support for asylumseekers and refugees in Finland. This support is organised independently by NGOs. Finnish NGOs have bothemployees and volunteers who participate in supporting different groups of people who need help.Finnish health care and social sector NGOs are mainly funded by the State. The State funding is granted by TheFunding Centre for Social and Health Organisations (STEA), which is state-aid authority operating in connectionwith the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. State funding for NGOs is the revenue of state-owned gamingcompany Veikkaus Oy. The revenue of Veikkaus is approximately one billion euros per year which is directed toNGOs.In addition, municipalities may grant funding to NGOs.Finnish health care and social sector NGOs are mainly funded by the State. The State funding is granted by TheFunding Centre for Social and Health Organisations (STEA), which is state-aid authority operating in connectionwith the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. State funding for NGOs is the revenue of state-owned gamingcompany Veikkaus Oy. The revenue of Veikkaus is approximately one billion euros per year which is directed toNGOs.In addition, municipalities may grant funding to NGOs.PrintBack Pause the interview Next9 von 10Finland Page 11– Electronic Form27.03.2018 17:53Leave and delete my dataAdministrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 94% completed10 von 10Finland Page 12LIST OF QUESTIONSØ Regional parliaments have the opportunity to refer to the response of nationalparliaments if there are no corresponding figures available at regional level.Ø Additional documents please add per Mail.1. Name of national / regional parliamentThe Parliament of Finland2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure ofyour country / region regarding the people with migration background and agestructure:Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+among those: female / with migration background / living in urban areas /living in rural areas / undocumented (“cross-table”)Table 1. Finnish nationals and foreign nationals by age in 2016.Source: Statistics Finland.Age Finnish nationals Foreign nationals Total0–18 1 028 438 20 % 43 467 18 % 1 071 90518–24 435 435 8 % 20 542 8 % 455 97725–39 955 175 18 % 95 831 39 % 1 051 00640–49 623 313 12 % 41 251 17 % 664 56450–64 1 077 989 20 % 31 881 13 % 1 109 87065 + 1 139 308 22 % 10 667 4 % 1 149 975Total 5 259 658 100 % 243 639 100 % 5 503 297Table 2. Foreign nationals by age and sex in 2016.Source: Statistics Finland.Age Male Female Total0–18 22 769 17 % 20 698 18 % 43 46718–24 10 873 8 % 9 669 9 % 20 54225–39 53 088 40 % 42 743 38 % 95 83140–49 23 059 18 % 18 192 16 % 41 25150–64 16 410 12 % 15 471 14 % 31 88165 + 5 100 4 % 5 567 5 % 10 667Total 131 299 100 % 112 340 100 % 243 639Finland Page 133. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration lawexist?Yes, Aliens Act (301/2004)https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2004/en20040301_20101152.pdf4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?Asylum can be granted in Finland if a person have a well-founded fear of beingpersecuted in his/her home country or country of permanent residence because oforigin, religion, nationality, membership in a certain social group or political opinions.Another requirement is that a person cannot rely on the protection of the authorities ofhis/her home country or country of permanent residence because of the persecutionfear.The Finnish Immigration Service will evaluate whether an applicant meets the groundsfor getting asylum. The criteria for asylum are defined in the Finnish law (Aliens Act)and international agreements that Finland has adopted.5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?Finland accepts multiple citizenship. In other words, a Finnish citizen may also be acitizen of some other country. Even if a Finnish citizen has more than one citizenship,the Finnish authorities will consider him or her to be a Finnish citizen both in Finlandand abroad.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?A residence permit is needed for working in Finland. The grounds of a residencepermit is determined by the amount and types of work a person is allowed to do.A residence permit applicant must get an appropriate salary for his/her work. Thissalary must be enough to support him/her for the entire time your residence permit isvalid.The citizens of EU and EEA countries and their family members have the right towork in Finland without restrictions. However, they must register their right ofresidence.An applicant must also meet general requirements for entry into Finland. He/she- has a valid passport.- has not been prescribed a prohibition of entry.- is not a danger to public order and security.- is not a danger to public health.- is not a danger to Finland’s international relations.Finland Page 147. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?Yes.Legal advice for asylum seekersAn asylum seeker has a right to a legal counsel. Legal counselling is offered by legalaid offices. The legal counsel does not usually participate in asylum interviews. Legalcounsel is allowed to be present but he/she will only be paid if there are special,weighty reasons why he/she needs to be there. The legal aid office decides whether itwill compensate the legal counsel’s costs. If the legal aid office decides not to coverthe costs, an asylum seeker may pay for legal counsel himself/herself or go to theinterview alone.A representative will find a legal counsel for an asylum seeker who is under 18 yearsof age and has arrived in Finland alone. The legal aid offices always compensate thecosts of the legal counsels of asylum seekers who are under 18 years of age and whoarrived alone.Unaccompanied minor asylum seekersFinnish District Courts assign a representative to each asylum seeker who is youngerthan 18 and has arrived in Finland without a guardian. The representative’s task is toensure that the child’s best interests are taken into account in different situations. TheFinnish Immigration Service will pay the representative’s fee.The representative uses the right of action that belongs to the guardian of a minorchild, helps the child with official matters or takes care of the child’s matters onhis/her behalf with the Finnish authorities. For example, the representative participatesin the child’s asylum interview, which is a part of the processing of his/her asylumapplication.The representative is not responsible for the daily maintenance, upbringing or othercare of the child. These matters are the responsibility of the reception centre.Services of asylum seekers in FinlandPeople applying for asylum in Finland have the right to get reception services whichsafeguard their necessary financial support and care. The reception centres operateunder the guidance of the Immigration Service and organise the necessary receptionservices. The reception services include accommodation, reception allowance orspending allowance, any necessary social and health services, interpretation andtranslation services as well as work and training activities.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g.for civic education or vocational training?The reception centres organise work and study activities for asylum seekers. They areobligatory. If an asylum seeker refuses to attend work and study activities, his/herfinancial support may be reduced. The work and study activities do not mean a paidjob outside the reception centre. Most often, the study activities are studies in theFinland Page 15Finnish or Swedish language. The work activities are organised by the receptioncentre, and the work is done at the reception centre. The work consists of everydaytasks such as maintaining the yard or cleaning. Before an asylum seeker’s work andstudy activities begin, the reception centre will make a personal work and studyactivity plan with him/her. In addition, each asylum seeker is required to take a basiccourse on the Finnish society, as a part of his/her work and study activities.Children who live in reception centres have the right to participate in basic education.The municipality in which the reception centre is located organises basic education forall children who live in that municipality and who are of compulsory school age. Themunicipality also organises pre-primary education for children who will reach thecompulsory school age in the coming year.An asylum seeker’s right to study outside reception centre is not restricted. Thus, anasylum seeker may apply for and accept a study place if this is not against the rulesand regulations of the educational institution in question. However, receiving a studyplace does not automatically mean that a residence permit is granted.If a person is granted a residence permit in Finland, he/she will become a residence ofa municipality. This means that he/she is entitled to municipal services, such as earlychildhood education and care, basic education, social welfare, health care and housing.Moreover, municipalities and Employment and Economic Development Offices arerequired to offer measures and services that promote and support integration. Thesemeasures include instruction in the Finnish or Swedish language, information aboutthe Finnish society and culture and opportunities of finding employment and pursuingeducation, especially in the initial period after their arrival in the country.9. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?o What are the conditions for the benefit payments?o How do the benefits relate to the average national income?Social security benefits for asylum seekersAccording to Act on Receiving Individuals Seeking International Protection(746/2011), an asylum seeker who has applied for asylum is entitled to receptionallowance or spending allowance. The allowance is paid until the asylum applicationhas been processed. An asylum seeker is not covered by the Finnish social securitysystem and therefore is not entitled to any other social security benefits.If an asylum seeker is unable to provide for himself/herself, he/she can apply forfinancial aid to cover living costs from the reception centre in which he/she isregistered as client. Section 19 of the Act on Receiving Individuals SeekingInternational Protection, prescribes that reception allowance is granted to provide anincome necessary to secure the fundamental basic needs required for decentexistence and promote independent living. Reception allowance is granted, if anasylum seeker is in need of support and cannot gain an income through work or someFinland Page 16other source or from private assets, or the seeker’s needs are not provided for byanother person with duty to maintain him/her.The basic component of the reception allowance covers clothing expenses, small-scale health care expenses, the costs of using local transport and telephone as well asother corresponding, food and everyday expenses of the individual and family whenthe reception centre does not provide meal service. The supplementary receptionallowance covers expenses caused by the special needs or circumstances of theindividual or family when these are deemed appropriate.The amount of the basic component of the reception allowance per month is:- EUR 312.23 for persons living alone and for single parents. If the receptioncentre offers meals, the allowance is EUR 91.52.- For other persons over 18 years EUR 263.78. If the reception centre offersmeals, the allowance is EUR 75.36.- For a child who lives with his/her parents EUR 199.18. If the reception centreoffers meals, the allowance is EUR 59.21.If the reception centre provides full board, which encompasses the expenses coveredby the basic and supplementary component of the reception allowance as meant bySection 19 as well as health care expenses that are not small-scale, anunaccompanied minor asylum seeker will be granted spending allowance instead ofthe reception allowance. The amount of spending allowance for an unaccompaniedminor who is under 16 years old is EUR 26.92 per month and EUR 48.44 for minorswho are 16 or 17 years old.Social security benefits for persons who reside in FinlandA person who has come to Finland as an asylum seeker and been granted asylum or aresidence permit on grounds of subsidiary or humanitarian protection or has beenaccorded refugee status, is covered, with certain exceptions, by the Finnish socialsecurity system, if the person intends to move permanently to Finland. If a person isgranted a residence permit in Finland, he/she is eligible for the same social securitybenefits and social and health services as other permanent residents.If a person enters Finland as a ‘quota refugee’, he/she is covered by the Finnishsocial security system as soon as he/she arrives to Finland. However, if a person hasbeen given a residence permit by virtue of the need for temporary protection or asimilar reason, he/she is not considered to be moving to Finland permanently and istherefore not covered by the Finnish social security system.When an asylum seeker is granted a residence permit, he/she becomes entitled tobenefits from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland and municipalities. Socialsecurity benefits payed by the Social Insurance Institution guarantee basicsubsistence in the event of unemployment, illness, and disability and during old ageas well as at the birth of a child or the loss of a provider.Finland Page 17There are some special requirements for eligibility to some social security benefits.For example to qualify for parental allowances, the parents must have lived inFinland for at least 180 days immediately before the baby’s expected date ofdelivery.In 2015, average taxable income in Finland was EUR 28,750 a year per incomerecipient (approx. 2,396/month). When comparing average income to allowancesgranted for asylum seekers, it must be taken into account, that asylum seekers areprovided at least accommodation and necessary social and health services free ofcharge.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country /region and do they need visas and what are the visa regulations?Yes. A family member needs a residence permit on the basis of family ties. A familymember must apply for a residence permit himself/herself.Finnish law defines the persons considered to be family members. The concept offamily is narrower in Finland than in many other countries. These are the familymembers of a Finnish citizen and a foreign national who is not an EU citizen:• a spouse• a registered partner• a cohabiting partner• a guardian of a child under 18 years of age• a childIn most cases, a family member must have secure means of support. ‘Secure means ofsupport’ means that a family member have sufficient funds to live in Finland. Incomecan come for example from employment, a private enterprise, assets or pensions. Therequired amount of income depends on the size of a family.Only family members of persons who have been granted asylum or selected as quotarefugees may apply for family reunification within three months without an incomerequirement, if the family ties existed before the asylum seeker came to Finland orbefore the quota refugee was selected for Finland’s refugee quota.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number ofevictions in 2015 / 2016 / 2017?o Who decides?The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) decides on refusals of entry and deportation.The Finnish Immigration Service operates under the Ministry of the Interior.Finland Page 18In 2015, the number of refusal of entry decisions was 7 524 and in 2016 it was 21,716.The total number of refusals of entry are made by the Finnish Immigration Service,Police and the Finnish Border Guard. The figure includes decisions made directly atthe external border when the person does not meet the entry requirements as well asthe decisions made within the country. The number is notably higher in 2016 whencompared with the previous years. The exceptionally high number of asylum seekerswho arrived in Finland in 2015 is clearly visible in the increased number of refusals ofentry. In 2016, a total of 28,208 asylum decisions was made. About a half of thedecisions were negative. A negative decision on asylum application includes aremoval decision. This is visible in the sharp increase of refusals of entry in 2016. Thenumber of deportation decisions in 2016 was 430 and in 2015 279. The most commongrounds for deportation is irregular residence in the country. Approximately one thirdof deportations were based on crime-related grounds.Statistics of removal from the countryThe Finnish Immigration Service Decisions1/2015 - 12/2015 In total 1,8971/2016 - 12/2016 In total 2,0311/2017 - 12/2017 In total 2,74912. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realizethe right to certain supports, including (according to UN Committee on theRights of the Child):o a guardian or representative,o the right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,o child-specific social, economic and educational rights?o Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?o Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?o Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?o Are there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); best practiceexamples?Finnish District Courts assign a representative to each asylum seeker who is youngerthan 18 and has arrived in Finland without a guardian. The representative’s task is toensure that the child’s best interests are taken into account in different situations. TheFinnish Immigration Service will pay the representative’s fee.The representative uses the right of action that belongs to the guardian of a minorchild, helps the child with official matters or takes care of the child’s matters on his orher behalf with the Finnish authorities. For example, the representative participates inthe child’s asylum interview which is a part of the processing of his or her asylumapplication.Finland Page 19The representative is not responsible for the daily maintenance, upbringing or othercare of the child. These matters are the responsibility of the reception centre.A person who is under the age of 18 and who has arrived in Finland alone to apply forasylum will be accommodated in a group home or a supported housing unit.Group homes are intended for children under 16 years of age. Supported housing unitsare for young people who are 16 or 17 years old. In group homes, some of theresidents may be over 16 years of age. Group homes and supported housing units aresmaller and have more employees per client than reception centres for adults andfamilies. They put an emphasis on care and upbringing.Minor asylum seekers are entitled to the same healthcare services as local people.They are also entitled to attend Finnish comprehensive school (from seven to sixteenyears of age). In many schools, children are placed in special preparatory classes forforeign children where they are first taught Finnish or Swedish before going into anormal school class.Aliens Act Section 6a regulates medical age assessment:(1) A medical age assessment may be carried out to establish the age of a sponsor oran alien applying for a residence permit if there are reasonable grounds for suspectingthe reliability of the information the person has given on his or her age.(2) The performance of an examination requires that the person to be tested has givenan informed consent in writing of his or her own volition. The written consent of his orher parent or guardian or other legal representative is also required.(3) Anyone who refuses to undergo an examination is treated as an adult if there are noreasonable grounds for refusal. A refusal to undergo an examination may not as suchconstitute grounds for rejecting an application for international protection.(4) Before obtaining consent, the applicant or sponsor and the applicant’s or sponsor’sparent, guardian or other legal representative shall be given information on theimportance of age assessment, the examination methods used, potential health effects,and the consequences of having and of refusing an examination. The information shallbe given in the native language of the applicant or sponsor and the applicant’s orsponsor’s parent, guardian or legal representative or in a language which he or shemay reasonably be expected to understand.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylumseeker / undocumented person, minor.Unfortunately it’s impossible to tell total costs per migrant per month. According toCentral Government Budget costs per asylum seeker in reception centre are estimatedto be 19 200 euros (per year) in 2018 and costs per minor person in a group home53 200 euros (per year) in 2018.14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation formigrants, asylum seekers (refugees, minors.)Finland Page 20Asylum seekers are accommodated at reception centres. The place where an asylum seekerstays depends on age, gender and other circumstances. Additionally, accommodation isorganised in a way that makes it possible for family members to live together in the sameplace if they want to. Persons under the age of 18 who arrive in Finland without a guardian areaccommodated at a group home or a supported housing unit.The reception services include accommodation, reception allowance or spending allowance,any necessary social and health services, interpretation and translation services as well as workand training activities. Also meals can be provided as part of the reception services.The first place where asylum seekers usually stay is called a transit centre. The transit centresare located near the service points of the Finnish Immigration Service that hold asyluminterviews. These centres are primarily meant for new asylum seekers who have just arrived inFinland. After an asylum seeker has had an asylum interview, he/she will be transferred toanother reception centre to wait for a decision.There are many reception centres of different types and sizes in different parts of Finland.Some reception centres are with catering, which means that the reception centre offers mealsto everyone who lives there. The other ones are with individual or shared kitchens, whereasylum seekers can cook their own meals.Reception centres are maintained by many operators: the Finnish Immigration Service, Finnishmunicipalities, organisations and companies. All reception centres offer the same receptionservices to the people who live there, and all reception centres operate according to the sameprinciples. The Finnish Immigration Service directs, plans and supervises the practicaloperations of all reception centres.The reception of asylum seekers is steered by the Finnish Act on the Reception of PersonsApplying for International Protection.15. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national / regional)? Financialsupport?Involvement of volunteers is mainly organised by NGOs, which provide different kind ofsupport for asylum seekers and refugees in Finland. This support is organised independentlyby NGOs. Finnish NGOs have both employees and volunteers who participate in supportingdifferent groups of people who need help.Finnish health care and social sector NGOs are mainly funded by the State. The State fundingis granted by The Funding Centre for Social and Health Organisations (STEA), which isstate-aid authority operating in connection with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.State funding for NGOs is the revenue of state-owned gaming company Veikkaus Oy. Therevenue of Veikkaus is approximately one billion euros per year which is directed to NGOs.In addition, municipalities may grant funding to NGOs.GermanyGermany Page 2– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38OverviewYou see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use thebutton 'Print' at the end of this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName German BundestagResponsable Nicole TepasseE-Mail bspc@bundestag.de2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionInsert total number (e.g. total = 1700000)total 83 million inhabitantsfemale 41,83 millionwith migration backround 18.6 million with a migrant background (22.5 %)living in urban areas 75 per cent2a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding thepopulation structure in your region / countryInsert percentageNo answer18-25No answerhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 1 von 12Germany Page 3– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*3826-40No answer41-50No answer51-65No answer66+No answer2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionOtherNo answer2b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20years concerning demographic development?80,01 million inhabitants3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does animmigration law exist?☒ Yes, significant rules for immigration exist.☒ Exeptions/Explanation: For third country nationals (i.e. not EU citizens) the legal foundations ofthe Residence Act set forth the possibilities for labour/education, refugee and family migration.Of special significance here is the fact that the residence permits – which are initially temporary– open up the possibility of permanent residence. The provisions of the Residence Act thuscontain various different “Immigration opportunities” which can ultimately lead to a permanentand unconditional right of residence (settlement permit under Section 9 Residence Act and EUpermanent residence status under Section 9a Residence Act). The prerequisite for this change ofstatus and for permanent and unconditional immigration is successful economic and socialhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 2 von 12Germany Page 4– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38integration. The Residence Act accordingly makes the improved residence permit contingent oncertain integration expectations (e.g. language skills, economic independence) being met, cf.Sections 9 (2-4), 9a (2) Residence Act. The five years of prior residence usually also required nowalso applies as a general rule to asylum seekers and refugees since the amendments introducedby the Integration Act of August 2016 (previously three years of prior residence), and furthermoreonly if integration requirements are met, Section 26 (3) sentence 1 Residence Act.3a. What are the significant rules?For third country nationals (i.e. not EU citizens) the legal foundations of the Residence Act set forththe possibilities for labour/education, refugee and family migration. Of special significance here isthe fact that the residence permits – which are initially temporary – open up the possibility ofpermanent residence. The provisions of the Residence Act thus contain various different“immigration opportunities” which can ultimately lead to a permanent and unconditional right ofresidence (settlement permit under Section 9 Residence Act and EU permanent residence statusunder Section 9a Residence Act). The prerequisite for this change of status and for permanent andunconditional immigration is successful economic and social integration. The Residence Actaccordingly makes the improved residence permit contingent on certain integration expectations(e.g. language skills, economic independence) being met, cf. Sections 9 (2-4), 9a (2) Residence Act.The five years of prior residence usually also required now also applies as a general rule to asylumseekers and refugees since the amendments introduced by the Integration Act of August 2016(previously three years of prior residence), and furthermore only if integration requirements aremet, Section 26 (3) sentence 1 Residence Act.3b. What is the immigration law?No answer4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?A distinction must be made between protection for asylum seekers under international and nationallaw. International protection arises from the EU Qualification Directive (Directive 2011/95/EU) andencompasses the protection status set forth therein for refugees in the meaning of the GenevaConvention on Refugees (GRC) and that of people eligible for international subsidiary protection.These two categories have been integrated into the Asylum Act: Section 3 Asylum Act governs therecognition of refugee status, Section 4 Asylum Act governs international subsidiary protection.Refugee status is special in that it originates from the GRC and as such from internationalhumanitarian law. As a result of the incorporation of the “Geneva refugee” into the EU QualificationDirective, this status now comes under the (application) precedence of EU law over national law.National protection includes the constitutional protection afforded to those eligible for asylumhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 3 von 12Germany Page 5– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38under Article 16a (1) of the Basic Law and protection against deportation under Section 60 (5, 7)Residence Act. In terms of their content, the protection categories under asylum law aim on the onehand to provide protection from persecution (“primary” protection) and on the other to providesubsidiary protection. Both the right to asylum emanating from Article 16a (1) Basic Law andrefugee status under Section 3 (1) Asylum Act presuppose acts of persecution linked to particularcharacteristics. If there is no persecution, it may be possible to provide subsidiary (human rights)protection. The international subsidiary protection based on the EU Qualifications Directivestipulates that the foreigner must face the threat of “serious harm” for instance “by reason ofindiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict” pursuant to Section4 (1) sentence 2 no. 3 Asylum Act (i.e. civil war refugees). The national deportation bans, whichrefer to the European Convention on Human Rights or which may arise due to a substantial concretedanger to life, limb or liberty (Section 60 (5, 7) Residence Act), also form part of subsidiaryprotection.5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒ Yes The Nationality Act contains provisions governing the acquisition and loss of Germancitizenship. As a general rule, under these provisions multiple citizenship should be avoided.There are, however, exemptions from this principle set out in the Nationality Act which makedual citizenship possible. Here one must distinguish between acquisition of nationality by birth inGermany (ius soli), the naturalisation of foreigners, and the acquisition of a foreign nationality byGermans. If both parents are foreigners, the child acquires German citizenship by virtue of beingborn in Germany (ius soli) if a parent has had his or her lawful habitual residence in Germany foreight years and the same parent has a permanent residence right at the time of the birth, Section4 (3) Nationality Act. The acquisition of German nationality by birth does not require the foreignnationality to be relinquished. To avoid multiple citizenship, however, this dual citizenship shouldnot be permanent. Under the “opting procedure” (Section 29 Nationality Act) once the childreaches the age of 21, he or she must decide between German or foreign citizenship (duty toopt). The duty to opt for one nationality does not apply to the children of nationals from EUMember States and Switzerland. For children who have grown up in Germany, exemptions havealso been in place since late 2014 – they can keep their German citizenship in addition to theirforeign citizenship if they were habitually resident in Germany for a period of eight years orattended school in Germany for six years or have a German school-leaving qualification orvocational qualification. In the case of naturalisation, the previous nationality must generally berelinquished, i.e. for naturalisation based on legal entitlement and for discretionarynaturalisation. There are exemptions for nationals of EU Member States and Switzerland, forolder people and for asylum seekers and recognized refugees, however. Furthermore, multiplecitizenship is accepted under Section 12 Nationality Act in the case of naturalisation if the law ofthe foreign state does not provide for its citizens relinquishing their citizenship, the foreign stateregularly refuses to release people from citizenship or makes it dependent on conditions whichcannot be met or reasonably expected be met or if the loss of foreign citizenship would entailsubstantial disadvantages. In the scope of discretionary naturalisation, multiple citizenship mayhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 4 von 12Germany Page 6– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38also be accepted if there is a special public interest in naturalisation (e.g. for athletes).6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Please explain the For third country nationals coming under the scope of the Residence Act,conditions to obtain a there are no uniform provisions for labour market access. Individually, thiswork permit. depends on whether the respective residence permit provides access to thelabour market. Some residence permits already legally authorise the holderto work, for instance the settlement permit (Section 9 (1) sentence 2Residence Act), the temporary residence permit granted on family grounds(Section 27 (5) Residence Act) or the temporary residence permit forrecognised asylum seekers, refugees or persons eligible for internationalsubsidiary protection Section 25 (1) sentence 4, (2) sentence 2 ResidenceAct). For other residence permits (for instance, the temporary residencepermit for the purpose of economic activity under Section 18 Residence Act)permission from the foreigners authority is required together with theapproval of the Federal Employment Agency. The Federal EmploymentAgency must verify whether the employment of foreigners would haveadverse impacts on the labour market (labour market assessment), whetherGerman or other privileged foreigners are available (priority assessment) andwhether the foreign worker is to be employed at less favourable conditionsthan comparable German workers (assessment of working conditions).Furthermore, special provisions apply to asylum seekers who do not have aresidence permit, Section 4 (1) Residence Act, but “only” temporarypermission to stay. As a general rule, asylum seekers can be allowed to workafter three months of permission to stay. This does not apply to asylumseekers from safe countries of origin, however. Asylum seekers from safecountries of origin are prohibited from working.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers,refugees) exist?The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) organises different advice services andprogrammes. This includes the general Information Service for migration-related questions (generaltelephone advice, but no individual legal advice) as well as specific integration advice services foradult immigrants (e.g. on integration courses, childcare services, housing, health, parenting) andspecific integration advice services for young people (aged 27 or younger) by the youth migrationservices (e.g. on the school and education system, career planning, using computers and Germanlanguage-learning programmes). BAMF has entrusted various different private institutions (e.g. non-statutory welfare associations) with providing specific integration advice. No independent andindividual legal advice is provided in the asylum procedure. There is, however, a three-month pilotproject on “asylum procedure advice” that should be referred to here, which was conducted inhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 5 von 12Germany Page 7– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38spring 2017. The evaluation report by BAMF and UNHCR has not been published to date.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses orcourses e.g. for civic education or vocational training?☒ Yes, language courses are provided.☒ Yes, courses for civic education are provided.☒ Yes, vocational training is provided.8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒ Other: Foreigners with a temporary residence permit granted for the purposes of economicactivity, family reunion or humanitarian reasons are entitled to attend an integration courseonce. Asylum seekers not in possession of a temporary residence permit prior to completion ofthe asylum procedure may also be admitted provided there are capacities available. This onlyapplies to asylum seekers with “good prospects of staying”, so foreigners who can be expected tobe granted lawful and permanent residence. This in turn means asylum seekers from safecountries of origin are excluded from access to integration courses. An obligation to attend anintegration course exists if the person entitled cannot at least communicate in simple German orif the person was obligated to attend in the scope of claiming benefits or if there is a specialneed for integration. Foreigners who are completing vocational or other training on Germanterritory, who can prove participation in comparable educational programmes on Germanterritory or who are unable or cannot reasonably be expected to attend on a sustained basis areexempt from the obligation to attend. Asylum seekers with good prospects of remaining inGermany may also be obliged to attend an integration course if they are able to work and are notin gainful employment, are 18 or over and are no longer obliged to attend full-time education,Section 5b (1) Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Failure to meet these obligations leads to benefitcuts, Section 5b (2) Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. A cost contribution is charged for attendance inline with the stipulations of Ordinance on Integration Courses. Upon application, people eligibleto attend who are claiming certain benefits are exempt from the costs. Job-related Germanlanguage training Under Section 45a (1) Residence Act, labour market integration can besupported by job-related German language training. Asylum seekers without good prospects ofstaying in Germany are excluded from this, especially asylum seekers from safe countries oforigin. Foreigners can only be required to attend this training if they are claiming certainbenefits. The Ordinance on German Language Training sets forth the criteria for determining whois eligible to attend. Work opportunities Under Section 5a (1) Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, therelevant authorities can assign work opportunities provided by the labour market programme“refugee integration measures” to asylum seekers “to activate them”. Only asylum seekers whoare capable of work and not in gainful employment, age 18 and over and no longer subject tofull-time compulsory schooling can be assigned such opportunities. It is not possible for workopportunities to be assigned to asylum seekers from safe countries of origin. In principle,assigned work opportunities must be taken, failure to comply with this obligation leads to benefithttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 6 von 12Germany Page 8– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38cuts, Section 5a (2, 3) Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.8b. Are the courses free of charge?☒ Special conditions/Exeptions: A cost contribution is charged for attendance in line with thestipulations of Ordinance on Integration Courses. Upon application, people eligible to attend whoare claiming certain benefits are exempt from the costs.8c. Are there obligatory courses?☒ Only for the following: An obligation to attend an integration course exists if the person entitledcannot at least communicate in simple German or if the person was obligated to attend in thescope of claiming benefits or if there is a special need for integration. Foreigners who arecompleting vocational or other training on German territory, who can prove participation incomparable educational programmes on German territory or who are unable or cannot reasonablybe expected to attend on a sustained basis are exempt from the obligation to attend. Asylumseekers with good prospects of remaining in Germany may also be obliged to attend anintegration course if they are able to work and are not in gainful employment, are 18 or over andare no longer obliged to attend full-time education, Section 5b (1) Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.Failure to meet these obligations leads to benefit cuts, Section 5b (2) Asylum Seekers BenefitsAct.9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?If assistance is required, foreigners capable of work are fundamentally entitled to basic socialsecurity benefits under Book II of the Social Code. These benefits cover different needs, basic needs(in the amount of approximately EUR 400 for single adults per month), the cost ofaccommodation/heating and other additional needs (e.g. education and participation packages forchildren, young people and young adults). Compared to this, the average gross income fromemployment in 2016 for single-person households was EUR 2624 per month (= EUR 2013 in netincome).Exemptions from the entitlement to basic social security benefits apply to EU citizens not inemployment not previously employed in the Federal Republic in the first five years of living inGermany. In these cases, the people in question do not receive any basic social security benefits butcan receive bridging benefits until they leave the country. Other exemptions apply to foreigners whocome under the scope of the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. This includes in particular asylumseekers, but also foreigners, who are enforceably required to leave the country but who have beengranted temporary leave to remain as well as foreigners with special humanitarian residencepermits. The benefits are provided in the first 15 months of their stay as basic social securitybenefits in the form of material and/or cash benefits. The benefit entitlements are based on BookXII of the Social Code.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 7 von 12Germany Page 9– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*389a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?see answer to question 9.9b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?No answer10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒ Yes10a. Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence inyour country / region?The basic prerequisites for family members joining a foreigner include inter alia that the foreigner,to whom the family member wishes to move (principle person entitled), must have a certainresidence permit (e.g. a temporary residence permit) and sufficient living space must be available,Section 29 (1) Residence Act. Spousal reunion is not permitted in cases of “sham” or “forced”marriage. As a general rule, spouses must be able to communicate in simple German, Section 30 (1)no. 2 Residence Act. Minor unmarried children are inter alia entitled to be granted a temporaryresidence permit for the purposes of family reunion if both parents or the parent with sole custodyhave a temporary residence permit. In cases of special hardship, it is also possible for other familymembers to be given leave to join the foreigner in question.There is fundamentally an entitlement for spouses, unmarried minor children and the parents ofminor children to join recognised asylum seekers and refugees. For spouses and/or unmarried minorchildren, sufficient living space and sufficient means to support oneself do not have to be proven ifthe application for subsequent immigration by dependents is lodged within three months after finaland binding recognition of the right to asylum or refugee status of the individual to whom the familyis moving and if the reunification of the family is not possible in a third country the foreigner or hisfamily members have a special connection to.Subsequent immigration of family members to join persons eligible for international subsidiaryprotection was first of all deemed equal to subsequent immigration of family members joiningrefugees and asylum seekers in 2015. With the Act introducing expedited asylum procedures, whichentered into force on 17 March 2016, however, subsequent immigration of family members to joinpersons eligible for international subsidiary protection was suspended for a period of two years.From a regulatory perspective, the suspension of family reunion was carried out by means of atransitional provision in Section 104 (13) Residence Act. This sets forth that subsequent immigrationof dependents to join persons eligible for international subsidiary protection who received atemporary residence permit after 17 March 2016 will not be granted before 16.3.2018. Thesuspension of subsequent immigration of family members also applies to minor children. On 1https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 8 von 12Germany Page 10– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38February 2018 the Bundestag decided to extend the suspension of subsequent immigration of familymembers to join persons eligible for international subsidiary protection until the entry into force ofan intended new provision.10b. Do families need visas for family-reunifications?☒ Yes10c. What are the visa regulations for family-reunifictaions?Family members entitled to immigrate subsequently require a visa to enter Germany, Section 6 (3)Residence Act. The visa is granted by the relevant mission abroad with the involvement of theforeigners authority.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: 20,862Evictions in 2016: 25,375Evictions in 2017: 23,96611a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒ Other Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (lower authority to the ministry of interior)12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or Unaccompanied foreign minors (UFM) come under the scope of child andrepresentative youth welfare services under Book VIII of the Social Code. The Youth WelfareOffice is obligated to take unaccompanied foreign minors into its care. In thescope of this provisional care of the minors, the Youth Welfare Office has thepower to temporarily house the unaccompanied foreign minor with a suitableperson, at a suitable institution or in another form of housing. During theperiod of provisional care the Youth Welfare Office must ensure thewellbeing of the unaccompanied foreign minor and that necessary livingexpenses and health care are provided. During this phase of the procedure(initial screening) inter alia the age of the UFM is determined (by simple ageestimation or physical examination, possibly by radiological examination ofthe carpus, teeth or collar bone). It is also clarified whether the UFM hasrelatives in Germany. After the further assignment of the UFM in the scope ofhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 9 von 12Germany Page 11– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38a nationwide assignment procedure, if applicable, the minor is then placed inregular care. The Youth Welfare Office now in charge organisesaccommodation with a suitable person, at a suitable institution or in anotherform of housing.During the preliminary care phase, the Youth Welfare Office in charge isauthorised and obliged to represent the UFM. Afterwards, a legal guardian orcarer must be appointed by the Family Court as soon as possible.As part of the placement in regular care, a clearing procedure is conducted.This involves identifying the need for child-raising assistance or other follow-up measures (possibility of reuniting the family, school attendance, training,treatment needs, residence law issues).the right to After completion of the clearing procedure, the Youth Welfare Office isaccommodation in a obliged to provide suitable accommodation for the UFM, for instance bydedicated home or in placing him or her with a host or foster family, in a children’s home, ina foster family social-worker supported or supervised housing or in the intensive individualcare of a social worker.12a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /return?☒ Yes The resettlement programme offers long-term residency in Germany to refugees who havefled their home countries. All refugees in this programme, known as "resettlement refugees",have been registered and recognized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner forRefugees. The UNHCR checks whether it is possible for applicants to return to their home countryor settle in the first country that admitted them, or whether their only hope for the future is tobe resettled in another country. In Germany, resettlement refugees are issued a residence permitpursuant to Section 23 (2) of the Residence Act. This permit, granted on humanitarian grounds,entitles holders to pursue any kind of paid employment immediately. They are also entitled toclaim social insurance benefits in accordance with the Social Code Books II and XII(unemployment benefits), including suitable accommodation. Social insurance benefits are paiduntil recipients are able to support themselves through their own employment. They are alsoentitled to take part in integration courses; if a need for integration is identified, they may berequired by a foreigners authority or institutions providing basic security benefits for job seekersto take an integration course. Federally funded migration advising is also available. Socialworkers provided by the states also help resettlement refugees look for housing and jobs, in theirinteractions with government agencies, and with other aspects of daily life.12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?No answerhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 10 von 12Germany Page 12– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*3812c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?☒ Yes The age of the UFM is determined by simple age estimation or physical examination, possiblyby radiological examination of the carpus, teeth or collar bone.12d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors(school, youth welfare); best practice examples?No answer12e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practiceexamples?No answer13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per asylum seeker 670per minor In addition to this, the report of the Federal Government on the situation ofunaccompanied foreign minors in Germany published in March 2017 statesthat the accommodation and educational and treatment benefits providedare the key cost factors in caring for UFMs. Depending on the type ofaccommodation, educational setting and health costs, the costs were said tovary a great deal. According to the information provided by the federalstates, for instance, the costs ranged from EUR 90 per day to EUR 205 perday. According to the municipalities, the average costs ranged from EUR 67to EUR 350 per day.Currency Euro14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for asylum seekers Special provisions apply for the accommodation of unaccompanied foreignminors and for the accommodation of asylum seekers. Asylum seekers aredistributed across the federal states based on set quotas and housed –decentrally – in federal state facilities. Asylum seekers are first housed atreception facilities. As a general principle, the asylum seekers are obliged tolive at the reception facilities for up to six weeks, or in the longest case forup to six months. There is also the possibility of creating special receptionfacilities, where, for instance, expedited asylum procedures take place forasylum seekers from safe countries of origin. Following accommodation at ahttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 11 von 12Germany Page 13– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 27.04.18, 12*38reception facility, the asylum seekers are assigned within the respectivefederal state and usually housed in collective accommodation.15a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒ Other The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees promotes volunteering, for instance, throughits support of integration projects (for instance venues for intercultural exchange), by trainingvolunteers in integration work and funding migrant organisations (for instance leisure and sportsclubs). One special funding programme is directed at volunteering agencies testing models toinvolve refugees themselves in volunteer work. The expansion of the Federal Voluntary Service toinclude a special service for refugee-related projects also heads in this direction. In this contextit is not just volunteer work for refugees but also by refugees that is being promoted.15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?No answerPrintBack Pause the interview NextLeave and delete my dataAdministrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 94% completedhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=WD0HUOQJMYPT&rnd=UYVV Seite 12 von 12HamburgHamburg Page 2– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(15OverviewYou see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use the button 'Print' at the endof this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName Hamburgische BürgerschaftResponsable Luisa WellhausenE-Mail luisa.wellhausen@bk.hamburg.de2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure of yourcountry / regiontotal 1.860.759female 945.440with migration backround 631.2462a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding the population structurein your region / countryfemale 8with migration 8backroundtotal 1618-25female 5with migration 5backroundtotal 926-40female 12with migration 9backroundtotal 2441-50female 7with migration 5backroundtotal 1551-65female 9with migration 5https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=N1LS5XEO6382&rnd=YJJP Seite 1 von 5Hamburg Page 3– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(15backroundtotal 1866+female 10with migration 3backroundtotal 172. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure of yourcountry / regionOtherNo answer2b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20 yearsconcerning demographic development?According to a prognosis of the dept. for statistics made in thebeginning of 2017 ("Variante W2-A = Aktualisierung der13. Koordinierten Bevölkerungsvorausberechnung des Bundes und der Länder") the number of citizes in 2035 will be157.000 higher than 2015 (2035: 1,944 Mio. / 2017: 1,787 Mio.). More informations:https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Bevoelkerung/VorausberechnungBevoelkerung/BevoelkerungBundeslaender2060_Aktualisiert_5124207179005.xlsx.Those numbers are delivered by the dept. for statistics, while the numbers provided above (Question 2 and 2a) aretaken from the registration office. They've differed by 50.000 in 2016.3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration law exist?☒See answer of national parliament.3a. What are the significant rules?No answer3b. What is the immigration law?No answer4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?See answer of national parliament5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒See answer of national parliament.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?See answer of national parliament7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?The following centers provide aid for foreigners:Regional Integrationcenters provide aid for adult immigrants. The Refugeecenter Hamburg provides services for childrenwithout documents. The Amira Consultation helps are victims of discimination. The Rom and Cinti Union e.V. provideshelp for Roma and sinti, the Turkish Community Hamurg is helping immigrants with the right to stay, the HamburgWelcome Center is open for all newcomers to the city of Hamburg and gives information about the city itself but alsoabout questions like Housing, Schools, labour market social security system....)The program W.I.R(work and integration for refugees)was founded to help refugees in a holistic way. Its major concern is to prepare and integrate the refugees for and in thehttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=N1LS5XEO6382&rnd=YJJP Seite 2 von 5Hamburg Page 4– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(15labour market.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g. forcivic education or vocational training?☒Yes, language courses are provided.☒Yes, courses for civic education are provided.☒Yes, vocational training is provided.8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒Other: All foreigners, Citizens with migration background, Refugees, Asylum seekers8b. Are the courses free of charge?☒Yes8c. Are there obligatory courses?☒No9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?See answer of national parliament9a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?See answer of national parliament9b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?See answer of national parliament.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒See answer of national parliament.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: See answer of national parliamentEvictions in 2016: See answer of national parliamentEvictions in 2017: See answer of national parliament11a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒See answer of national parliament.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or See answer of national parliament.representativethe right to See answer of national parliament.accommodation in adedicated home or ina foster familychild-specific social, See answer of national parliament.economic andeducational rightshttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=N1LS5XEO6382&rnd=YJJP Seite 3 von 5Hamburg Page 5– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(1512a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?☒See answer of national parliament.12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?☒See answer of national parliament.12c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?☒See answer of national parliament.12d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors (school, youthwelfare); best practice examples?☒See answer of national parliament.12e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practice examples?See answer of national parliament.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per migrant See answer of national parliament.per asylum seeker See answer of national parliament.per undocumented See answer of national parliament.personper minor See answer of national parliament.Currency See answer of national parliament.14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for asylum seekers Arriving asylum seekers are asked to go to a arrival center where they're registered and wherethe decision will be made if they're staying in Hamburg or sent to another state. Afterwards theasylum seekers are relocated to one of the 14 reception centers where currently 4000 asylumseekers are accommodated. People live in containers with community spaces. Everybody getstheir own place to sleep, food, clothes, medical care and more standard benefits according tothe Law: § 3 Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (AsylbLG). The social management of the center'soperator are responsible for care and councils, one social manager is responsible for 65 asylumseekers. Next to a basic medical care, asylum seekers are provided with a social security cardthat gives them access to all medical services included in the national health insurance. Furtherbasic language skills, council for first orientation and child care are offered.for refugees Generally after sic months in the reception center, refugees are brought to successiveaccommodations (§ 53 Asylgesetz). 51% of the inhabitants of these successive accommodationslive in pavillion villages, 13% are accomondated in social housing and 36% live in communitylodgings with shared kitchens and shared sanitation. Thoses inhabitants recieve a monthlyammount of money and are responsable for their own supplies. The refugees are entitled toeducation in public schools and kindergardens and integration and language classes areprovided. In January 2018 Hamburg holds 122 successive accomodation centers for about 31.800people.15a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒Regional15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?Volunteers are encouraged by the state and supported through civil society. Responsable for the support is the "ForumFlüchtlingshilfe" amongst others.Printhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=N1LS5XEO6382&rnd=YJJP Seite 4 von 5Hamburg Page 6– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 13(15Back Pause the interview NextLeave and delete my dataAdministrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 91% completedhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=N1LS5XEO6382&rnd=YJJP Seite 5 von 5LatviaLatvia Page 2No. 21 Riga, Mar c h, 2018Mr Valerijus SimulikPresident of the Baltic AssemblyMr Jānis VucānsVice-President of the Baltic AssemblyMr Aadu MustVice-President of the Baltic AssemblySecretariat of the Baltic AssemblyCitadeles Street 2-616Riga, LV-1010Distinguished Members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly,It is my honour to reply to your letter No. 1/0218-10 of 2 February 2018 concerningquestions by the Working Group on Migration and Integration of the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference.Please find attached answers to the questions submitted by the respective line ministries ofthe Republic of Latvia.Enclosed: Annex on 12 (twelve) pages.Yours sincerely,Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars RinkēvičsLatvia Page 3AnnexAnswers to the Questions by the Working Group on Migration and Integration of theBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference1. Country.Latvia.2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure of yourcountry / region regarding the people with migration background and age structure.According to the data provided by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB), in 2016 therewere 8 345 immigrants registered in Latvia. The majority of them lives in Riga (3 817) and itssuburbs (1 306), the rest – in Latgale region (1 015, mostly in cities – Daugavpils and Rēzekne), inKurzeme region (859, mostly in Ventspils), in Zemgale region – 780 (mostly in Jelgava), inVidzeme region (568, mostly in Jūrmala).Out of 8 345 immigrants living in Latvia, 4 740 are men, but 3 605 – women.The division of immigrants in Latvia according to the selected age categories: 1) 0-18 (1800persons), 2) 18-25 (616 persons), 3) 25-40 (3396 persons), 4) 40-50 (1068 persons), 5) 50-65(1099 persons), 6) 65+ (366 persons).Source (CSB):http://data.csb.gov.lv/pxweb/en/Sociala/Sociala__ikgad__iedz__migr/?tablelist=true&rxid=cdThe overall population of Latvia as of February 2018 is 1 928 600 inhabitants.Source (CSB):http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/statistikas-temas/population-key-indicators-30624.html3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E.g. does an immigration law exist?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorSignificant rules of immigration in Latvia that concern entry of foreigners, residence, transit andexit are established by Immigration Law and subordinate regulations (e.g., the Regulation of theCabinet of Ministers No. 564 of 21 June 2010 “Regulations Regarding Residence Permits”).The Immigration Law was adopted on 31 October 2002; latest amendments were made on22 November 2017.Provisions regarding the rights of persons to receive asylum, acquire refugee or alternative status(subsidiary protection) or receive temporary protection in Latvia are stipulated by the AsylumLaw which was adopted on 17 December 2015; latest amendments were made on 20 April 2017.4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorAccording to the Asylum Law an asylum seeker is a third-country national or a stateless person,who in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Asylum Law has expressed a wish toacquire refugee or alternative status at the border crossing point before entering the Republic ofLatvia or when already in the territory of the Republic of Latvia, until the moment whenadministrative proceedings regarding the person’s application for granting refugee or alternativestatus have ended.For refugee status may apply: 1) a third-country national who on the basis of justified fear frompersecution due to his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a specific social group orhis or her political views is located outside the country where he or she is a national, and is unable1Latvia Page 4or due to such fear does not wish to accept the protection of the country where he or she is anational, or 2) a stateless person, who being outside his former country of permanent residence isunable or unwilling to return there due to the same reasons and to whom respective conditionswhen refugee status is not granted do not apply. A person may not apply for refugee status if he orshe is a national of more than one country and does not use legal protection in any of the countriesof his or her citizenship without justified reason. The country of citizenship of a person shall beeach country of which the person is a citizen.A third-country national or a stateless person, who cannot be granted refugee status and to whomconditions when alternative status is not granted do not apply, may apply for alternative status ifthere is a reason to believe that he or she may be exposed to serious harm after return to thecountry of origin thereof and due to this reason is unable or does not wish to accept the protectionof the above-mentioned country. A person may not apply for alternative status if he or she is acitizen of more than one country and does not use legal protection in any of the countries of his orher citizenship without justified reason.5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorLatvia allows dual citizenship. According to the Citizenship Law (Article 9), dual citizenship maybe acquired only if a person has citizenship of another Member State of the European Union,Member State of the European Free Trade Association, Member State of the North Atlantic TreatyOrganisation, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, New Zealand orcitizenship of such country with which the Republic of Latvia has entered into an agreementregarding recognition of dual citizenship, or citizenship of a country previously not referred to - ifan authorisation of the Cabinet of Ministers has been received.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorForeigners can be employed only in cases that are stated in normative acts and if they havereceived a visa with the permission to employment or a residence permit with the permission toemployment. The permission to employment in EU is granted according to the procedure,prescribed by the Directive 2011/98/EU.The permission to employment in Latvia is granted also by the Office of Citizenship andMigration Affairs (OCMA) for the period that corresponds to person’s visa or residence permit’sexpiration date. The general procedure requires an employer to publish a vacancy that shall beaccessible to residents of Latvia and other EU/EEA countries before a third-country citizen isemployed for the vacancy. The education of a third-country citizen shall correspond to person’sfuture position in the enterprise or the person has to have at least three years of experience in therespective field.In accordance with the Immigration Law of Latvia, an asylum seeker has the permission toemployment without restrictions if he or she has an identification document of an asylum seekerand has not received a decision of OCMA to grant or refuse the refugee or alternative status withinsix months after submitting the application. The permission to employment shall remain in forceuntil the moment when the final decision to grant or refuse the refugee or alternative status hasentered into effect and is no longer disputable. A remark regarding the permission to work has tobe made by the State Border Guard official in the identification document of an asylum seeker.A person who has received the refugee or alternative satus shall be granted the permission toemployment without restrictions automatically after receiving the residence permit of Latvia. Thisrule applies to the family members as well. Residence permits are issued by OCMA.2Latvia Page 57. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorA foreigner is entitled to receive state-guaranteed legal assistance in certain cases prescribed in theState Ensured Legal Aid Law. The Legal Aid Administration, which operates under the Ministryof Justice, is responsible for providing the assistance.According to the Immigration Law, a foreigner has the right to legal aid ensured by the state in thecase and amount laid down in the State Ensured Legal Aid Law, if:- the person does not have sufficient resources, is residing in the Republic of Latvia, and theexecution of voluntary return decision or removal order issued with regard to the person issuspended;- the person has been detained in cases and according to the procedures laid down in this Lawand is residing in the Republic of Latvia in specially equipped premises or accommodationcentre.According to Article 11 of the Asylum Law, an asylum seeker has the right to:- invite a person for the receipt of legal aid using his or her own funds;- receive state ensured legal aid in the amount laid down in the laws and regulations, whenappealing the decision of the State Border Guard on registration of the asylum seeker withthe unit of the State Border Guard or to detain the asylum seeker to the city (district) court;- receive state ensured legal aid in the amount specified in laws and regulations, appealing tothe District Administrative Court the decision of an official authorised by the OCMA toleave the application without examination, to refuse to grant refugee or alternative status, totransfer the asylum seeker to the responsible Member State, which will examine theapplication in accordance with Regulation No 604/2013, to discontinue examination of theapplication, to refuse to resume examination of the application, and to refuse to disburse thesubsistence and daily allowance, if the asylum seeker does not have sufficient resources inorder to invite a person for receipt of legal aid.During the detention process the Latvian Centre for Human Rights monitors human rights,provides protection of interests and provides legal assistance on human rights issues, includingrepresentation of clients in court.On 12 January 2011, Latvia State Border Guard and the representative of Baltic and NordicRegional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (hereinafter - UNHCR)signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the promotion of mutual cooperation. Under theterms of the agreement the UNHCR can observe how the State Border Guard ensures the rights ofpersons in need of international protection, including the entry of these persons into the Republicof Latvia, ensuring their rights regarding access to the national asylum procedure, the conditionsfor the accommodation of asylum seekers, the possibility of using voluntary returns to the countryof origin and the expulsion of persons in the case of refusal of international protection.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g. forcivic education or vocational training?• Who is allowed to participate?• Are they free of charge?• Are there obligatory ones?Answer prepared by the Ministry of Education and ScienceLatvian Language Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Education and Science, has beeninvolved in the implementation of two projects with the aim to provide Latvian language learningpossibilities for asylums seekers, refugees, persons with alternative status and third countrycitizens:3Latvia Page 61. From February 2016 to December 2017 – Project “Primary language learning for asylumseekers” (No. LVA/PMIF/2016/2) by Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund – Latvianlanguage courses provided for 565 asylum seekers, including children;2. From November 2016 to December 2018 – Project “Latvian language learning programme tofacilitate inclusion of third country citizens into the labour market” (No. PMIF/6/2016/1/03)by Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund – until December 2017 Latvian languagescourses were provided for 316 third country citizens, refugees and persons with alternativestatus. Currently there are 90 persons who are still learning Latvian within the margins of theProject.Latvian language courses are not mandatory, however in accordance with the Immigration Law(Article 24) in order for a person to be able to receive Permanent Residence Permit, the person hasto prove Latvian language knowledge at A2 level.Latvian language courses are free of charge.Answer prepared by the Ministry of CultureMinistry of Culture has provided special courses for asylum seekers (persons in need ofinternational protection), such as – cultural orientation and integration course “Get to KnowLatvia” (20 academic hours) and Latvian language courses (at least 80 academic hours).There are also Latvian language courses available for third country nationals. Within two years(from December 2016 till December 2018) 1040 third country nationals will be able to learnLatvian during these language courses (at least 120 hours). Integration courses for third countrynationals are available for 960 participants from June 2017 till the end of December 2018.All of these courses are free of charge and are not obligatory.Answer prepared by the Ministry of WelfareStarting from spring 2016, the Society Integration Fund is responsible for a social worker andsocial mentor service for asylum seekers as well as for refugees and persons with alternativestatus. A social worker (together with asylum seeker and social mentor) develops individualsocial-economic integration plan for each asylum seeker identifying individual needs and futureactions to promote the social-economic integration of a person. A social mentor assists during theimplementation of social-economic integration plan, ensuring communication with otherinstitutions. After granting of refugee or alternative status, a person continues to implement themeasures included in the integration plan, such as going to the State Employment Agency(hereinafter – SEA) for receiving employment services, learning the state language, and providessupport in finding place of living, communication with various institutions and everydaysituations.Education and integration activities for asylum seekers and the beneficiaries of internationalprotection in Latvian are provided in two stages. Immediately after their arrival in the AsylumSeekers Accommodation Centre Mucenieki, asylum seekers start to learn the Latvian language atprimary level.The second stage of language learning starts at the SEA when those who have gained the refugeestatus or alternative status are registered as unemployed persons. The SEA provides opportunity toparticipate in three language courses in one year period, receiving financial support in an amountof 5 EUR per training day. According to recent changes, each language level within languagecourses without intermediary language has been divided into two sublevels, ensuring a moregradual language acquisition. The Latvian language training is also available within projects co-funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. The Riga City Council supports theLatvian language courses for the residents of Riga free of charge.4Latvia Page 7The Official Language Proficiency Certificate (hereinafter – certificate) proving the officiallanguage proficiency level in accordance with the Common European Framework of Referencefor Languages is accessible also for any person having refugee or alternative status aftercompleting language courses. The certificate is issued by the National Centre for Education.Children continue to learn the language at school. Education for child asylum seekers and refugeechildren, like for all other children, is provided and financed from the state budget. The newAsylum Law strengthens the obligation that the minor must receive education in state officiallanguage.Employment support is provided by the SEA. While registering in the SEA as unemployed, theSEA will run an overall profiling of a refugee to identify a person's situation and what kind ofactive labour market policy measures are most appropriate to help the respective person tointegrate into the labour market. The SEA specialists are working with employers to findappropriate vacancies as well as offering appropriate employment measures, including languagetraining (the next levels of acquisition) practical training with an employer, temporary publicworks, subsidized work places, small business start-ups, etc. A new measure combining Latvianlanguage acquisition and employment is also being developed.Since 2016, an introductory lecture “Work opportunities in Latvia” has been ensured for asylumseekers. The participation in the lecture is voluntary. Since February 2017, the SEA has providedindividual consultations to asylum seekers on work opportunities in Latvia at the AccommodationCentre for Asylum Seekers Mucenieki once a week. Persons with refugee status participate inseveral active employment measures – vocational education, learning of state language, meetingwith potential employers to check their abilities and the situation in a work place.In order to ensure that asylum seekers, refugees and persons with alternative status haveinformation needed for everyday life, informative lessons on Latvia are ensured within social-economic inclusion programme covering the issues of employment, education, housing market,the support system for refugees, etc.. Additional to lessons, study visits are organised toeducational institutions and employers in order to get some insight on adult education andemployment opportunities in certain sectors, thus expanding the future choice of employment inaccordance with existing profession of a person or getting a new one.9. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the Interior• What are the conditions for the benefit payments?Asylum seekers, who are accommodated at the accommodation centre, whilst they wait fordecision to be made regarding granting or refusing an international protection status, receivesubsistence and daily allowance (hereinafter – the funds) EUR 3.00 per day. Funds for the asylumseeker are salaried every week as an advance payment (for seven days). Nonetheless, if the asylumseeker leaves the accommodation centre without notifying working personal of theaccommodation centre for more than 48 hours, OCMA can adopt a decision not to pay the fundsfor the period of absence of the asylum seeker by analysing factual circumstances of the asylumseeker’s absence.• How do the benefits relate to the average national income?Average income for a Latvian national is around EUR 900, 00.The amount of a single financial support for a person who has received an alternative or refugeestatus in Latvia – for an adult it is EUR 278, 00. The amount for a minor person is EUR 194, 00.However, if two adults are married, the amount of the support for one spouse is EUR 278, 00 andEUR 194, 00 for the other.5Latvia Page 8The benefit for an adult is EUR 139, 00 per month, for a minor - EUR 97, 00 per month, but if twoadult persons are married, the amount of the benefit for one spouse shall be EUR 139, 00 permonth and for the other spouse - EUR 97, 00 per month.Answer prepared by the Ministry of WelfareIn Latvia access to social protection systems depends on a person’s status, however, there areseveral changes made to the legislation to improve the access and eligibility of asylum seekers andbeneficiaries of international protection to social protection system.The asylum seekers can receive daily allowance till decision on their status (a refugee or a personwith alternative status) is taken. The amount of the subsistence and daily allowance is EUR 3.00 aday. The allowance is meant for buying food and hygiene goods. Besides asylum seekers canreside in the Asylum Seekers Accommodation Centre Mucenieki during the asylum procedure.An unaccompanied minor is accommodated at the accommodation centre for asylum seekers or achildcare institution until the moment when he or she is ensured appropriate care with a guardianor in a foster family, or it is established that appointing of a guardian or placement in a fosterfamily is not appropriate for the particular unaccompanied minor.If the refugee or person who has acquired alternative status does not have sufficient means, theyare entitled to request:- Single financial support and benefit;- Allowance for the coverage of residence expenses.Single financial support is granted and paid by the OCMA in the following amount:- EUR 278.00 per person;- if persons are spouses, for one person — EUR 278.00, for the other person —EUR 194.00;- for a child — EUR 194.00.Allowance for the coverage of residence expenses is granted and paid by the State SocialInsurance Agency in the following amount:- EUR 139.00 per person a month;- if persons are spouses, for one person — EUR 139.00, for the other person — EUR 97.00per month;- for a child — EUR 97.00 per month.A refugee has the right to receive the allowance for 10 months within a 12-month period followingthe day the status of a refugee is obtained. A person with an alternative status has the right toreceive the allowance for 7 months within a 12-month period following the day the alternativestatus is obtained.If a refugee or a person with an alternative status is working, the allowance is paid for a period notexceeding three months following the day the status of an employee or a self-employed person isobtained.If a person with an alternative status, who has received a one-time financial aid and allowance, isassigned the status of a refugee, he or she has the right to receive the allowance as a refugee for aperiod not exceeding 10 months together with the period of the previously paid allowance.Refugees residing in Latvia are entitled to all municipal social assistance benefits and the samesocial care, social rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitations services paid from state ormunicipal budget as citizens or non-citizens of Latvia.6Latvia Page 9Persons having alternative status and their family members residing in Latvia are entitled toreceive the following social assistance (municipal) benefits and social services (for minors)financed from state or municipal budget:- a benefit for ensuring the guaranteed minimum level of income, shelter and night-shelterservices as well as information and consultations from the social service. If shelter or night-shelter services are not suitable due to functional limitations or insufficient social skills,another appropriate social services can be afforded by municipal social office;- a housing benefit from the municipal social office on equal basis with other local residents;- the minors are entitled to receive social care services and social rehabilitation services.A refugee who has not paid social insurance contributions still can receive different state socialbenefits granted by the State Social Insurance Agency, like child birth benefit (lump sum), childcare benefit (till child is 2 years old), state family benefit, child with disabilities care benefit, etc.Both refugees and persons granted alternative status who have made social insurance contributionscan receive social insurance benefits as well – maternity, paternity benefit, parental benefit,sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, disability pension, old age pension, etc.Social assistance benefits are granted by municipal social offices. Social workers consult personon principles of social assistance and preconditions for applying for it. Social assistance is grantedbased on assessment of incomes and properties of a person and family. Social care and socialrehabilitation services are granted based on assessment of a person’s functional constraints andneeds.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorLatvia provides the right to family re-unification for both Latvian/EU/EEA/Swiss citizens andthird-country nationals. Any third-country national, who has acquired a temporary or permanentresidence permit, is allowed to invite family members.The asylum seeker who has acquired a refugee status is entitled to a family reunification withfamily members residing abroad. The person who has acquired a refugee status, shall have suchrights only after residing in Latvia for at least two years.Family members shall be entitled to receive a permanent residence permit, while the familymembers of a person, who has acquired alternative status, shall be entitled to receive a temporaryresidence permit for the same time period as the residence permit that has been issued to theperson, who had already acquired alternative status.• Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country and dothey need visas and what are the visa regulations?Criteria of entry for the family members of third-country nationals and Latvian citizens are thesame; however the categories of family members that are admitted for a reason of familyreunification, differ. Third-country citizens are allowed to reunify family with spouse, minorchildren under 18 and adults under the custody. Citizen of Latvia can reunify family with theabove-mentioned categories of relatives but additionally adult children and parents who havereached the age of pension, can be invited also. The right to family reunification is granted if thefamily has sufficient financial means and place of residence and if the family members who areinvited, do not pose a threat to public policy, safety and public health. Family members shallobtain health insurance policy before they are issued a residence permit. Issuance of visas issubject to Schengen rules.7Latvia Page 10According to the Asylum Law, a refugee or a person having acquired alternative status has theright to reunite with family members who are in foreign countries. The person having acquiredalternative status has such right, if he or she has resided in the Republic of Latvia for at least twoyears after acquisition of such status. An unaccompanied minor who has been grantedinternational protection and who is not married has the right to receive mother and father whohave arrived from a foreign country.A family member of the refugee shall be issued a permanent residence permit. A temporaryresidence permit shall be issued to the family member of a person having acquired alternativestatus for the same time period as the temporary residence permit has been issued to the personhaving acquired alternative status.If the refugee or person having acquired alternative status loses the status granted to him or her orit is revoked for him or her, the residence permit shall be cancelled for a family member of therefugee or a person having acquired alternative status in accordance with the procedures laid downin the Immigration Law, except the case when the refugee or a person having acquired alternativestatus has acquired Latvian citizenship.To initiate a family reunification procedure, a refugee or a person, who acquired alternative status,must apply to any territorial unit of the OCMA and draw up a sponsorship application for thereceipt of residence permit. The relatives who are living abroad, must apply to the diplomatic orconsular representative office of the Republic of Latvia and submit the documents for the requestof a residence permit.The list of documents required for the receipt of a residence permit and the procedure for thereceipt of a residence permit has been provided for by the Cabinet Regulation No. 564 adopted21 June 2010 Regulations Regarding Residence Permits.11. Could you inform about the number of evictions activities and the number of evictionsin 2015/2016/2017?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorThe amount of issued voluntary return decisions (The State Border Guard and the OCMA):• 2015 – 1225 persons• 2016 – 1027 persons• 2017 - 1067 personsRemoval orders issued (The State Border Guard and the OCMA):• 2015 – 392 persons• 2016 – 355 persons• 2017 – 187 persons• Who decides?If it is determined that a foreigner is staying illegally in the Republic of Latvia, he or she shall beissued a voluntary return decision. A voluntary return decision is issued by the OCMA (if theillegal stay of the foreigner is detected by an official of the OCMA and/or official of the StateBorder Guard) and the State Border Guard (If illegal stay is detected by an official of the StateBorder Guard).8Latvia Page 1112. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realize the rightto certain supports, including (according to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child):• A guardian or representative?• The right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family?Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorIn case of unaccompanied minors The State Border Guard informs the State Police, the ConsularDepartment and the Orphan's Court, which represents the interests of the minor in the territory ofLatvia, and immediately acts to ensure the rights and interests of the minor throughout all theexpulsion process in accordance law regulating the protection of children's rights.If an unaccompanied minor has expressed a desire to obtain refugee or alternative status duringthe asylum procedure the personal and property relations of the unaccompanied minor shall berepresented by the Orphan’s Court or a guardian appointed thereby, or the head of a child careinstitution. An unaccompanied minor shall express a wish to acquire refugee or alternative statusin accordance with the procedures laid down in the Asylum Law.If the head of a child care institution, on the basis of an assessment of the personal situationprovided by the unaccompanied minor, deems that the minor needs international protection, he orshe has the right to submit an application on behalf of the minor in accordance with the procedureslaid down in the Asylum Law.After submission of the application the State Border Guard and the OCMA shall evaluate whetherthe asylum seeker has special reception or procedural needs.If the application is submitted by an unaccompanied minor, the Orphan's Court together with thesocial service office of the local government, the State Border Guard, and the OCMA shall takemeasures to look for family members of the minor and ascertain the possibilities of returning suchperson to family. The Orphan's Court shall immediately decide on appointing a guardian for theunaccompanied minor. The Orphan's Court shall take a decision to appoint a guardian, finding outthe opinion of the OCMA. Primarily an unaccompanied minor shall be provided care with aguardian or a foster family.• Child-specific social, economic and educational rights?For the detained unaccompanied minor there are specially provided accommodation with theopportunity to study, to carry out leisure activities, including games and recreational activities thatare relevant to their age.• Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?The State Border Guard shall carry out the activities provided in law regulating migration andasylum, incl. finds the identity of the detained third-country national or asylum seeker.For the identification of a detained third-country national and an asylum seeker, all availablemethods are essential for determining the authenticity of documents, the analysis of the content'srelevance, linguistic analysis, comparison of fingerprints in databases, comparison of photographyand age determination, as well as information from third countries where a detained foreigner orthe asylum seeker has stayed for a long time before entering the EU.The State Border Guard may at any stage of the identification process, upon receiving consent ofthe unaccompanied minor, determine an age examination if:- the person does not have a document confirming the age;- there is a reasonable suspicion that person claims to be a minor in order to avoid expulsion;- there is a doubt about the age of person who claims to be a minor.9Latvia Page 12The State Border Guard in the presence of the representative of an unaccompanied minor shallinform the unaccompanied minor about the reason for the age examination, the possibleconsequences of performing such examination, and consequences which could arise if anunaccompanied minor refuses the examination.After the age examination, the expert opinion is sent to the court for assessment in accordancewith Article 182 of the Administrative Procedure Law.Judgment is assessed by the court in accordance with the provisions of Article 154 of theAdministrative Procedure Law. If the expert's opinion is not sufficiently clear or incomplete, thecourt may impose additional expertise in order to assign it to the same expert. If the expert'sopinion is not substantiated or motivated, and if the opinions of several experts are contradictory,the court may order a re-examination by requesting another expert or several experts at once.If during the examination procedure, the age of the person is determined unclear, it will beassessed in favour of the examined person – the person will be considered a minor.Please see as well the answer to the question No. 14 regarding accommodation and education ofminor asylum seekers.Answer prepared by the Ministry of WelfareA new Asylum Law was adopted on 17 December 2015 which was developed to introduce severalrequirements of the EU legislation. While developing the new Asylum Law, the involvedinstitutions particularised mutual distribution of duties and functions in the work withunaccompanied minors (looking for the family, selection of a guardian, accommodation, fundingfor accommodation, education, etc.) by paying special attention to the identification ofunaccompanied minors that could be victims of human trafficking. The Asylum Law clearlydefines the criteria determining which asylum seekers are deemed vulnerable and have specialprocedural and accommodation needs as well as defines the rights of such persons during theasylum procedure. Besides, the Law strengthens the obligation that minors must receive educationin the state official language.On 1 December 2015, the amendments to the Social Services and Social Assistance Law cameinto force expanding entitlement to social rehabilitation services for minor asylum seekers whohad suffered from violence.On 14 June 2016, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Regulation on the procedure ofcompensating from the state budget the expenses of local governments for settling unaccompaniedminors into care institutions or foster families. These rules were necessary to settleunaccompanied minors into foster families during the asylum procedure which previously was notallowed.13. Please state, if possible, the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylum seeker /undocumented person, minor.Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorMinistry of Interior does not possess information on the average monthly costs per migrant / perasylum seeker / undocumented person, minor. It is extremely difficult to calculate the expendituresper person/ month as the actual costs are very complex and various state institutions provideassistance/ spend resources for the migrants/ asylum seekers.10Latvia Page 1314. Please indicate how your country organises accommodation for migrants, asylumseekers (refugees, minors).Answer prepared by the Ministry of the InteriorIf an asylum seeker does not have sufficient resources to ensure living arrangements conformingto his or her health condition and his or her residence during the asylum procedure, he or she shallbe accommodated at the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers “Mucenieki”, taking intoaccount the opinion of the asylum seeker, and preserving the unity of the family of the asylumseeker present in the Republic of Latvia.The Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers is a unit of the OCMA and is a joint dwelling fornon-detained asylum seekers, in which the conditions necessary for everyday life are ensured (bytaking into account also the special reception needs of the asylum seeker) and his or her physicaland mental health is protected. The Cabinet of Ministers shall determine the internal rules ofprocedure of the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers.An asylum seeker may be moved from one accommodation centre for asylum seekers to anotheronly if needed and ensuring as much as possible that an asylum seeker of legal age with specialreception needs is accommodated together with adult relatives who are already in the Republic ofLatvia and are responsible for him or her in accordance with the laws and regulations of theRepublic of Latvia. The OCMA shall provide an opportunity for the asylum seeker to notify his orher representative regarding transfer and the new address.The OCMA may accommodate an asylum seeker outside the Accommodation Centre for AsylumSeekers, if its capacity has been exceeded and the conditions mentioned before are ensured.An unaccompanied minor shall be accommodated at the Accommodation Centre for AsylumSeekers, placed in a childcare institution or in a foster family. A decision to accommodate anunaccompanied minor at the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers, placement in achildcare institution or in a foster family shall be taken by the Orphan's Court in co-operation withthe social service, by ascertaining the opinion of the OCMA. An unaccompanied minor isaccommodated at the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers or childcare institution until themoment when he or she is ensured appropriate care with a guardian or in a foster family, or it isestablished that appointing of a guardian or placement in a foster family is not appropriate for theparticular unaccompanied minor. In evaluating the bests interests of the child, the Orphan's Courtshall take into account the possibility of family reunification of the minor, the welfare and socialdevelopment of the minor, particularly his or her origin, protection and safety considerations,especially the probability that the minor is a victim of human trafficking, and also the interests andopinion of the minor according to his or her age and maturity, in conformity with the followingconditions:- an unaccompanied minor shall be accommodated together with adult relatives;- children from one family shall not be separated, except in cases where it is done in the bestinterests of the children;- the place of accommodation of an unaccompanied minor shall only be changed if it conformswith the interests of this person.A minor asylum seeker is provided with opportunities for acquiring education in the officiallanguage in a state or local government educational institution. If an unaccompanied minor hasstarted acquisition of basic education or general education, he or she may continue it afterattaining 18 years of age.Also Immigration Law and the Asylum Law stipulate that during the detention of foreigners orasylum seekers, they shall be accommodated at the specially designed premises of the StateBorder Guard unit.11Latvia Page 14The detained foreigners and asylum seekers are accommodated separately, in separate rooms(blocks), but in one complex. Families of detainees, including minors with their parents, arehoused together separately from other detainees in a specially equipped family unit. Detainedunaccompanied minors are housed in the premises which equipped according to the needs of theage and employed with specially trained staff.When placing a detainee at the premises the State Border Guard shall make persons health checkand perform sanitary treatment. A detainee with a special medical condition in accordance withthe instructions of the medical staff is placed in a room which is specially equipped for thispurpose.In Latvia there are two accommodation centres for detained foreigners – one in the city ofDaugavpils, the other one in Ropazi district – Mucenieki village.15. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national/ regional)? Financial support?Answer prepared by the Ministry of CultureInformation Centre for Immigrants provides consultations (legal, psychological, social, etc.),interpretation services, coordination of volunteers and community initiatives. It has become as aone-stop-shop serving both persons of international protection and third country nationals. In thetime frame from January 2018 until June 2020, 24 000 euros are guaranteed for volunteers’support.12LithuaniaLatvia Page 2Latvia Page 3Answers to the questions by BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration1. Country – Lithuania2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country regarding people with migration background andage structure:Resident population by sex, age group and citizenship, 2017Beginning of the yearTotal Nationals Non-nationalsAgegroup Total Males Females Total Males Females Total Males FemalesTotal 2847904 1312186 1535718 2827787 1301276 1526511 20117 10910 92070–17 510388 261766 248622 508332 260736 247596 2056 1030 102618–24 247341 126964 120377 246207 126362 119845 1134 602 53225–39 540819 275074 265745 535771 272156 263615 5048 2918 213040–49 390243 187560 202683 386843 185698 201145 3400 1862 153850–64 608916 275720 333196 604510 273282 331228 4406 2438 1968≥65 550197 185102 365095 546124 183042 363082 4073 2060 2013Resident population by sex, age group and country of birth, 2017Beginning of the yearAge Total Native-born Foreign-borngroup Total Males Females Total Males Females Total Males FemalesTotal 2847904 1312186 1535718 2720553 1258293 1462260 127351 53893 734580–17 510388 261766 248622 496975 255046 241929 13413 6720 669318–24 247341 126964 120377 245489 125982 119507 1852 982 87025–39 540819 275074 265745 530298 269358 260940 10521 5716 480540–49 390243 187560 202683 377674 181598 196076 12569 5962 660750–64 608916 275720 333196 560356 254447 305909 48560 21273 27287≥65 550197 185102 365095 509761 171862 337899 40436 13240 27196(Statistics Lithuania)Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+ among those: female/with migrationbackground/living in urban areas/living in rural areas/undocumented (“cross-table”) (Ministry ofInterior)3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigrationlaw exist?Law on the Legal Status of Aliens (hereinafter “The Law”) establishes the procedure of entry anddeparture, stay and residence, granting of asylum and temporary protection in the Republic ofLithuania, the procedure of integration and lodging of appeals against the decisions concerning thelegal status of aliens and regulates other issues relating to the legal status of aliens in the Republic ofLithuania. (Ministry of Interior)1Latvia Page 44. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?The grant of asylum in the Republic of Lithuania means:• granting of refugee status;• granting of subsidiary protection.The refugee status is granted to a foreigner who is recognised a refugee in accordance with theprovisions of the 1951 Geneva Convention. The provisions of Part 1 of Article 86 of the Law on theLegal Status of Foreigners are completely harmonised with Part A of Article 1 of the aforementionedConvention which provides the definition of refugee. Part 1 of Article 86 stipulates the following:Refugee status shall be granted to an asylum applicant who, owing to well-founded fear of beingpersecuted for reasons of race, religion, citizenship, membership of a particular social group orpolitical opinion, is outside the country of his citizenship and is unable or, owing to such fear, isunwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country or who, not having a citizenship and beingoutside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing tosuch fear, is unwilling to return to it.Subsidiary protection in the Republic of Lithuania may be granted to the applicant for asylum whois outside the borders of his/her country of origin and cannot return due to entirely reasonable fearthat:1) she/he will be tortured, subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;2) there is a threat that s/he will be imposed capital punishment or execution;3) his/her life, health, safety or freedom is under threat as a result of indiscriminate violence whichemerged during an international or internal armed conflict.An asylum application shall be considered by general procedure within the period of 3 months whichfor objective reasons may be extended for three more months.A decision on granting (non-granting) of asylum is taken by the Migration Department under theMinistry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter “Migration Department”). Thisdecision may be the following:- to grant refugee status and issue a permanent residence permit;- not to grant refugee status, provide subsidiary protection, and issue a temporary residencepermit;- not to grant asylum, issue a temporary residence permit;- not to grant asylum, to deport the asylum seeker from Lithuania.(Ministry of Interior)5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania states that, with the exception of individualcases provided for by law, no one may be a citizen of both the Republic of Lithuania and another stateat the same time.Article 7 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, citizens of the Republic of Lithuaniamay be a citizen of another state at the same time if they meet at least one of these requirements:1) acquired a citizenship of Republic of Lithuania and a citizenship of another state by birth;2) a person, who was exiled from an occupied Republic of Lithuania before 11th March 1990;3) a person, who left Lithuania before 11th of March 1990;4) a descendant of a person noted in the 2nd or 3rd sections;5) marrying a citizen of another state and acquiring that state‘s citizenship automatically;6) a person who is adopted by the citizen(-s) of Republic of Lithuania until that person turned 18and haven‘t reached 21 according to 1st section of 17th article of this law;2Latvia Page 57) a person, who is adopted by the citizen(-s) of another state until that person turned 18 andhaven‘t reached 21 and of this reason acquired a citizenship of another state;8) was granted a citizenship of Republic of Lithuania by way of an exception;9) a person, who preserved or was granted a citizenship of Republic of Lithuania for specialmerits for the state of Lithuania;10) acquired a citizenship of Republic of Lithuania by a grant of refugee status.According to the Article 9 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, persons who havenot obtained the citizenship of Republic of Lithuania until 15th June 1940, have the unterminated rightto restore the citizenship of Republic of Lithuania regardless to the place of their permanent residencein Republic of Lithuania or another country. These persons have a right to restore the citizenship ofLithuania unless they do not obtain citizenship of another country.According to the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, requirement to deny a citizenshipof another country is not applied for the persons who was exiled from the Republic of Lithuania havea right to possess citizenships of Republic of Lithuania and of another country. (Ministry of Interior)6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?The EU directives regulating the entry of third country nationals into EU Member States for thepurpose of employment have been transposed into national law and are in force in Lithuania:- The EU Blue Card Directive (2009/50/EC);- The EU Single Permit Directive (2011/98/EU);- The Seasonal Workers Directive (2014/36/EU);- The Intra Corporate Transfer Directive (2014/66/EU).The EU documents note that economic immigration must meet the labour market needs of theMember States.Therefore, a foreign national whose purpose of entry is the intention to work in Lithuania must applyfor admission into Lithuania for the purpose of employment and is obliged, prior to arriving inLithuania, to obtain:- a work permit;- a decision of the labour exchange regarding compliance with labour market needs, in the case of atemporary residence permit; or- a national Type-D visa when exempted from the obligation to obtain a work permit.A work permit/decision on compliance with labour market needs can be issued/taken when:- there is no specialist in Lithuania meeting the employer’s qualification requirements (i.e., anassessment of labour market needs is carried out);- a pledge is submitted by the employer to employ the foreign national under an employment contractfor a period of at least six months;- documents are submitted confirming the qualification of the foreigner national.The amendments adopted in 20161 introduced more favourable immigration rules for aliens,simplified the procedures for the employment of foreigners, and made conditions easier for employersto attract employees to the labour market for shortage occupations. As of 2017, there are two shortageoccupations lists valid in Lithuania:1. The list of occupations requiring high professional qualification2 includes 27occupations assigned to the main groups 1, 2 or 3 of the Lithuanian Classification of Occupations forwhich there is a shortage of employees in Lithuania. These include manufacturing, computer systems,1 Law No XII-2609 of 14 September 2016 on Amendment of Republic of Lithuania Law on the Legal Status of AliensNo IX-2206.2 Resolution No 96 of 8 February 2017 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania “On Approval of the List ofOccupations Requiring High Professional Qualification for Which There Is a Shortage of Employees in the Republic ofLithuania”.3Latvia Page 6aviation and mechanical engineers, sewing technologists, constructors, programmers, engineerprogrammers, graphic designers, IT system administrators, etc. (hereinafter – the highly qualifiedoccupation shortage list).2. The shortage occupations list that is approved every six months by the director of theLithuanian Labour Exchange is for blue-collar shortage occupations.3 The Q1/Q2 2018 list includes13 occupations: welders, hull assemblers, garment-makers, international freight drivers, buildinginsulators, electricians, metal construction assemblers, bricklayers, tile installers, roofers, plasterersand plaster finishers (hereinafter – the shortage occupations list).As a result, costs have decreased for employers – they no longer have to pay a state fee for a workpermit to be issued or for a decision of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange regarding compliance withLithuanian labour market needs to be taken. Coming to Lithuania to work without an assessment oflabour market needs is now open for:1) foreigner nationals whose profession is included on the shortage occupations list. These foreignernationals can come to work with a national visa;2) in cases where a temporary residence permit is issued, foreigner nationals whose profession isincluded on the shortage occupations list;3) in cases where an EU Blue Card is issued, highly skilled foreign nationals whose profession isincluded on the highly qualified occupation shortage list.Foreign nationals who have been sent (posted) from a foreign company to a Lithuanian company towork in the Republic of Lithuania under a contract concluded between these companies for theprovision of services or the performance of work for one year may also come and begin to work withjust a national visa.Favourable opportunities have been created for foreign students to join the Lithuanian labour market,i.e.:- those who have not only completed studies, but have also completed vocational training programmesin Lithuania and intend to work according to the acquired qualification no longer need a work permit;- those who are studying at institutions of science and study or educational establishments and whointend to work while they study are also exempted from the obligation to obtain a work permit.As of 2017, it is also possible for foreign nationals seeking a job that requires high professionalqualifications in an occupation that is not regulated in the Republic of Lithuania to have theirprofessional experience equated to tertiary qualification and to have a document confirming suchissued.4 This option is available to foreigner nationals who do not have a tertiary education diplomabut have five years of professional experience. Foreign nationals who have submitted documentsmust prove that they have at least five years of professional experience which meets the requirementslaid down for the highly skilled job that the employer intends to employ them for, and work in acertain non-regulated occupation which corresponds to the occupations assigned to the main groups1, 2 or 3 of the Lithuanian Classification of Occupations that require high professional qualification.(Ministry of Social Security and Labour)7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees)exist?3 Order No V-946 of 15 December 2016 of the Director of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange “On Approval of the List ofOccupations for Which There Is a Shortage of Employees in the Republic of Lithuania by Economic Activity for Q1/Q22017”.4 Resolution No 211 of 22 March 2017 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania “On Approval of the Equationof Professional Experience to Tertiary Qualification and the Description for the Procedure for Issuing ConfirmationThereof”.4Latvia Page 7There are three Foreigners Integration Centres in Lithuania in the biggest cities – Vilnius, Kaunasand Klaipeda. The aim of the centre is one-stop-shop for foreigners (refugees) to facilitate them witha wide range of services at one desk to speed up their integration into society and labour market.Integrated services:At the centre foreigners (refugees) are provided of:ü any information, consultation, mediation, representation and other social assistance servicesas they need;ü Lithuanian language courses;ü Civic orientation courses;ü Legal assistance services;ü Psychological counselling;ü Organizing joint events with community;Education and training services to facilitate integration into labour market (assessment of skills,vocational guidance and counselling, improving communication skills, trainings, etc.) (Ministry ofSocial Security and Labour)Foreigners can find information about entry and departure, stay and residence in the Republic ofLithuania in www.migracija.lt. It should be noted as well, that in cases provided for in the Law,migrants, asylum seekers and refugees can receive legal assistance free of charge. (Ministry ofInterior)8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses orcourses e. g. for civic education or vocational training?- Who is allowed to participate?- Are they free of charge?- Are there obligatory ones?Language courses and introductory courses are provided by the Government free of charge for therefugees during their integration period and therefore are mandatory as provided in the integrationcontract. Other migrants are allowed to participate at the courses which are provided at the ForeignersIntegration Centres. Courses for other migrants are not free of charge and voluntary. (Ministry ofSocial Security and Labour)Every general education school that has pupils who do not speak Lithuanian organises an intensiveadditional Lithuanian language teaching course for them (in bridge classes, groups or by integratingpupils in classes, providing individual assistance). Children attend this extra course for a year or lessand study other subjects together with their peers.Lithuanian language courses for adult migrants are available. The courses are offered by differenteducation providers such as universities (Vilnius University Department of Lithuanian Studies,Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University), language schools andcentres, NGOs and freelance teachers.In most cases cultural orientation is an integral part of the language courses, but in some cases socio-cultural orientation is provided as a separate course.VET institutions offer a choice of nearly 400 different VET programmes. Pupils from the age of 14are eligible for VET studies. VET studies usually take one to three years to complete. The form of anapprenticeship is also offered, and in this case, the profession is studied directly at the workplace. Inorder to enrol pupils should address the chosen vocational education institution. VET studies at publicinstitutions are free of charge.Adult migrants can take part in continuing education and training programs to obtain an additionalqualification. These programs, lasting from 2 weeks to a year (depending on the difficulty), are5Latvia Page 8designed for adult persons to obtain a different qualification (to requalify) and are aimed at betterresponding to the demands of the labour market.(Ministry of Education and Science)9. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?Persons who are granted asylum despite permanent or temporal residence permit are entitled to getthe same social benefits as the citizen of Lithuania. Migrants who have permanent or temporalresidence permit as well are eligible for common social benefits.Relocated and resettled asylum seekers and persons who are granted asylum and other migrants ifdecided by the government, who has signed integration contract are entitled to get social integrationbenefits. Persons mentioned above during they stay at the Refugee reception centre receive 85,4 €per month per person for a period of 3 months (the period might be extended up to 6 month invulnerable cases). After having moved to the territory of a municipality where the period ofintegration may last up to 12 months (in some cases might be extended but not more than 36 months)persons mentioned above receive:Monthly subsistence (Eur per month)From 1st to 6th month From 7th to 12th month1 person 240 120Family of 2 persons 360 180Family of 3 persons 480 240Family of 4 persons 540 270Family of 5 persons 600 300Family of 6 persons and more 660 330For each additional For each additionalchild + 60 € per child + 30 € per monthmonthAdditional allowances (Eur)One-time allowance for settlement at the 244municipality 1221342partial compensation for monthly rent 2,5 – 78,34accommodation expenses for a person (dependson municipality)Compensation of monthly kindergarten 60,10expenses for childrenOne-time allowance for the pupil to start school 57Moreover, refugees are entitled to require for additional social benefits as all the rest Lithuaniancitizens - monthly allowance for a child, one-time allowance upon the birth of a child, one-timeallowance for the family in case of death of a family member.Official minimum wage in Lithuania is 380 € per month; medium wage is 660 € per month. (Ministryof Social Security and Labour)According to the Law monthly benefit for asylum seekers is 10 percent of state supported incomeamount. The amount of state supported income is approved by the Government of Republic ofLithuania and at the moment is 122 Euros per month. (Ministry of Interior)10. Are there possibilities for family reunification? Under which conditionsare relatives allowed to take residence in your country / region and dothey need visas and what are the visa regulations?6Latvia Page 9If a member of family lives in the Republic of Lithuania, relatives may come to visit family memberand obtain a temporary residence permit. The permit is usually issued for 1 year; later it may bereplaced with a permit valid for 2 years. While an application for a temporary residence permit isconsidered, relative may obtain a national visa.If relative is abroad, he have to apply for the document to the Embassy of Lithuania, and if he is inLithuania, he should apply to the migration service that provides services in the area where he intendto reside.Relatives may stay in Lithuania while the family member whom he is visiting is in Lithuania, unlesshe obtain a residence permit on other grounds. (Ministry of Interior)11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and thenumber of evictions in 2015/2016/2017?Foreigners returnedYear Return decisions2015 1 469 4442016 1 570 1772017 2 001 103- Who decides?A decision regarding the return of an alien to a foreign state shall be taken by the MigrationDepartment, the police or the State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior of theRepublic of Lithuania (hereinafter “State Border Service”), while the enforcement of decisions shallbe controlled by the police and the State Border Guard Service. (Ministry of Interior)12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do yourealize the right to certain supports, including (according to UN Committeeon the Rights of the children)?- A guardian or representative,According to the provisions of the Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania, every unaccompaniedminor is assigned a guardian (legal representative) at the Refugee Reception Centre, which becamethe representative of the child. (Ministry of Social Security and Labour)The Refugees Reception Center (hereinafter “RRC”) becomes a guardian. From the moment ofaccommodation of unaccompanied minors in this center. (Ministry of Interior)- The right to accomodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,child-specific social, economic and educational rights?Unaccompanied minors are accommodated in the Refugee Reception Centre separately from theadults in the section "Unaccompanied Minors". There can live about 16 minors at one time.7Latvia Page 10Minors are provided with essential furniture, dishes, household utensils, hygiene products, clothes,bedding, and school supplies in accordance with standards approved by the Director of the Centre.Minors receiving allowances for food and small expenses.Minors have the right to attend Lithuanian language courses at the Refugee Reception Centre,vocational guidance courses, Lithuanian society cognitive courses, other classes organized at theRefugee Reception Centre, attend general education schools. Unaccompanied minors are prohibitedby compulsory health insurance in the manner prescribed by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.The centre has a medical centre providing minors with primary health care services. If a minorrequires secondary or tertiary health care, the doctor of the centre writes a referral, and theunaccompanied minor accompanies the health facility. Unaccompanied minors are provided withpsychologist services. (Ministry of Social Security and Labour)Unaccompanied minors are accommodated in the RRC. All unaccompanied minors have access tohealthcare (Law of Republic of Lithuania Mandatory health insurance). Unaccompanied minors getall integration measures: inclusive formal education, they are taught Lithuanian language andLithuanian culture, psychological support, their leisure time is also organized.Unaccompanied minors who seek asylum are accommodated in the RRC (where the interests of childare ensured). (Ministry of Interior)- Do you have special programs for familyunification/resettlement/return?Persons who arrived in Lithuania under the case of family unification are eligible for the program ofintegration into society on the same conditions as asylum seekers and persons granted asylum.(Ministry of Social Security and Labour)Migration Department, having received information about a designated unaccompanied minor,together with the non-governmental or international organizations and the representative of anunaccompanied minor, immediately organizes the search of the unaccompanied minors' familymembers. (Ministry of Interior)- Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?Yes it is. (Ministry of Social Security and Labour)It depends on the legal status of the person. Usually, when turning 18 years of age, the person legallyconsidered an adult. If that person is an asylum seeker, he / she has the right to integration and support.(Ministry of Interior)- Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?Age assessment procedure provided in accordance with the description of the procedure fordetermining the age of identification, accommodation and other procedural actions and the provisionof services for unaccompanied minors who are not asylum seekers established in the Republic ofLithuania, approved by the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, theMinister of the Interior and the Minister of Health of 2014. April 23 Order No A1-229 / 1V-491 / V-491 (as amended on June 9, 2016, No. A1-284 / 1V-425 / V-739). (Ministry of Social Security andLabour)On 23rd April 2014, Minister of Security and Labour, Minister of the Interior and Minister of Healthof the Republic of Lithuania adopted procedure for non-asylum seeking minors. This Act established8Latvia Page 11the detailed procedures and harmonized the practices applicable to non-asylum seekingunaccompanied minors (for example age assessment).The age of an unaccompanied minor can be determined in the following ways:1) Based on the documents presented or his/her own words;2) In the presence of reasonable doubts as to the age of the asylum seeking unaccompaniedminor, an age assessment may be undertaken.In practice, the age of an asylum seeking unaccompanied minors is usually recorded during an initialinterview based on his/her own words. This information is added to the person’s file.An age assessment (X-ray test) may be performed only when there is a reasonable doubt as to anunaccompanied minor’s age and only with his/her consent. The test’s conclusion permits a margin oferror of two years. In the event of such an error, the person is considered to be a minor. If theunaccompanied minor does not consent to undergo the age assessment, a decision on the necessity ofthe assessment or on the recognition of the person as an unaccompanied minor is adopted by the court.(Ministry of Interior)- Are there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); bestpractice examples?Currently there are two non-governmental organisations which provide support for integration toforeigners who have been granted asylum in the territory of a municipality: Caritas of VilniusArchdiocese and the Lithuanian Red Cross Organisation. Non-governmental organisations providementoring services. Mentors help foreigners acquire basic necessities, rent a flat; they pay cashallowances, organise kindergarten services and assist with any other issues. During the period of statesupport for the integration in the territory of a municipality, a foreigner who has been granted asylumis paid a monthly cash allowance for basic necessities (housing rental, public utilities, food,transportation, etc.). (Ministry of Social Security and Labour)Lithuania creates the following conditions for unaccompanied minors: provides temporaryaccommodation, provides care, organizes education, organizes Lithuanian language courses,Lithuanian culture courses, ensures social security and health care. In addition, informs the publicabout foreigners in order to prevent their isolation, public xenophobia and promote tolerance.(Ministry of Interior)13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant/perasylum seeker/undocumented person, minor.Monthly national budget costs per person at the Refugee reception centre (Eur)Subsistence 85,4Administration costs 40Accommodation 39Provision of necessities (clothing, bedding, transportation and so on) 50Education 60Healthcare 50Social care, counselling, interpreter 40other 21Vocational training (not regular) 180In all: 565,4(Ministry of Social Security and Labour)9Latvia Page 12The average monthly cost of foreigners accommodated in the State’s Border Guard ServiceForeigners Registration Centre (hereinafter “FRC”) are:- approximately 580 euros (an asylum seeker);- approximately 587 euros (a child);- approximately 570 euros (a detained foreigner). (Ministry of Interior)14. Please indicate how your country organises accomodation for migrants,asylum seekers (refugees, minors).Relocated and resettled asylum seekers and persons who are granted asylum and other migrants ifdecided by the government are welcomed at the Refugees reception centre where they are free ofcharge provided of accommodation for 3 months (the period might be extended up to 6 month invulnerable cases). After three months at the Refugees reception centre refugees fall into the rentalhousing market, although they receive help in identifying housing. Moreover, the government hasforeseen partial reimbursement for renting accommodation for those who are yet on the integrationprogram. Of course refugees are always entitled to require for social housing as all the rest Lithuaniancitizens. Unaccompanied minors are eligible to stay at the Refugees registration centre before theyturn 18 years old. (Ministry of Social Security and Labour)FRC is the main institution accommodating asylum seekers during the examination of theirapplication and third country nationals who came into the country illegally and thus were detained(in the separate building).The Lithuanian legal framework guarantees the accommodation for all asylum seekers: both for thosearrived legally and illegally. The law does not provide for the refusal to accommodate asylum seekersfor the lack of places in the centers, or to evict individuals from the place of accommodation becauseof violations of local regulations or for other reasons.On the decision of the Migration Department, an asylum seeker may be permitted to reside in theplace of his choice if the asylum seeker so desires.On 8th March 2017 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a Resolution No. 171 “Onapproval of the description of the procedure for the accommodation of asylum seekers”. The purposeof this Resolution is to determine the procedure for alternative accommodation of asylum seekers.Decision to accommodate in alternative places is made by Migration Department. The conditions ofsuch alternative accommodation is:- an asylum application was submitted by vulnerable person;- there is no place in FRC to accommodate asylum seekers.Unaccompanied minors are accommodated in the Refugees Reception Center.Asylum seekers can receive material, social and medical services, financial allowances and leisureactivities are organised for them.RRC is an institution, which provides an accommodation for foreigners who have been grantedasylum in Lithuania, unaccompanied minors and which implements social integration ofaccommodated foreigners. (Ministry of Interior)15. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national/regional)?Financial support?Non-governmental organizations can participate in organizing the accommodation of asylum seekers,as well as forced return monitoring. (Ministry of Interior)10Mecklenburg-VorpommernMecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 2Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 3BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018LIST OF QUESTIONS to be transmitted to the governments Regional parliaments have the opportunity to refer to the response ofnational parliaments if there are no corresponding figures available atregional level. Additional documents please add per Mail.1. Name of national / regional parliamentLandtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure ofyour country / region regarding the people with migration background and agestructure:Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+among those: female / with migration background / living in urban areas /living in rural areas / undocumented (“cross-table”)Number of female male unknown totalresidingforeigners0 to under 6.914 7.842 25 14.78118 years18 to under 4.054 7.159 17 11.23025 years25 to under 10.401 15.496 46 25.94340 years40 to under 4.752 6.418 17 11.18750 Jahre50 to under 3.415 4.783 8 8.20665 years65 years 1.395 1.399 0 2.794and olderAge not 1 1 0 2calculableSum total 30.932 43.098 113 74.143Source: Central register of foreigners at reporting date 28.02.2018Detailed information about the spatial allocation of the foreign population, whetherliving in urban or rural areas, is not available for the state government. Data aboutillegal entry cannot gathered from the available statistics.3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E.g. does an immigration lawexist?1Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 4BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018The significant rules are included in the German Asylum Act as well as in the lawabout residence, employment and integration of foreigners in federal territory(residence act). It is federal law.4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?Based on the personal hearing and the exhaustive examination of documents andpieces of evidence the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees decides over theapplication for asylum. For each application for asylum, the Federal Office examineson the basis of the asylum law whether one form of protection – right to asylum,refugee protection, subsidiary protection or non-refoulement – exists. If there is a rightfor protection, applicants receive a positive notice.Right for Asylum under article 16a of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic ofGermanyEntitled to asylum and therefore politically persecuted are people, who in case ofreturn to their home country would be exposed to a serious violation of human rights,due to their- Race (the word “race” is used following the wording of the Geneva RefugeeConvention)- Nationality- Political beliefs- Religious fundamental decision or- Affiliation with a certain social group (a group can also be seen as a certainsocial group when it is founded on the common characteristic of sexualorientation)without having an alternative of fleeing within his/ her country’s borders or otherprotection of persecution.However, not every negative state policy – even when tied to one of the namedpersonal characteristics – constitutes an asylum-relevant persecution. It must ratherbe a specific violation of a legally protected matter for one thing and has to be aimedin its intensity at excluding the affected person from the community for another.Finally it has to be a measure so serious that it violates the human dignity andexceeds the conditions the residents of the concerning country are otherwisegenerally facing. In principle, only persecution by the state or coming from the state istaken into consideration. Exceptions apply when the non-state persecution isattributed to the state or the non-state persecution itself displaced the state (quasi-state persecution). Emergency situations like poverty, civil wars, natural disasters orhopelessness are therefore principally excluded as reasons for the grant of asylumunder article 16a Basic Law.2Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 5BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018Safe third countriesThe recognition of the right to asylum is impossible with an entry via a safe thirdcountry. This also applies when a repatriation to this third country is not possible, forexample because the country is not known due to missing information from theapplicants for asylum. The German Asylum Act defines as safe third countries themember states of the European Union as well as Norway and Switzerland.Refugee protectionBased on the Geneva Refugee Convention people are regarded as refugees, who,owing to a well-founded fear of persecution by state or non-state actors because oftheir- Race (the word “race” is used following the wording of the Geneva RefugeeConvention)- Nationality- Political beliefs- Religious fundamental decision or- Affiliation with a certain social group (a group can also be seen as a certainsocial group when it is founded on the common characteristic of sexualorientation)are outside their country of origin and can’t enlist the help of their country of origin ordon’t want to do so because of reasonable fear of persecution.Examples for acts which can be regarded as persecution are:- Use of physical or psychological violence, including sexual violence,- legal, administrative, police and/or judicial measures that are discriminating assuch or used in a discriminating way,- disproportionate or discriminatory prosecution or punishment,- Denial of judicial legal protection with the result of an disproportionate ordiscriminating sentencing- Acts tied to sexuality or aimed against children.Subsidiary protectionThe subsidiary protection comes into consideration when neither refugee protectionnor right to asylum can be granted and the applicant is threatened by serious damagein his country of origin.A right to subsidiary protection have those who put forward substantial grounds thatthey are threatened by serious harm in their country of origin and they can’t enlisttheir country’s help or due to the threat don’t want to do so. A serious damage can beattributed to state as well as non-state actors.Serious damage is the imposition or enforcement of death penalty, torture or inhumanor degrading treatment or punishment or a serious individual threat to the life orintegrity of a civilian owing to arbitrary violence as part of an international or nationalarmed conflict.3Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 6BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018Only when none of the forms of protection apply, the application for asylum getsrejected. The right to protection is not considered if reasons for preclusion apply.Those include: If a person has committed a war crime or a serious non-politicalcriminal offence outside the German federal territory, acted against the objectives andprinciples of the United Nations, is to be seen as a threat to the security of theFederal Republic of Germany or represents a threat to the general public because heor she has been finally sentenced to imprisonment because of a criminal offence or aparticularly serious offence.5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?The following explanations refer to established federal law. The Nationality Act isapplied. Moreover, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is adapted to the TemporaryApplication Notes to the Nationality Act by the German ministry of the interior.Generally, the German nationality law is characterized by the principle of preventionof multiple nationalities. The withdrawal or loss of the foreign nationality is, except forcitizens of another member state of the European Union or Switzerland, a substantialand obligatory requirement for naturalisation based on legal entitlement.However, multiple nationalities can’t be completely prevented and have beenaccepted in German nationality law for a row of cases for a long time. Reasons forthis are the exceptions for the upholding of the nationality (§ 12 Nationality Act), theintroduction of the birthplace principle (§ 4 paragraph 3 Nationality Act), the legalacquisition of the German nationality by Germans without German nationality (“statusGerman”) and late re-settlers (§ 7 Nationality Act) which doesn’t require thewithdrawal of the previous nationality, as well as the extended possibilities for thepreservation of upholding admissions according to § 25 paragraph 2 Nationality Act.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Welches sind die Bedingungen für den Erhalt einer Arbeitserlaubnis?Citizens from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and SwitzerlandEU citizens have the right to freedom of movement and have unlimited access to theGerman labour market. They don’t need a visa or residence permit either for the entryor for the employment in Germany. Only a valid passport or identity card is necessaryfor the entry.Citizens from other states (third states)The access to the German labour market is determined by the regulations of theresidence act as well as the adopted regulations to this about employment offoreigners (employment regulation).4Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 7BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018People from a state outside the European Union usually need a visa. The visa entitlesto the entry in Germany and is then in Germany converted in a residence permitdepending on the residence purpose.An exception applies for citizens from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea,New Zealand or USA. They can enter Germany without a visa and apply for aresidence permit before taking up employment. In the residence permit is notedwhether and in what form employment or activity is allowed.For citizens from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro andSerbia apply new legal regulations for the access to the German labour market since1.1.2016 (§ 26 paragraph 2 employment regulation).With the residence permit, the diplomatic missions of the Federal Republic ofGermany or the responsible authority for foreigners approve an employment inGermany. If necessary, the German Federal Employment Agency has to agree. Inorder for the Federal Employment Agency to agree to the employment, the followingrequirements have to be fulfilled generally:- The employment is allowed according to residence law or employmentregulation.- A specific employment offer has been received.- The working and waging conditions correspond to those of comparableGerman employees.- There are no preferential workers with same qualifications available on theGerman Labour Market (priority holders).In many cases the residence permit can be given without agreement by the FederalEmployment Agency.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees)exist?The integration office as organization of the federal state Mecklenburg-Vorpommernoffers in the reception centre (location Stern Buchholz) early social advice for asylumseekers which are likely to stay permanently (no Dublin cases nor people from safecountries of origin). Consultancy requirements and needs for the allocation in certainmunicipalities shall be established and realized early.For migrants with a permanent residence, e. g. migrants with residence permit, withsettlement permit, late re-settlers and EU citizens and their families, exists migration-specific counselling. This is funded by the federal state or the Federation based on§ 45 residence act, that realizes a migration-specific social counselling. They aredirected to adult migrants. The branch office of the Central Welfare Board of Jews inGermany (Zentralwohlfahrtsstelle der Juden) especially counsels Jewish migrants.5Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 8BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018For the object of consultation on asylum law, the federal states funds a responsiblebody.Migrants aged 12-27 are counselled about their particular interests by YouthMigration Services (Jugendmigrationsdienste, JMD) financed by the Federation.The psychosocial counselling services, financed by the federal states, are directed toimmigrants with psychological problems. They serve a low-threshold access of firstanamnesis, crisis intervention, offer short therapies and mediate to psychiatric andpsychological counselling services of the regular medical care in case ofcorresponding indication.The vocational counselling for migrants with residence permit, settlement permit, latere-settlers and EU citizens are carried out by the specialist integration service onmigration. (Funded by the federal states).The counselling and support for the access to work and apprenticeship, particularlyfor refugees, is realized by the advice centres of the Network “Work for Refugees”(Netzwerk “Arbeit für Flüchtlinge”).The service points of the Network “Integration through Qualification” advise for therecognition of vocational qualifications acquired in foreign countries. (Funded by theFederation)The network of migrant organisations in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern “Migranet M-V”advises migrant-self-organisations in particular concerning their political and socialparticipation.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or coursese.g. for civic education or vocational training?Who is allowed to participate?oAre they free of charge?oAre there obligatory ones?oThe integration courses under the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of the Interior,Building and Community/ Federal Office for Migration and Refugees include a basicand follow-on language course with respectively 300 lessons as well as an orientationcourse with 100 lessons teaching about legal system, culture and history of Germany.They are accessible for those with a residence permit, late re-settlers and asylumseekers from countries of origin with prospects of permanent residence in Germany(Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria). EU citizens and Germans with migrationbackground can be admitted subsequently. A contribution to the costs of theintegration courses is charged, the participants can be relieved of payment bycorresponding economic situation. The Immigration Offices or the labouradministration can oblige the participation in an integration course.6Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 9BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018The work-related language training, funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour andSocial Affairs, can include basic modules to reach a certain level of language orspecific modules accompanied by procedures for the recognition of professionalqualifications with subject-specific contents or for participants who could not reach thelanguage level B1 during the integration course. It is accessible for immigrants,including refugees, who are in recognition process and have good prospects for apermanent residence (the latter currently applies to the five countries of origin: Syria,Iran, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia), EU citizens as well as Germans with migrationbackground. For the work-related language training, a fee is charged for theparticipants in employment. The participants can be relieved of this payment bycorresponding economic situation.The initial orientation courses, financed by the Federation, are primarily directed toasylum applicants who originate from a country which neither does not have a highrecognition rate (good prospects of staying in Germany) nor does not constitute asafe country of origin. Should places still be available after covering this main targetgroup, asylum applicants with good prospects of being able to stay in Germany mayalso attend an initial orientation course, if they are not (yet) able to take part in anintegration course. The courses are based on the concept "Initial orientation andgrounding in German for asylum applicants". Besides for example the topics everydaylife in Germany, work, health/medical care and nursery school/school, the coursescan also deal with customs and traditions in Germany/local peculiarities and generalvalues and social co-existence. The Participation is free of charge.The project „Introduction German” (Einstieg Deutsch) under responsibility of theFederal Ministry of Education and Research consists of language courses forrefugees older than 16 years with no place in an integration course yet, primary forpeople originated from countries with good prospects of staying in Germany(currently: Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Somalia). Moreover, refugees whoseprospects of staying are uncertain can also attend the courses. The participation isfree of charge.The “Federal State Agency for Civic Education Mecklenburg-Vorpommern”(Landeszentrale für politische Bildung), in cooperation with the schools, hasdeveloped an offering of political education for young refugees at vocational schoolsin Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The modules cover different topics (politics,fundamental rights, religion, vocational training, regional studies, participation etc.)but also leave free space for questions and everyday experiences of the adolescents.The project is realized via a tandem, consisting of a Syrian and a German employeeof the Federal State Agency for Civic Education. There are no costs for theparticipants.7Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 10BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 20189. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?What are the conditions for the benefit payments?oHow do the benefits relate to the average national income?oAccording to the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act, foreigners are entitled to benefitswhen they indeed are residing in Germany and who1. are in possession of a preliminary residence permit according to the Asylum Act,2. want to enter via an airport but have not or not yet been allowed the entry,3. are in possession of a residence permita) because of war in their home country according to § 23 paragraph 1 or § 24 ofthe Residence Actb) according to § 25 paragraph 4 sentence 1 of the Residence Act orc) according to § 25 paragraph 5 of the Residence Act, if the decision about thesuspension of deportation has been made no longer than 18 monthsbeforehand,4. are in possession of a temporary suspension of deportation according to § 60a ofthe Residence Act5. are enforceable compelled to depart, even when a deportation order is not yet ornot anymore enforceable,6. are spouses, life partners or minor children of the people named in number 1 to 5,without fulfilling the requirements themselves or7. file a follow-up application or a second application.Amount of benefitsThe amount of life-saving benefits, payed by the responsible issuing authority,depends on various factors like:a) family relations (single, married, with/without minor children),b) agec) available income and assets andd) duration of residence in Germany.Anyone who is residing for more than 15 months in Germany, without substantialinterruption, can obtain benefits according to the Twelfth Book of the Code of SocialLaw. These benefits differ in the amount and kind, compared to the benefitsaccording to the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act. But only persons who didn’t abuserights with the aim to influence the length of stay, could receive these higher benefits.An abuse occurs for example, if someone• evades the authorities,• undermines the implementation of the asylum process,• destroyed or had destroyed his passport,• gives a false identity or nationality or• makes other false statements.Form of benefitsThe benefits according to the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act are granted in differentways, it depends on the type of accommodation of the applicant:8Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 11BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018- Accommodation in reception facility:The basic needs are granted regularly as a benefits-in-kinds, this means food,clothes, healthcare and personal hygiene, as well as household durables andconsumables (furniture, bed linen, towels, cleaning products, electricity, water,etc.) are provisioned to the beneficiaries.In contrast, personal daily requirements, namely what a beneficiary needs tocover personal daily requirements (e.g. for communication devices andtransport means) are covered differently, depending on the federal state inwhich the reception facility is located: either completely or partially by cashbenefits and/or benefits-in-kind and/or in kind of cashless invoices and/orvouchers.- Collective accommodation or apartment:The basic needs (e.g. food, clothes) are primarily granted in kind of moneybenefits.The kind of granting the necessary personal needs depends on the type ofaccommodation. Is the beneficiary accommodated in an apartment, hereceives money benefits to cover the necessary personal needs. By anaccommodation in a collective accommodation, the needs could completely orpartially be granted by benefits-in-kind. The locally responsible issuingauthority decides.Current amount of benefits according to § 3 Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act, first 15month of the allowed residence:Grant levels Grant amount, Asylum Seekers’ Benefits ActNecessary Personal Totalneeds needs1 single beneficiary 219 € 135 € 354 €2 two adult beneficiaries, sharing 196 € 122 € 318 €as partners the same household,each3 further adult beneficiary without 176 € 108 € 284 €an own household4 other minor beneficiary from the 200 € 76 € 276 €beginning of the 15th year ofone’s life until the completion ofthe 18th year of one’s life.5 beneficiary children from the 159 € 83 € 242 €beginning of the 7th year of one’slife until the completion of the 14thyear of one’s life.6 beneficiary children until the 135 € 79 € 214 €completion of the 6th year of9Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 12BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018one’s life.Current amount of benefits according to § 2 Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act, after 15month of the allowed residence and by the fulfilment of further requirements of § 2Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act:Grant levels Grant amount of the 12th Book of theCode of Social Law (according to § 2Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act)1 single beneficiary 416 €2 two adult beneficiaries, sharing as 374 €partners the same household, each3 further adult beneficiary without an own 332 €household4 other minor beneficiary from the 316 €beginning of the 15th year of one’s life untilthe completion of the 18th year of one’s life.5 beneficiary children from the beginning of 296 €the 7th year of one’s life until the completionof the 14th year of one’s life.6 beneficiary children until the completion of 240 €the 6th year of one’s lifeNo definite statement can be made about the benefits relate to the average nationalincome because of the variance of the individual benefits, which are determinedseparately for each case.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country /region and do they need visas and what are the visa regulations?Family reunification means the moving in of family members to a (foreign or german)person, who is already residing in the destination country, with the aim to create ormaintain the family unit. Usually a distinction is made between the moving in ofspouses, the moving in of children, the moving in of parents and the moving in ofother family members. These regulations are contained in the 6th section of theAsylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (§§ 26 et seq). Unless otherwise specified, it isnecessary to prove the granting prerequisites according to § 5 Asylum Seekers’Benefits Act.Certain family members of accepted refugees and entitled asylum seekers areentitled for family-reunification. Spouses, minors, unmarried children of entitledprotection seekers residing in Germany and parents of unaccompanied minors.10Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 13BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018There are roughly five requirements for a family-reunification from third-country-nationals: the including person must have a valid residence permit, sufficient livingspace, a health insurance for itself and the following family members and mustensure the means of livelihood. Furthermore, the identity of the incoming personsmust be unequivocally clear. Under certain circumstances, specific integrationservices must be fulfilled, before and/or after the reunification (e.g. evidence ofGerman language skills). For the reunification of spouses or life partners, theincoming partner muss be normally 18 years old.For individual group of persons certain requirements for a family-reunification can berefrained. This is for example the case for the ensuring of the means of livelihood.This requirement can be refrained for the group of refugee resettlement (Thirdcountry resettlement), person entitled to asylum, accepted refugee or subsidiaryprotected.Currently, certain restrictions apply for the family-reunification of subsidiary protected.For those who received their residence permit after the 17. March 2016, the family-reunification is suspended until the 31. July 2018; during this phase is a reunificationjust possible for individual cases and according to international law or urgenthumanitarian reasons. A new arrangement is planned by the federal government.The family-reunification is also not permitted, when it is evident, that it is a marriage ofconvenience or a forced marriage or rather a partnership of convenience or a forcedpartnership. The reunification with person who are enforceable obligated to depart willalso not be granted.Third country nationals with the aim of a family-reunification in Germany must applyfor a resident document in an embassy or a consulate in their country of origin (or inneighbouring countries by countries at war). The Federal Foreign Office decides onthe visa, but usually it requests statements on certain granting prerequisites by theresponsible immigration authority. The webpages of the diplomatic missions can befound on the homepage of the Federal Foreign Office (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/laenderinformationen). They also contain further informationon the visa procedure (especially on the family-reunification of persons withsubsidiary protection from Syria).11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number ofevictions in 2015 / 2016 / 2017?Who decides?oIt is assumed, that the question implemented an answer on the number ofdeportations and the arrangement of the jurisdiction.Time period 2017 2016 2015Deportation activities 1.351 1.748 2.224Deportations 497 846 1.051Failed deportations 854 902 1.17311Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 14BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees decides on the application for asylumon the basis of a personal hearing and of a detailed examination of documents anditems of evidence. The fate of the individual applicant is the matter of principle. Eachasylum application is examined by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees onthe basis of the Asylum Act as to whether one of the types of protection – entitlementto asylum, refugee protection, subsidiary protection or a ban on deportation – applies.If an entitlement to protection does not exist, the asylum application will be rejected.The decision on the asylum application is explained in writing and a notice on appealsand a translation of the content of the decision is served to the involved persons, theapplicant or the legal representative and the competent immigration authorities. Adistinction of the decision is made between a “simple” rejection and a rejection as“manifestly unfounded”. If the rejection is “simple”, the person has a timeline of 30days to leave the country. If the rejection is “manifestly unfounded” the timeline toleave is one week.The negative notice of the application is simultaneously connected with a notice ofintention to deport. Asylum applications are also inadmissible if another MemberState of the Dublin area is responsible for it (Member States of the European Union,Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein).After the expiration of the deadline for a voluntary depart and occurred enforceabilityof the obligation to depart, the districts and district-free cities proof the existence ofobstacles of the enforcement; as long as the deportation does not take place out of afacility of the federal state. If no obstacles exist, the districts and district-free citiesinform the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Office of internal administration (LAiV) that thedeportation can be implemented. According to § 3 paragraph 2 sentence 1 of theExecutive Federal State Regulation on immigration responsibility is the Office ofinternal administration (LAiV) always responsible for the implementation ofdeportations.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realizethe right to certain supports, including (according to UN Committee on theRights of the Child):a guardian or representative,othe right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,ochild-specific social, economic and educational rights?oDo you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /oreturn?Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?oAre there procedures to identify ostensible minors?oAre there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); bestopractice examples?12Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 15BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018 A legal guardian?Unaccompanied minors are taken up by the federal police or federal state police orthey announce themselves by an immigration authority, social or youth welfare office.No matter at which office they appear, the first German authority coming into contactwith a potentially unaccompanied minor has to register his or her personal data.During the temporary taking into care, it is not necessary to appoint a legal guardian,according to § 42a of the 8th Book of the Code of Social Law (SGB VIII). The youthwelfare office that takes an unaccompanied minor into care (§ 42a-Jugendamt) is,based on public law, empowered and obligated, to assume the legal guardian of theunaccompanied minor during the temporary taking into care. Furthermore the youthwelfare office enforces legal acts which are necessary for the well-being of theunaccompanied minor (representation in an emergency).The temporary taking into care does not end by a specific time period, it ends byother ways to ensure the well-being of the unaccompanied minor.The temporary taking into care ends according to § 42a Abstract 6 of the 8th Book ofthe Code of Social Law (SGB VIII):- the handover of the unaccompanied minor to an entitled person of educationand care- The youth welfare office that takes minors into care (§ 42 Jugendamt)- the Federal state distribution authority reports to the Federal Office ofAdministration that the distribution is excludedIn that case, the youth welfare office (§ 42a-Jugendamt) orders the taking into care,according to § 42 Abstract 1 Sentence 1 Number 3 of the 8th Book of the Code ofSocial Law (§ 42 Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 3 SGB VIII) and causes the accommodation in anappropriate facility of the children and youth welfare service or by an appropriateperson.Once the youth welfare office got an accompanied minor allocated, it determines therequirements for a taking into care.The youth welfare office has to order immediately the appointment of a guardian or acarer according to § 42 Abstract 3 Sentence 4 of the 8th Book of the Code of SocialLaw (§ 42 Abs. 3 S. 4 SGB VIII).Children-specific social, economic rights and right for education?oThe primary responsibilty of the children and youth welfare service cares for the well-being of the unaccompanied minor and considers the specific needs for protection ofthe children and youth, by first aid, accommodation, care, clearing procedure andfurther, the taking care following, assistance services. This is especially ensuredthrough national legal requirements of the 8th Book of the Code of Social Law whichintends need-based treatment.13Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 16BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018Unaccompanied minors receive language and educational offers especially in schoolsand work-related sectors.To enable the unaccompanied minors for a participation in society and social-culturallife, it needs - next to offers of language courses - also interpreters, language andcultural mediators.It becomes obvious, that offers in the fields of sport, culture and youth work activitiesthat especially offers of music and sport as far as adventure-based learning activitiesare gladly accepted by the unaccompanied minors.Do you have special programs for family reunification/ resettlement/ return?oThere are no special family-reunification programmes for unaccompanied minors.If a family-reunification is possible during the framework of the temporary taking intocare, the youth welfare office remains responsible until the end of the taking into care.The initial screening will be carried out during the temporary taking into care. This firstinterview serves to get information about the residence of the entitled guardian ofpersonal custody of the unaccompanied minor and whether the family or closerelatives could be united.Different programs exist to promote the departure or return. If someone can usethese programs depends on different factors. Certain programs apply for certaincountries of origin. The best known returning program is REAG (Reintegration andEmigration Programme for Asylum Seekers in Germany) / GARP (GovernmentAssisted Repatriation Programme), next to “start-up-plus” (StarthilfePlus).Furthermore exist reintegration programs like the program ERIN (EuropeanReintegration Network) and return and reintegration with URA (albanais: bridge).ERIN (European Reintegration Network) is a joint reintegration programme thatinvolves large numbers of European partner states, managed by the Netherlands.The "URA" project offers Kosovan returnees comprehensive advisory services andnumerous reintegration and support activities. The program is organized by theInternational Organisation for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Federation and theFederal States in cooperation with municipality authorities, the welfare associations,specialised counselling offices, central counselling offices for return and the UnitedNations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Next to financial support for adeparture, star-up could be granted under certain circumstances.A special program of return for unaccompanied minors does not exist.Is there a continued support when a child reaches the age of majority?oThe local authority of the local youth welfare service is responsible for granting helpservices for young adults, according to § 41 of the 8th Book of the Code of Social Law14Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 17BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018(SGB VIII). The decision upon help services on an individual case should be made bycooperation of various specialists, according to § 36 abstract 2 of the 8th Book of theCode of Social Law (SGB VIII). A specific assistance plan will be developed as thebasis for the help arrangement. This contains the assessment on the needs, thegranted help and necessary benefits. The assistance plan is reviewed each half yearaccording to necessity and suitability.Is there a procedure for identification of supposed minors?oThe screening, for recording personally identifiable and biometrical information, offoreigners which completed the 14th year of one’s life is made by photos andfingerprints of all ten fingers, according to § 49 abstract 8 sentence 2 Residence Act(Aufenthaltsgesetz) and § 16 abstract 1 Asylum Act (Asylgesetz). If a foreigner doesnot have completed the 14th year of life, it is just allowed to take photos (§ 49 abstract8 sentence 3, § 16 abstract 1 sentence 2).During the temporary taking into care, the youth welfare authority has to determinethe minor of a foreign person by inspection of identity documents or alternately by aqualified examination by the Two-man rule to estimate and decide on the age;according to § 42 et seq of the 8th Book of the Code of Social Law (SGB VIII).The youth welfare authority can also consult evidence which they consider necessaryto investigate the facts; in particular request information, hear witnesses and expertsand as well as retain documents, certifications and files.If there is a doubt about the minority within the framework of qualified examination,the youth welfare authority must arrange a medical examination to determine the ageof the minor; or the minor foreigner, represented by his legal representative, canapply for such examination. It is to be noted to differentiate between medicalexaminations (visual evaluation of teeth/ determination of dental maturity, evaluationof corporal maturity) and medical measures with use of diagnostic radiology (teeth,carpal bone or hand, collarbones).The process to determine the age must be carried out on the basis of ethically andscientifically justifiable methods and must also meet principles of the rule of law.Therefore, methods which are incompatible with human dignity are excluded.Are there particular regional programs (school, youth welfare); best-practiceoexamples?In the range of youth welfare there are no special regional programmes. Theunaccompanied minors are cared like every German child according to the 8th Bookof the Code of Social Law (SGB VIII).Unaccompanied minors have access to general schooling. Support measures in theschool sector and professional sector are organized by the individual federal states.15Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 18BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018There is also language training for unaccompanied minors for a better socialparticipation.Language acquisition offers or integration classes, remedial classes or intensiveclasses frequently give the access to education, as well as concentrated measures inthe place of accommodation.There are youth integration courses for the young migrants who do not have to attendschool anymore, but want to start an apprenticeship and still not have an adequateknowledge of the language.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylumseeker / undocumented person, minor.The average of the monthly costs for beneficiaries according to Asylum Seekers’Benefits Act currently amounts 1,010 €. This amount is based on a preliminaryevaluation of the monthly settlements of the municipalities according to the Act ofRefugee Admission (Flüchtlingsaufnahmegesetz) of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern forthe year 2017, so far as invoiced by the districts and district-free cities to the federalstate according to the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act.14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation formigrants, asylum seekers (refugees, minors.)- Asylum seekersAccording to § 47 paragraph 1 sentence 1 of the Asylum Act, asylum seekers aregenerally obliged to live in the reception centre up to 6 months. Moreover, in case ofdenial of asylum as obviously unfounded or as inadmissible, foreigners from a safethird country are generally obliged to live in the reception centre of the federal stateuntil their removal or voluntary departure. Usually, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern acts inthis way.However, the responsible authority (Office of Internal Administration Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) can change this practice at their discretion in particular cases. Thus,the obligation to live in the reception centre can be prematurely lifted according to§ 49 paragraph 1 Asylum Act (the removal is not possible in the short-term or theforeigner should be issued a residence permit according to § 24 of the ResidenceAct) as well as according to § 49 paragraph 2 Asylum Act (because of purposes ofpublic preventive medicine, public security or other compelling reasons).So far as the admission and accommodation of foreign refugees does not happen inreception centres of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, this task isincumbent upon the districts and district-free cities as a task in the delegated field ofactivity according to the allocation by the responsible authority (the Office of InternalAdministration). In general, foreigners who have filed an application for asylum and16Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 19BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018are not obliged to live in the reception centre anymore, should be accommodated inshared accommodation.In the course of increasing asylum seekers‘ entries in 2014 and 2015, the decentralaccommodation (in apartments) has been massively extended for the lack ofsufficient shelter capacities in shared accommodation. In light of the entry trend of thelast months and the creation of new or the upgrade of existing sharedaccommodation sites during the last months, the capacities of decentralaccommodation have been significantly reduced again. This reduction will becontinued in the next time. The accommodation in shared accommodation sitesshould correspond the regular accommodation again. Decentral accommodationshould only occur in specific singular cases. Exceptions are particularly provided formedical reasons. Foreigners, who under further conditions have got income fromemployment or assets and therefore can bear their living on their own, can bepermitted at discretion the decentral accommodation (e. g. if the place of work canonly be reached this way). However, the named exceptions don’t apply to peopleunder removal order, when residence-ending measures can’t be carried out due toreasons they are responsible for themselves or in individual cases, when seriousreasons speak against a decentral accommodation in apartments.- Unaccompanied minorsThe distribution to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern office of Mecklenburg-Vorpommernreceives the allocation of unaccompanied minors from the Federal AdministrationOffice. The distribution office has an exact overview about free capacities ofaccommodation.The distribution office gets in contact with the responsible youth welfare office in thefederal state and gives notice of the unaccompanied minor. The distribution officesends out the contact information of the youth welfare office (§42a-Jugendamt). Afterallocation of the unaccompanied minor by the distribution office, the youth welfareoffice (§42-Jugendamt) contacts the youth welfare office (§42a-Jugendamt) andarranges a timely appointment for handover. The youth welfare office (§42-Jugendamt) searches for an adequate institution of a youth welfare organisation forthe unaccompanied minor. At the handover, the youth welfare office (§42a-Jugendamt) also hands over all documents of the unaccompanied minor to the youthwelfare office (§42-Jugendamt). With handing over the unaccompanied minor, theyalso hand over the anamnesis file, medical check and available documents. Duringthe examination and the admission of the unaccompanied minor there is a languagemediator present.For self-turned-in migrants or migrants picked up by the police, the process ofaccommodation is the same.15. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national / regional)? Financialsupport?At the organization of the voluntary work for the encouragement of integration,dialogue and openness, migrant associations play an important role. They are17Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 20BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018frequently the first point of contact for new immigrants and have good access to theimmigrated population. The umbrella association of the migrant associationsMIGRANET-MV is supported by the federal state with a contribution of 50,000 € peryear in light of the wish to organise the voluntary work and the active participation ofmigrant associations.Besides, the federal state created the opportunity for municipalities to support avariety of projects of volunteers with and without migrant background in initiatives,associations etc. to strengthen the cohabitation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with theestablishment of the integration fund with an amount of 3 Mio. € for the years 2016-2018. In this framework, the coordination of volunteer initiatives or mentoring projects,among others, get financially supported.On a regional and local level the federal state funds so-called “MitMachZentralen”(centres for participation), which give the necessary contact for exchange for theparticipation of volunteers and also support integration offers, e. g. language courses,district festivals and everyday mentoring.Apart from supporting the association work in the refugee assistance, they also offertrainings for volunteers in refugee assistance, e. g. concerning the treatment oftraumatized refugees or questions of founding an association. A qualification seriesfor voluntary integration assistants, supported by the federal state, got launched. Thecivil commitment of elderly people is particularly supported by the federal state viatraining offerings as senior trainers including migration-related topics.Each year there is an exchange forum of the whole federal state for volunteers in therefugee assistance which serves the mutual information and cooperation of full-timeemployees and volunteers. In July 2017, the voluntary foundation (Ehrenamtsstiftung)MV awarded for the first time the commitment prize Mecklenburg-Vorpommern tovoluntarily run projects which motivate in a particular way and focus on integration.The „Sonderprogramm Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) mit Geflüchteten“ (specialprogram national voluntary service with refugees), launched in December 2015 onnational level, is used by native volunteers and refugees (entitled asylum seekers,applicants for asylum and asylum seekers with good prospects of staying). TheFederation provided 125 Mio. € for the years 2016 to 2018. In the framework of thespecial program, in total 338 contracts have been made between the 01.12.2015 andthe 23.01.2018, of those 69 with volunteers under the age of 27 and 269 withvolunteers above the age of 27. The volunteers were partly employed directly in theassistance of refugees as well as in migration counselling or activities of integrationpilots. Besides, a national voluntary service can also undertake a voluntary service inthe regular areas in sense of integration support – for example in a nursing home, amultigenerational house or a sports club.Unaccompanied children and adolescents who come without family from theircountries of origin are among the most vulnerable people. They reside in Germanywithout parents or legal guardians. Thus, no adult person, responsible for theirprotection, supports them. The state therefore has to take that responsibility. Themunicipalities in place of the parents take care that those children and adolescents18Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Page 21BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration 2018are accommodated and looked after in the best interest of the child or adolescent.The primacy of children and youth welfare guarantees this.The participation of children and adolescents in all issues of their concern is a topicwhich is dealt with by all institutions of the public and independent youth welfare. Theparticipation is explicitly described in § 8 of the 8th Book of the Code of Social Law:“Children and adolescents are to be involved according to their level of developmentin all decisions of public youth welfare affecting them. They have to be notified in anadequate manner of their rights in the administrative procedures as well as in theproceeding before the family court and administrative court.”19NorwayNorway Page 2LIST OF QUESTIONSØ Regional parliaments have the opportunity to refer to the response of nationalparliaments if there are no corresponding figures available at regional level.Ø Additional documents please add per Mail.1. Name of national / regional parliamentStortinget2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure of yourcountry / region regarding the people with migration background and age structure:Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+among those: female / with migration background / living in urban areas /living in rural areas / undocumented (“cross-table”)Population with migrant background. (available statistics)Age group Male Female0-15 89528 8519816-19 21736 1826020-44 230541 21197545-66 102926 8634467- 16634 206093. What are the significant rules for immigration? E.g. does an immigration law exist?The significant rules for immigrations follows from the Norwegian Immigration Actand the Immigration regulations.4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?According to section 28 in the Immigration Act, asylum is granted to a foreignnational who is in the realm or at the Norwegian border if the applicant is found tohave a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of ethnicity, origin, skincolour, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or for reasonsof political opinion, and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himselfor herself of the protection of his or her country of origin.The same applies if the applicant does not fall under the abovementioned criteria, butnevertheless faces a real risk of being subjected to the death penalty, torture or otherinhuman or degrading treatment or punishment upon return to the country of origin.The right to be recognized as a refugee does not apply if the foreign national canobtain effective protection in other parts of his or her country of origin than the areafrom which the applicant has fled5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?Initially, Norway does not allow dual citizenship. In order to have the right toNorwegian nationality, the applicant must satisfy the requirement regarding releaseNorway Page 3from another nationality laid down in section 10 in the Citizenship act. An exemptionmay be granted from the requirement regarding release if release is deemed to belegally or practically impossible, or for other reasons seems to be unreasonable. Since2010 more than 50 percent of the applicants were exempted from the requirementregarding release from another nationality. In addition to this, Norway also allowspeople who gets dual citizenship by birth to keep both nationalities.At the end of 2017 the Government initiated an official hearing of a proposal to allowdual citizenship. The official hearing will be closed 20 March.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Foreigners who want to work in Norway must apply for a work permit. Specialconditions apply for nationals from EU/EFTA. Applicants from outside EU/EFTA canget a permit as a skilled worker if the applicant has completed higher education orhas completed vocational training. The applicant must normally already have receiveda job offer, or have his/her own business. Unskilled workers have few options for awork permit in Norway.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?There is an information program run by an NGO (financed by the government) whichgives asylum seekers information regarding their legal rights and the asylumprocedures. If the asylum seeker is rejected by the first instance, he/she is entitled tolegal assistance form a lawyer.The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has on their website extensive informationregarding different procedures, conditions for permits and legal rights for immigrants.Applicants can also call the Directorates hotline for information. NorwegianEmbassies will also assist potential applicants abroad with information.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g. forcivic education or vocational training?o Who is allowed to participate?o Are they free of charge?o Are there obligatory ones?Norwegian language training and social studiesForeign nationals between 16 and 55 years of age who have a residence permit thatforms the basis for a permanent residence permit in Norway, will have the right andobligation to participate in Norwegian language training and social studies. Aminimum of 600 hours of Norwegian language training and social studies will begiven free of charge within the first three years.Work immigrants and their family members are not covered by the right to freeNorwegian language training and social studies, but have the obligation to complete atotal of 300 hours of tuition.Norway Page 4Foreign nationals have to complete their mandatory tuition, to be granted permanentresidence permits or become Norwegian citizens.If you hold a residence permit pursuant to the EEA regulations or if you are a nationalof one of the Nordic countries, tuition in the Norwegian language is not mandatory.The tuition is not free.The introduction programmeRefugees and their families who have been granted a residence permit in Norway havethe right to are obliged to complete an introductory programme. The introductionprogramme shall be designed for persons whao need to obtain basic qualifications.The programme may run for up to two years, with additional periods for approvedleaves of absence. When special reasons so warrant, the programme may run for up tothree years. Municipalities shall provide introduction programmes for newly arrivedimmigrants who are resident in the municipality. Refugees receive economical supportwhilst participating in the introductory programme.9. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?Asylum seekers have the option to stay at a reception centre while their asylum case isbeing processed. They also have access to a range of public services includinghealthcare. In addition asylum seekers receive financial support.o What are the conditions for the benefit payments?In general there are no conditions for receiving payments.o How do the benefits relate to the average national income?The benefits are modest compared to average national income and are meantto cover basic necessities.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification? YesUnder which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country /region and do they need visas and what are the visa regulations?Foreign nationals who want to join family members in Norway must apply for aresidence permit. Such applications must be submitted from abroad. Familyreunifications is mainly grated to close family members (spouses, children andparents). The reference person must document that they have a steady source ofincome. In some cases it is possible to be exempted from this requirement.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number ofevictions in 2015 / 2016 / 2017?It is not clear what ‘eviction activities’ refers to. As for number of ‘evictions’which is assumed to be forced returns, the numbers are as follows2015:7825, 2016: 8077, 2017: 5434Norway Page 5o Who decides?The process of effectuating returns, including forced returns, follows thedecision by our Directorate of Immigration and our Migration Appeals Boardwhereby the application for international protection, or other forms ofresidence permit, has been rejected.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realize theright to certain supports, including (according to UN Committee on the Rights of theChild):o a guardian or representative,A representative is allocated to the unaccompanied minor at the time of theregistration of the asylum claim. When the unaccompanied minor obtains aresidence permit and is settled in a municipality, a ‘legal guardian’ will beappointed.o the right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,They receive accommodation in reception centres that are designated speciallyto unaccompanied minors.o child-specific social, economic and educational rights?As a general rule, unaccompanied minors have the same rights as childrenwho have residency in Norway.o Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?a. Family unification: There are no special programs. Unaccompaniedminors who are granted asylum are entitled to family reunificationswith their parents. They can also under specific conditions be reunitedwith siblings. Unaccompanied minors who have only been granted apermit on humanitarian grounds, are not entitled to familyreunification.b. Resettlement: Within the annual resettlement quota there is room toresettle 20 unaccompanied minors. Once in Norway, these will beincluded in the same programs and systems as other unaccompaniedminors who are refugees.c. Return: There is a program for return and reintegration tailored forunaccompanied minors, which offers cash and in kind support. Withinthis framework, the minor is given 3 weeks to apply for assistedvoluntary return, thereafter The Immigration Police and TheDirectorate of Immigration is jointly responsible for effectuating thereturn.o Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?When unaccompanied minors turn 18, they will generally receive the samelevel of support as other adult asylum seekers.Norway Page 6o Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?Pursuant to the Norwegian Immigration Act Section 8, the Norwegianauthorities can request a medical age assessment when it is not possible toestablish with reasonable certainty whether the foreign national is over orunder the age of 18. Medical age assessment is an important and necessarytool for the immigration authorities in cases where an unaccompanied minorhas not presented a valid ID document. The medical age assessment inNorway consists of dental x-ray and x-ray of the wrist. However, there iscurrently no medical method which can identify the exact age of an individual.The results are therefore used with caution, and are one of several factors inthe immigration authority’s final age assessment. If there is reasonable doubtabout the asylum seekers age, the applicant will be considered a minor.o Are there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); best practiceexamples? No special programmes.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylum seeker /undocumented person, minor.Norway does not have any cost estimates for all types of migrants. There havehowever been some attempts to calculate costs of selected groups of migrants. In 2017the estimated costs of an asylum seeker was during the first year NOK 187 000 foradults, NOK 691 000 for unaccompanied minors aged 16 and NOK 2 222 000 forunaccompanied minors aged 13. If these costs are converted to monthly costs in Eurosthey amount to €1 600, €5 800 and €18 500. It is important to note that these arerough estimates.14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation for migrants,asylum seekers (refugees, minors.)We offer accommodation to all asylum seekers in Norway, usually a place in areception centre. Accommodation in reception centres is voluntary, and is offered toasylum seekers from the time they lodge their application until they are settled in amunicipality or returned to the country of origin. There are separate reception centresor units for unaccompanied minors.15. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national / regional)? Financialsupport?There are many types of voluntary organizations, national, regional and local, whichare involved in issues related to migration, integration, refugees and other immigrantsin Norway. There are some national grants for voluntary organizations, mostly forprojects in specific fields. One of these grant schemes is dedicated to voluntarycommunity work.All types integration-related grant schemes, also grants for voluntary work, aredescribed (in Norwegian) here: https://www.imdi.no/tilskudd/Norway Page 7– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:45You see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use thebutton 'Print' at the end of this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName Stortinget / NorwayResponsable Thomas FraserE-Mail thomas.fraser@stortinget.no2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionInsert total number (e.g. total = 1700000)with migration backround 883.7512a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding thepopulation structure in your region / countryInsert percentageNo answer18-25No answer26-40No answer41-50No answer1 von 7Norway Page 8– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:4551-65No answer66+No answer2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionOtherNo answer2b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20years concerning demographic development?No answer3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does animmigration law exist?☒ Yes, significant rules for immigration exist.3a. What are the significant rules?The significant rules for immigrations follows from the Norwegian Immigration Act and theImmigration regulations.3b. What is the immigration law?No answer4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?According to section 28 in the Immigration Act, asylum is granted to a foreign national who is in therealm or at the Norwegian border if the applicant is found to have a well-founded fear of beingpersecuted for reasons of ethnicity, origin, skin colour, religion, nationality, membership of aparticular social group or for reasons of political opinion, and is unable or, owing to such fear, isunwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of his or her country of origin.The same applies if the applicant does not fall under the abovementioned criteria, but neverthelessfaces a real risk of being subjected to the death penalty, torture or other inhuman or degradingtreatment or punishment upon return to the country of origin.The right to be recognized as a refugee does not apply if the foreign national can obtain effective2 von 7Norway Page 9– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:45protection in other parts of his or her country of origin than the area from which the applicant hasfled5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒ Yes Initially, Norway does not allow dual citizenship. In order to have the right to Norwegiannationality, the applicant must satisfy the requirement regarding release from another nationalitylaid down in section 10 in the Citizenship act. An exeption may be granted from the requirementregarding release if release is deemed to be legally or practically impossible, or for other reasonsseems to be unreasonable. Since 2010 more than 50 percent of the applicants were exempted fromthe requirement regarding release from another nationality. In addition to this, Norway also allowspeople who gets dual citizenship by birth to keep both nationalities. At the end of 2017 theGovernment initiated an official hearing of a proposal to allow dual citizenship. The officialhearing will be closed 20 March.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?Please explain the Foreigners who want to work in Norway must apply for a work permit. Specialconditions to obtain a conditions apply for nationals from EU/EFTA. Applicants from outsidework permit. EU/EFTA can get a permit as a skilled worker if the applicant has completedhigher education or has completed vocational training. The applicant mustnormally already have received a job offer, or have his/her own business.Unskilled workers have few options for a work permit in Norway.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers,refugees) exist?There is an information program run by an NGO (financed by the government) which gives asylumseekers information regarding their legal rights and the asylum procedures. If the asylum seeker isrejected by the first instance, he/she is entitled to legal assistance form a lawyer.The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has on their website extensive information regardingdifferent procedures, conditions for permits and legal rights for immigrants. Applicants can also callthe Directorates hotline for information. Norwegian Embassies will also assist potential applicantsabroad with information.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses orcourses e.g. for civic education or vocational training?☒ Yes, language courses are provided.☒ Yes, the following courses are provided. Norwegian social studies8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒ Other: Foreign nationals between 16 and 55 years of age who have a residence permit that formsthe basis for a permanent residence permit in Norway, will have the right and obligation to3 von 7Norway Page 10– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:45participate in Norwegian language training and social studies. A minimum of 600 hours of Norwegianlanguage training and social studies will be given free of charge within the first three years. Workimmigrants and their family members are not covered by the right to free Norwegian languagetraining and social studies, but have the obligation to complete a total of 300 hours of tuition. Foreignnationals have to complete their mandatory tuition, to be granted permanent residence permits orbecome Norwegian citizens. If you hold a residence permit pursuant to the EEA regulations or if youare a national of one of the Nordic countries, tuition in the Norwegian language is not mandatory. Thetuition is not free. The introduction programme Refugees and their families who have been granted aresidence permit in Norway have the right to are obliged to complete an introductory programme.The introduction programme shall be designed for persons whao need to obtain basic qualifications.The programme may run for up to two years, with additional periods for approved leaves of absence.When special reasons so warrant, the programme may run for up to three years. Municipalities shallprovide introduction programmes for newly arrived immigrants who are resident in the municipality.Refugees receive economical support whilst participating in the introductory programme.8b. Are the courses free of charge?☒ Yes☒ Special conditions/Exeptions: Work immigrants and their family members are not covered by theright to free Norwegian language training and social studies, but have the obligation to complete atotal of 300 hours of tuition. If you hold a residence permit pursuant to the EEA regulations or ifyou are a national of one of the Nordic countries, tuition in the Norwegian language is notmandatory. The tuition is not free.8c. Are there obligatory courses?☒ Only for the following: Work immigrants and their family members are not covered by the right tofree Norwegian language training and social studies, but have the obligation to complete a total of300 hours of tuition. Refugees and their families who have been granted a residence permit inNorway have the right to are obliged to complete an introductory programme. Foreign nationalsbetween 16 and 55 years of age who have a residence permit that forms the basis for a permanentresidence permit in Norway, will have the right and obligation to participate in Norwegianlanguage training and social studies. A minimum of 600 hours of Norwegian language training andsocial studies will be given free of charge within the first three years.9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?Asylum seekers have the option to stay at a reception centre while their asylum case is beingprocessed. They also have access to a range of public services including healthcare. In additionasylum seekers receive financial support.9a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?In general there are no conditions for receiving payments.4 von 7Norway Page 11– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:459b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?The benefits are modest compared to average national income and are meant to cover basicnecessities.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒ Yes10a. Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence inyour country / region?Foreign nationals who want to join family members in Norway must apply for a residence permit. Suchapplications must be submitted from abroad. Family reunifications is mainly grated to close familymembers (spouses, children and parents). The reference person must document that they have asteady source of income. In some cases it is possible to be exempted from this requirement.10b. Do families need visas for family-reunifications?No answer10c. What are the visa regulations for family-reunifictaions?No answer11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: 7825Evictions in 2016: 8077Evictions in 2017: 543411a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒ Other The process of effectuating returns, including forced returns, follows the decision by ourDirectorate of Immigration and our Migration Appeals Board whereby the application forinternational protection, or other forms of residence permit, has been rejected.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or A representative is allocated to the unaccompanied minor at the time of therepresentative registration of the asylum claim. When the unaccompanied minor obtains aresidence permit and is settled in a municipality, a ‘legal guardian’ will beappointed.5 von 7Norway Page 12– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:45the right to They receive accommodation in reception centres that are designatedaccommodation in a specially to unaccompanied minors.dedicated home or ina foster familychild-specific social, As a general rule, unaccompanied minors have the same rights as children whoeconomic and have residency in Norway.educational rights12a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /return?☒ Yes There are no special programs. Unaccompanied minors who are granted asylum are entitled tofamily reunifications with their parents. They can also under specific conditions be reunited withsiblings. Unaccompanied minors who have only been granted a permit on humanitarian grounds,are not entitled to family reunification. Within the annual resettlement quota there is room toresettle 20 unaccompanied minors. Once in Norway, these will be included in the same programsand systems as other unaccompanied minors who are refugees. There is a program for return andreintegration tailored for unaccompanied minors, which offers cash and in kind support. Withinthis framework, the minor is given 3 weeks to apply for assisted voluntary return, thereafter TheImmigration Police and The Directorate of Immigration is jointly responsible for effectuating thereturn.12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?☒ No12c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?☒ Yes Pursuant to the Norwegian Immigration Act Section 8, the Norwegian authorities can request amedical age assessment when it is not possible to establish with reasonable certainty whether theforeign national is over or under the age of 18. Medical age assessment is an important andnecessary tool for the immigration authorities in cases where an unaccompanied minor has notpresented a valid ID document. The medical age assessment in Norway consists of dental x-ray andx-ray of the wrist. However, there is currently no medical method which can identify the exact ageof an individual. The results are therefore used with caution, and are one of several factors in theimmigration authority’s final age assessment. If there is reasonable doubt about the asylumseekers age, the applicant will be considered a minor.12d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors(school, youth welfare); best practice examples?☒ No6 von 7Norway Page 13– Electronic Form27.03.2018 11:4512e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practiceexamples?No answer13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per asylum seeker 187000per minor 691000-2222000Currency NOK14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for asylum seekers We offer accommodation to all asylum seekers in Norway, usually a place in areception centre. Accommodation in reception centres is voluntary, and isoffered to asylum seekers from the time they lodge their application until theyare settled in a municipality or returned to the country of origin.for minors There are separate reception centres or units for unaccompanied minors.15a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒ National☒ Regional☒ Other There are many types of voluntary organizations, national, regional and local, which areinvolved in issues related to migration, integration, refugees and other immigrants in Norway.There are some national grants for voluntary organizations, mostly for projects in specific fields.One of these grant schemes is dedicated to voluntary community work. All types integration-related grant schemes, also grants for voluntary work, are described (in Norwegian) here:https://www.imdi.no/tilskudd/15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?No answerPrintBack Pause the interview NextLeave and delete my dataAdministrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 94% completed7 von 7PolandPoland Page 2LIST OF QUESTIONSØ Regional parliaments have the opportunity to refer to the response of nationalparliaments if there are no corresponding figures available at regional level.Ø Additional documents please add per Mail.1. Name of national / regional parliamentSejm of the Republic of Poland / Senate of the Republic of Poland2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure ofyour country / region regarding the people with migration background and agestructure:Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+among those: female / with migration background / living in urban areas /living in rural areas / undocumented (“cross-table”)Table 1. Population on 1 January 2017 by sex, age, residence areas and citizenshipForeignersLiving in Living in UndocuAge Population Females and statelessurban areas rural areas mentedpeople0-17 6 895 878 3 357 327 3 881 164 3 014 714 24 503 n/a18-24 3 099 253 1 517 356 1 643 472 1 455 781 20 137 n/a25-39 9 090 911 4 479 256 5 538 320 3 552 591 90 945 n/a40-49 5 202 444 2 584 892 3 087 470 2 114 974 41 599 n/a50-64 7 841 101 4 067 914 4 868 458 2 972 643 25 451 n/a65+ 6 303 405 3 833 081 4 110 608 2 192 797 7 693 n/aTotal 38 432 992 19 839 826 23 129 492 15 303 500 210 328 n/aSource: Polish Central Statistical Office and Eurostat1Poland Page 33. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration lawexist?Basic rules on legal migration are defined in following acts of law:• Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2 April 1997 (Journal of Laws from 1997 No.78 item 483);• Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (unified text - Journal of Laws from 2017 item2206 as amended) along with its implementing legislation – having effect to thirdcountry nationals;• Act of 14 July 2006 on entering the territory of the Republic of Poland, residence anddeparture from this territory of nationals of Member States of the European Unionand their family members along with its implementing legislation (Journal of LawsNo. 144, item. 1043, as amended) – having effect to EU citizens, non-EU EEA statescitizens and Swiss Confederation citizens and members of their families who jointhem or associate them.Polish legislation is according with relevant legislation and standards of the EU (Polandis EU Member State from 2004 and the Member of the Schengen zone from the endof 2007).Among most significant rules of Polish migration law it should be mentioned:- Two-tier administrative procedure,- Right to juridical revision of the case,- Requirement of legality of entry, stay and performing work activity,- Protection of national workforce (labour market test as general rule,with exceptions),- Targeted rules on stay and scope of rights, depending on the purpose of stay andthe migration category,- Future possibility to determine volume of admission (no effect to EU citizens).Other national legal acts regulating immigration to Poland are:• Act of 13 June 2003 on granting protection to foreigners within the territory of theRepublic of Poland• Act of 2 April 2009 on Polish citizenship• Act of 20 April 2004 on employment promotion and labour market institutions• Act of 9 November 2000 on repatriation• Act of 7 September 2007 on the Polish Chart/ Karta PolakaA very important factor determining the migration policy of Poland is the EU membership.As part of EU activities in the field of migration, two aspects may be distinguished:• internal migration taking place within the framework of free movement of persons(employees) between the Member States of the Community,• external migration (legal and illegal) from third countries.2Poland Page 4In principle, internal migrations are not subject to any limitations and are an importantinstrument ensuring equilibrium on the EU labor market. The Union is also developinga common policy on immigration (including asylum and external border controls).Regarding the immigration of third-country nationals, the EU takes measures in areas suchas entry and residence conditions, procedures for issuing long-term visas and residencepermits, defining the rights of third-country nationals residing legally in the state illegalimmigration and illegal stay or combating human trafficking, especially of women andchildren.The most important turning point in the field of migration policy in Poland over the lastfew years was the adoption of the strategic document entitled The Polish Migration Policy:current state of play and further actions of 2012 (supplemented by the Action Planapproved in 2014). However, due to unforeseen and dynamically changing circumstancesrelated in particular to the migration crisis in the EU, these documents were repealed inOctober 2016. Currently, work is ongoing to develop a new Polish migration policy.Other important governmental strategies and programs regarding migration policy are:• Government Programme for Cooperation with the Polish diaspora and Poles Abroadin 2015-2020• Responsible Development Strategy• Concept to Provide for a Sudden Inflow of a Large Number of Foreigners to theTerritory of the Republic of Poland• Human Capital Development Strategy4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?A foreigner is granted the refugee status if, as a result of well-founded fear of persecutionin his country of origin because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membershipin a particular social group, he cannot or do not want to enjoy the protection of that country.In addition to this foreigner who does not meet the conditions for a refugee status, isgranted subsidiary protection in cases where a return to the country of origin may exposehim to a real risk of serious harm by:1) a death penalty sentence or an execution to be carried out,2) torture, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment,3) a serious and individualised life or health hazard as a result of common use of violencetowards the civilians in a situation of an international or internal military conflict - and due tothis risk he may not or do not wish to return to his country of origin.5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?A Polish citizen may hold Polish citizenship and the citizenship (s) of another country (othercountries) at the same time.According to the Art.3. par.1 of the Act on Polish citizenship Polish citizen having at the sametime, citizenship of another State has the same rights and obligations as a person with onlyPolish citizenship. According to the Art.3. par.2 Polish citizen may not rely effectively andvalidly on citizenship granted by another state and rights and obligations arising from such3Poland Page 5citizenship before the authorities of the Republic of Poland (the principle of the sole Polishcitizenship in relationships with Polish authorities).This means that according to Polish law citizen of another country/ countries will be treatedonly as Polish citizen (he is not rely to be treated as foreigners by Polish authorities).6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit ?Foreigners staying in Poland legally, whose purpose of residence is work, can apply fora temporary residence and work permit or a temporary residence permit for the purpose ofwork in profession requiring high qualifications. These permits are issued by the Voivodesoffices (Office for Foreigners in appeal procedure) in the so-called procedure of oneapplication, resulting in issuing of one document authorizing the foreigner both to stay andwork in Poland, without the need of having additional work permit. As a rule, the applicationfor these permits must be supplemented with information from the Starosta (localgovernment authority) on the lack of possibility of satisfying the HR needs based on the locallabour market, which is obtained in the District Labour Office (Powiatowy Urząd Pracy) by theforeigner’s employer.The Act on Foreigners provides however some exceptions from a general rule of carrying onthe labour market test during the procedure of granting temporary residence permit for thepurpose of work (single permit for work and residence/ temporary residence permit for thepurposes of highly qualified employment/EU Blue Card) in case where:• Exist special demands of labour market: Occupation or position that third countrynational (TCN) performs or intends to perform is listed by Voivode (1 of 16 provincialgovernors competent inter alia in the matters of issuance for permits and temporaryresidence permits as 1st tier administrative body). The list is taking into account currentsituation on local (regional) labour market, in particular official number of unemployedand searching for a job in specific occupations/positions in relation to number of officiallyregistered job offers;• TCN who directly before the submission of an application had a work permit or thetemporary residence permit for the purpose of work for the same employer in the sameposition/occupation;• TCN who has graduated from Polish university or university located in one of EEAcountries or Swiss Confederation (3 years before submitting the application) or is PhDstudent;• TCN who has uninterruptedly and legally stayed in Poland for the period of more than3 years previous to submission the application;• Minister competent for labour matters adopted the regulation listing cases where labourmarket test is not necessary, taking into account rule of reciprocity or specify of theoccupation or sort of job;• Some specific regulations applies.To get that permit TCN has to file an application not later than on the last day of his/herlawful stay in the territory of Poland and inter alia:4Poland Page 6• Prove that he/she has a relevant purpose of stay for a period longer than 3 month andif he/she applies for an EU Blue Card has to present work contact of at least 1-yearduration;• Prove that he/she has regular and stable income sufficient financial resources to supporthim/herself and, if applicable, members of his/her family.The salary specified in the written agreement concluded by the foreigner with the entityentrusting the performance of work, based on which the work is to be performed, cannotbe lower than the salary of employees performing work of comparable type ona comparable position within the same working time. If TCN applies to be admitted ashigh quality workers (hqw), he/she has to prove as well that his/her annual grossremuneration resulting from the monthly or annual salary, specified in the contract, is notbe lower than the minimum wage specified in ordinance adapted by the ministercompetent for internal affairs. His/her salary cannot then be lower than the equivalent of150% of the average monthly wage and salary in the national economy in the precedingcalendar year, calculated in accordance with the announcement of the President of theCentral Statistical Office for a given calendar year.• Prove that he/she has required relevant sickness insurance and accommodation• Present a document evidencing fulfilment of qualification requirements and otherconditions in the case of the intention to perform work in a regulated profession• Present an evidence of having higher professional qualifications – if he/she applies foran EU Blue Card.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?Asylum seekers can obtain from the Office for Foreigners information about the asylum law,in addition asylum seekers who are not satisfied with the decision issued by the Head of theOffice for Foreigners can ask for a free legal aid during the appeal procedure.No specific advisory services are provided to regular migrants, however during administrativeprocedure the administrative body - acting accordingly to as well general rules of Polish Codeof procedure as well above-mentioned Acts on migration - provides all necessary support andinstructions on particular case.Art. 8 of the Code states that public administration bodies are required to conductproceedings in such a way as to increase the trust of citizens in the State bodies and publicawareness and appreciation of the law.Art. 9 of the Code put on the administrative body an obligation to provide full and properinformation to the parties regarding the factual and legal circumstances which may affect theestablishment of their rights and the obligations that are the subject of the administrativeproceedings. The bodies shall take care to ensure that parties and other persons involved inproceedings do not suffer any loss owing to ignorance of the law and shall therefore providethe necessary clarifications and advice.Pursuant to art. 7 of the above-mentioned Act on Foreigners, the authority conductingproceedings in cases concerning:(a) issuing a visa to a foreigner,5Poland Page 7(b) extending a visa issued to a foreigner or the period of stay covered by that visa,(c) granting a foreigner a temporary residence permit, permanent residence permit ora longterm resident’s European Union residence permit, hereinafter referred to as a “long-term resident's EU residence permit”,(d) obliging a foreigner to return to his/her country of origin, or instituting checks in relationto a foreigner, should instruct the foreigner in writing in a language understandable tohim/her about the procedure and its principles, as well as about the rights granted tohim/her and obligations imposed on him/her.As regards proceedings in matters concerning obliging a foreigner to return to his/hercountry of origin, the instruction include also information about the possibility of:(1) bringing an action against the entity entrusting the performance of work and enforcinga judgement made against such an entity in relation to outstanding remuneration, also inthe case of enforcing the decision on imposing the return obligation on the foreigner;(2) granting a foreigner a temporary residence permit for the duration of the criminalproceedings against the entity entrusting the performance of work in which the foreigneris the aggrieved party:(a) as a result of a criminal offence consisting in entrusting the performance of workunder conditions of extreme abuse referred to in Article 10(1) of the Act of 15 June2012 on the consequences of entrusting the performance of work to foreignersresiding unlawfully in the territory of the Republic of Poland (Dz. U., item 769),(b) a minor foreigner not holding a valid document entitling him/her to stay in theterritory of the Republic of Poland who has been entrusted the performance of work;(3) taking any other actions against the entity entrusting the performance of work,in particular notifying the competent authorities.Also Act of 14 July 2006 on entering the territory of the Republic of Poland, residence anddeparture from this territory of nationals of Member States of the European Union and theirfamily members, contains relevant procedural safeguards in that matter.Art. 6 of the Act states that the competent authorities are obliged to instruct Union citizensand their family members in the language they understand, of the following:(1) rules and procedures in such cases;(2) their rights and duties;(3) contents of decisions on the grounds of which they are refused the registration ofresidence or grounds for the annulment of such registration;(4) contents of decisions resulting in the refusal to issue documents referred to in the Actor on the grounds of which such documents are annulled;(5) contents of the decision on expulsion;(6) procedure and deadline for appeals.At the Polish Border Guard Headquarters website the information regarding e.g. the entryand residence conditions in the territory of the Republic of Poland6Poland Page 8https://www.strazgraniczna.pl/pl/cudzoziemcy/warunki-pobytu-cudzozie and support involuntary return is available. Moreover, the employees of the Foreigners Department of thePolish Border Guard Headquarters provides information by phone.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g.for civic education or vocational training?There are language courses provided by the government (Office for Foreigners)o Who is allowed to participate?Access to the language courses provided by the Office for Foreigners have foreigners(minors and adults) seeking for international protection in Poland (based on the Actof 13 June 2003 on granting protection to foreigners within the territory of theRepublic of Poland).o Are they free of charge?Yes, the courses of Polish language are free of charge for asylum seekers. Alsostudent’s books and pens etc. are free for participants.o Are there obligatory ones?No, participation in the course is voluntary.Additional information about repatriation to Poland people of Polish origin from the formerSoviet Union:According to the Act on repatriation Polish government is engaged in sourcing from theformer Soviet Union people of Polish origin, in most cases, the descendants of the citizensof ancient Republic of Poland (PL territory before 1939), victims of communist terror, forcedby violence methods to leave ancestral lands and settled contrary to his own will to the mostdifficult-to-live-in areas of the former Soviet Union. Act on repatriation foresees supports forthose Polish nationality people (not later than 5 years after recognizing of Polish citizenship):1. reintegration to the working market (art. 23) by his activation:- reimbursement of part of the costs incurred on raising professional qualifications- reimbursement of part of the costs incurred by the employer: (a) the creation of jobs,b) trainings c) salary, bonus and social insurance contributions.Access to the language courses as well as lessons on history and Polish tradition as need itare free of charge.9. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?o What are the conditions for the benefit payments?o How do the benefits relate to the average national income?Asylum seekers7Poland Page 9Based on the Act of 13 June 2003 on granting protection to foreigners within the territory ofthe Republic of Poland and Ordinance Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration of 19February 2016 on the amount of aid for foreigners applying for international protectionsocial assistance granted:a) Assistance in the centre for foreigners:• accommodation• full board collective or its equivalent in exchange for food (financial benefit), to whichchildren are entitled to three years of age and children attending kindergartens and primaryschools and junior high schools in the amount of 9 PLN per day• fixed cash assistance called "pocket money" in the amount of 50 PLN per month,• constant financial assistance for the purchase of sanitary and hygienic articles in theamount of 20 PLN per month,• a one-time financial assistance for the purchase of clothing and footwear in theamount of 140 PLN.Additionally foreigners can receive refunding of travel costs to: participate in theproceedings of the refugee status, appear on the medical examination or vaccination,in other justified cases and covering of costs of extracurricular activities and sports andrecreation for children.ORb) Social assistance outside of the centre for foreigners - benefit in cash covering the cost ofstay on the territory of Poland, if organisational considerations apply or it is necessary to:• ensure foreigners security, with particular regard to the situation of single women,• law enforcement,• protect and maintain family ties,• preparation of foreigners to pursue an independent life outside the centre afterreceiving the decision to grant refugee status or subsidiary protection.The amount of social assistance is governed by the Ordinance Ministry of Internal Affairsand Administration of 19 February 2016 on the amount of aid for foreigners applying forinternational protection.According to this regulation the amounts are paid in monthly rates as follows:No. of family Amount per day/per person Amount per month/per personmembersSingle 25 PLN (around 6,25 EUR) 750 PLN (around 187,5 EUR)2 persons 20 PLN (around 5 EUR) 600 PLN (around 150 EUR)3 persons 15 PLN (around 3,75 EUR) 450 PLN (around 112,5 EUR)4 persons 12,50 PLN (around 3 EUR) 375 PLN (around 93,75 EUR)Social assistance is financed from the budget of the Office for Foreigners.8Poland Page 10Moreover, irrespectively of the form of assistance, all asylum seekers have the right to:• access to public schools and necessary didactic materials (books and schoolmaterials);• free Polish lessons, access to classrooms in each facility;• health care coordinated by the one of the medical Private Limited Companyin Warsaw, pursuant to an agreement concluded with the Office for Foreigners, whichcovers: medical points in the centre – where doctor and nurses provide medical assistance,specialised treatment, psychological care – psychologists can be accessed in centers forforeigners, also by people who receive benefits outside the facility;• dental care – foreigners may obtain dental treatment in dentist’s offices with whichthe Office for Foreigners has signed agreements on the provision of the above mentionedservices;• assistance with a voluntary return.According to the announcement of the President of Statistics Poland average monthly grosswage and salary in national economy (the average national income) in 2017 was 4271,51PLN (around 1068 EUR).10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country /region and do they need visas and what are the visa regulations?Poland respects, under some conditions, right to family reunification. Within the meaningof the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (J.L. from 2017 Item 2206, Amended), termof “family members” includes the spouses (Marriage needs to be recognized by Polish law.Polygamous or same-sex marriages or are not recognized by the Polish law). The temporaryresidence permit for the purpose of family reunification with a Polish national is alsogranted (within the meaning of nuclear family) to a minor child of a TCN married to thatnational under Polish law, holding a temporary residence permit for a family member of anational of the Republic of Poland.Temporary residence shall also be granted in case where TCN is willing to reunify with themember of his/her family being as well TCN who already resides in Poland on the basisof one of the following residence titles:1. on the basis of permanent residence permit,2. on the basis of residence permit for EU long-term resident,3. has been granted a refugee status,4. has been granted a subsidiary protection,5. for the period of at least 2 years on the basis of subsequent temporary residence permit,including directly prior to submitting the application for temporary residence permitfor family members – on the basis of the permit which was granted to him/her for a periodof residence not shorter than 1 year,9Poland Page 116. on the basis of temporary residence permit in order to conduct research,7. on the basis of temporary residence permit which was granted in order to conductresearch when the foreigner has the residence document referred to in Article 1(2) a ofCouncil Regulation no. 1030/2002, with an annotation “Researcher” issued by other EUmember state, if the contract for the purpose of research project’s implementationconcluded with the relevant scientific unit of this state envisages conducting research alsoon the territory of the Republic of Poland,8. on the basis of temporary residence permit in order to perform highly qualifiedemployment,9. on the basis of ICT permit10. on the basis of the permit issued for long-term mobility11. in connection with residence permit for humanitarian reasons.Family member of the aforementioned foreigner is:1. the person who remains in marital relationship regarded by the law of the Republicof Poland;2. minor child of the foreigner and person who remains in marital relationship regardedby the law of the Republic of Poland, including adopted child;3. minor child of the foreigner, including adopted child who is the foreigner’s dependentand over whom the foreigner exercises actual parental authority;4. minor child of the person mentioned in (a), including adopted child who is his/herdependant and over whom he/she exercises actual parental authority;5. ascendant or adult who is responsible for the minor foreigner who has refugee statusor is under subsidiary protection, who resides on the territory of the Republic of Polandwithout care.The procedure for so-called family reunification with a Polish citizen (nuclear family)is simplified. Under the procedure, the applicant is not required to have health insurance ora source of stable and regular income, as in the case of family reunification with TCN.He/She musn’t prove as well that he/she has a guaranteed place of residence in Poland.Same above-mentioned simplified rules apply to a family member of a TCN who has beengranted refugee status or subsidiary protection, unless the application for a temporaryresidence permit for the purpose of family reunification is being filled before the lapse ofa 6-month period from the date of being granted refugee status or subsidiary protection. Inother case, the sponsor has to present the evidence of fulfilment of these conditions, listedby provisions of paragraph 1(2) and (3) of art. 159 of the Act of 12 Dec. 2013 on Foreigners.Polish Act on Foreigners provides as well further possibilities for family reunification,including the case:• where TCN is running with a citizen of Poland or of the other than Poland EU memberstate/EEA/Switzerland family life as defined by the European Convention on Human Rights• of a foreigner being a family member of a citizen of the EU member state, Iceland,Norway, the Principality of Lichtenstein or Switzerland living on the territory of the Republic10Poland Page 12of Poland, other than the one referred to in Article 2 item 4 of the Act of 14 July 2006on entry on the territory of the Republic of Poland, stay and leaving this territory by citizensof Member States of the European Union and their family members, who intends to stay onthe territory of the Republic of Poland together with this citizen – due to financialdependence on them or remaining with them in a household, in the country, where theforeigner came from, or serious health considerations requiring personal care on the part ofthis citizen.• for a minor child of a TCN who stays in the territory of Poland on basis of Polishnational visa or temporary residence permit, if the child was born in the period of validity ofthat visa or that permit.Family members of the EU citizens may reside in Poland as well under rules definedby Directive 2004/38/EC.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number ofevictions in 2015 / 2016 / 2017?o Who decides?In Poland decisions on return are issued by the Polish Border Guard authorities.As a rule the period for voluntary departure of between 15 and 30 days is granted. Wherenecessary this period might be extended up to one year.No period for voluntary departure is granted if there is a risk of absconding or the third-country national concerned poses a risk to public policy, public security or national security- in such cases the third-country national is escorted to the border.In 2015, 13.752 return decisions were issued (12.730 with period for voluntary departureand 1.022 without period for voluntary departure).In 2016, 20.046 return decisions were issued (19.161 with period for voluntary departureand 885 without period for voluntary departure).In 2017, 24.943 return decisions were issued (23.568 with period for voluntary departureand 1.375 without period for voluntary departure).12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realizethe right to certain supports, including (according to UN Committee on theRights of the Child):o a guardian or representative,If an unaccompanied minor submits a declaration of intent to apply for internationalprotection, the Border Guard authority who has accepted the declaration shallimmediately appear before the guardianship court competent for the minor's placeof residence with a request to appoint a guardian to represent the minor in theproceedings on granting international protection.11Poland Page 13The guardian should be appointed by the court within 3 days from the momentwhen the minor decided to ask for an international protection.Application for international protection on behalf of an unaccompanied minor, maybe submitted by a guardian or by representative of an international or non-governmental organization dealing with providing assistance to foreigners.o the right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,Foreign minors are directed to interventional education and care facilities in thewhole country, where they stay for 3 months with a possibility to prolong thatperiod. The Head of the Office for Foreigners is competent to cover the cost of aminor’s stay in an interventional education and care facility. After that period oftime, the courts should issue a decision on placing the minor in a socialisationeducation and care facility, for which the financial responsibility is borne by thecounty on the territory of which the facility where the minor is directed is located.o child-specific social, economic and educational rights?They have the same rights as Polish minor citizens in foster care family or emergencycare unit.o Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /return?o Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?Applicants applying for international protection have the right to maintain customs,national and cultural traditions, and to practice religious practices. The Act onGranting Protection to Foreigners in the Republic of Poland guarantees access tosocial assistance including the teaching of Polish language, the provision of essentialmaterials necessary for the study of the language, teaching aids for children takingup education and benefiting from care in public institutions primary or secondaryschools, covering - as far as possible - the costs of extracurricular, and sport -recreational activities, financing travel by public transport (Article 71 of the Act).o Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?In Poland Border Guard, who is responsible for register application for aninternational protection, in case of any doubts as to the age of the minor asylumseeker can with his consent undergo a medical examination, which should beconducted with the respect to his dignity. In case of denial to give consent for suchan examination asylum seeker will be treated as an adult person.12Poland Page 14o Are there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); best practiceexamples?13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / perasylum seeker / undocumented person, minor.Average costs of living of foreigner applying for international protection (asylum seeker) onthe territory of Poland covered by social assistance implemented by the Office for Foreignersin 2017.VALUE OF THEVALUE OF THE VALUE OF THE AVERAGE AVERAGE ANNUALAVERAGE DAILY COST MONTHLY COST FOR COST FORFOR MAINTAINING A MAINTAINING MAINTAINING AFOREIGNER FOREIGNERS FOREIGNERIN THE RENTAREA 89,46 PLN 2 719,72 PLN 32 636,60 PLNIN OWNCENTER 57,84 PLN 1 759,40 PLN 21 112,78 PLNON PRIVATEBENEFITS 31,58 PLN 960,56 PLN 11 526,69 PLNTOTAL 52,08 PLN 1 584,12 PLN 19 009,47 PLN14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation formigrants, asylum seekers (refugees, minors.)Reception centers: Asylum-seekers are provided with accommodation at one of the regularreception facilities. The decision on the centre of final accommodation is made by the Officefor Foreigners, taking into account the individual situation of each person/family including:relatives in other centres, special needs and requirements and, if possible, personalpreferences.There are 11 centres provided by the Office for Foreigners – 4 of them are owned by theOffice (including 2 reception facilities) and 7 accommodation centres which are rented fromcontractors. Those are selected in a public tender procedure based on following criteria:o Price = 45%;o Terms of housing = 30%;o Additional places = 10%;o Location and unemployment rate = 10%;o Distances from important places =5%Presently, the total capacity in the centres is 2231 beds and occupancy is 70%.13Poland Page 15Guarded centers: The person who has submitted the application for the internationalprotection may be detained and placed in a guarded centre in order to:- establish or to verify the applicant’s identity,- collect information needed for conducting the procedure (if there is riskof absconding);- issue or to execute the decision on obligation to return of a foreigner, if it is veryprobably that the foreigner has submitted the application only in order to avoid the returnprocedure;- protect the defence or safety of the state or safety and public order protection, and- to organise the transfer to the other Member State (EU Dublin III procedure, art. 28Regulation 604/2013).The decision on placement of the foreigner in a guarded center is issued by a court (at therequest of a Border Guard authority/Police) for the period of 60 days that can be prolongedmax up to 6 months.Disabled persons, unaccompanied minors, persons whose psychophysical state allowspresuming that s/he was a victim of violence, persons whose state of health does not allowto be detained are not detained.The detention of a foreigner applying for the international protection is treated as a measureof last resort. The Border Guard and courts first consider the possibility of imposing on theforeigner the alternatives to detention, such as:a) report at specified intervals to the Polish Border Guard authority,b) lodge a security deposit,c) reside at the indicated place- until the time when a decision on granting the international protection has become final.A ruling on the use of the above mentioned alternatives measures shall be issued by a BorderGuard authority that detained the foreigner or by the court.The foreigner has the right to appeal against to the above mentioned ruling to the relevantcourt within 7 days from the day of service of the ruling - the court shall examine the appealwithin 7 days.If the foreigner does not comply with the imposed obligations s/he shall be detained andplaced in a guarded center.A foreigner placed in a guarded center has, inter alia, the right to:- get in touch with the Polish state authorities, as well as the diplomatic mission or consularoffice of a foreign country (if she/he needed/wanted);- get in touch with NGOs or international organizations involved in the provisionof assistance to foreigners, including legal aid;- get in touch with his/her attorney;- use medical care and stay at a hospital or a medial institution performing medicalactivities such as full inpatient care and round-the-clock health services if his/her healthcondition so requires.14Poland Page 1615. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national / regional)?Financial support?The Office for Foreigners has extensive experience in implementing initiatives and projectsco-financed from foreign funds. In addition to its own activities, it implemented partnershipprojects in cooperation with non-governmental organizations, which usually complementsocial assistance provided by the Office.In the period between 2015 and 2017, 10 such projects were co-financed from AMIF funds.The scope of activities carried out under partnership projects included, among others,conducting classes, courses and workshops aimed at residents of centres for foreigners,development of their cultural and real-world competences, material support, social andpsychological counselling, and support in the development of systems and proceduresapplied in the implementation of social assistance by the Office's employees.In addition, a number of non-governmental organizations implement their own initiatives inaccommodation centres for foreigners addressed to residents- mainly of an educationaland recreational nature. Any organization wishing to carry out activities in centers forforeigners must submit an application to the Head of the office together with a declarationon no criminal record of all employees and volunteers who are to conduct their activities.15RussiaRussia Page 2Information on the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference Working Group onMigration and IntegrationThe current migration policy of the Russian Federation is regulated by a numberof laws and regulations. The legal framework of the migration legislation of theRussian Federation is comprised of: Federal Law No.115-FZ of July 25, 2002 "On theLegal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation" (hereinafter - Federal LawNo.115- FZ), Federal Law No.114- FZ of August 15, 1996 "On the procedure for exitfrom the Russian Federation and entry into the Russian Federation" (hereinafter -Federal Law No. 114- FZ); Federal Law No. 109- FZ of July 18, 2006 "On MigrationRegistration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation"(hereinafter - Federal Law No. 109- FZ); Federal Law No. 62- FZ of May 31, 2002"On Citizenship of the Russian Federation" (hereinafter - Federal Law No. 62-FZ),Federal Law No. 4528-1 of February 19, 1993 "On Refugees" (hereinafter - FederalLaw "On Refugees"), etc.The major regulatory legal act regulating the legal status of foreign citizens andstateless persons seeking or having received asylum on the territory of the RussianFederation is Federal Law "On Refugees" which regulates economic, social and legalguarantees of protection of the rights and legitimate interests of refugees.According to Federal Law "On Refugees", the term "refugee" shall apply to anyperson who is not a citizen of the Russian Federation and who owing to wellfoundedfear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, nationality,membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country ofhis nationality and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself ofthe protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside thecountry of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owingto such fear, is unwilling to return to it.Under Article 12 of Federal Law "On Refugees" temporary asylum can begranted to a foreign citizen or stateless person if they do not have grounds for beingrecognized as refugees but out of humanitarian considerations cannot be ordered(deported) out of the Russian Federation, including for health reasons. The procedurefor granting temporary asylum is defined by Decree No. 274 of the Government of theRussian Federation of April 9, 2001.Foreign citizens can apply for the recognition of a refugee status to: a territorialbody of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at a place of stay; the border controlat the Border Inspection Post of the Russian Federation; a diplomatic mission orconsular post of the Russian Federation outside the state of their citizenship.Foreign citizens can file an application for temporary asylum on the territory ofthe Russian Federation to a territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russiaat a place of stay.In accordance with Federal Law "On Refugees", persons who have been grantedRefugee Status and family members who have arrived with them are entitled to:medical care and medication on equal terms with the citizens of the Russian Federation;assistance in obtaining vocational training or in employment on equal terms with thecitizens of the Russian Federation; social protection, including social benefits on equalRussia Page 32terms with the citizens of the Russian Federation; receiving assistance in admitting thechildren of a person recognized as a refugee into state or municipal pre-schooleducational organizations and general education organizations, vocational educationorganizations and organizations of higher education on equal terms with the citizens ofthe Russian Federation.Moreover, foreign citizens recognized as refugees or granted temporary asylumon the territory of the Russian Federation are entitled to reside in TemporaryAccommodation Centers for the aforementioned category of persons on the territory ofthe Russian Federation (hereinafter - TAC). There are 4 such TACs today whereaccommodation and meals for non-working foreign citizens are carried out at theexpense of the government.Part one of Article 62 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation provides thata citizen of the Russian Federation may have citizenship of a foreign state (dualcitizenship) in accordance with Federal Law No. 62-FZ or an international agreementto which the Russian Federation is a party.The Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan have a current SettlementAgreement on Dual Citizenship of September 7, 1995 that provides, among otherthings, the rights and duties of both citizens and states.According to the provisions of Federal Law No. 62-FZ a citizen of the RussianFederation who has as well the second citizenship is considered by the RussianFederation solely as a citizen of the Russian Federation, except in cases provided byan international agreement to which the Russian Federation is a party or Federal LawNo. 62-FZ.At the same time under Federal Law No. 62-FZ foreign citizens acquiring thecitizenship of the Russian Federation are provided with general conditions forconferment of citizenship involving renunciation of the existing other citizenship.In addition, in accordance with Part 3 of Article 6 of Federal Law No. 62-FZ,unless otherwise provided by an international treaty to which the Russian Federationis a party or the specified Federal Law, a citizen of the Russian Federation (with theexception of the citizens of the Russian Federation permanently residing outside theRussian Federation) who also has another citizenship or a residence permit or othervalid document confirming the right to their permanent residence in a foreign countrymust file a written notification of having another citizenship or a document confirmingthe right to permanent residence in a foreign country to a territorial body of the Ministryof Internal Affairs of Russia at the place of residence of this citizen within the RussianFederation (in the absence of the latter - at a place of stay in the Russian Federation,and in the absence of a place of residence and a place of stay in the Russian Federation- at a place of his actual location in the Russian Federation) within sixty days from thedate of acquisition by this citizen of another citizenship or receipt of a documentconfirming the right for permanent residence in a foreign country.In accordance with Clause 4 of Article 13 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ, a foreigncitizen is entitled to perform labor activities starting with the age of eighteen uponhaving a work permit or a patent.Specifics of performing labor activities on the basis of work permit for certaincategories of foreign citizens are defined by Articles 132 ("Specifics of performingRussia Page 43labor activities by foreign citizens - highly qualified specialists"), 134 ("Specifics ofperforming labor activities by certain categories of foreign citizens studying in theRussian Federation in an intramural form " ), 135 ("Specifics of performing laboractivities by foreign citizens transferred to work in Russian divisions, representativeoffices and subsidiaries of foreign commercial organizations registered in the WorldTrade Organization member states") and 136 ("Specifics of performing labor activitiesby foreign citizens working for residents of the Free Port of Vladivostok ") of FederalLaw No. 115 -F3.The conditions for obtaining work permits for foreign citizens who arrived in theRussian Federation in accordance with a procedure requiring the receipt of a visa havea specific nature.Firstly, to perform labor activities in the Russian Federation a foreign citizenwho has arrived in the Russian Federation on the basis of a visa requires simultaneousobtaining of a work permit with an invitation to enter the Russian Federation so as toperform labor activities.Secondly, the specified category of foreign citizens receives work permits withinthe quota annually adopted by the Government of the Russian Federation.Thus, in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 18 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ,the quota for granting foreign citizens, with the exception of foreign citizens who havearrived in the Russian Federation in accordance with a procedure not requiring thereceipt of a visa, with invitations to enter the Russian Federation to perform laboractivities are annually approved by the Government of the Russian Federationfollowing the proposals of the executive authorities of constituencies of the RussianFederation, taking into account the demographic situation in the correspondingconstituency of the Russian Federation and the capabilities of this constituency toprovide conveniences for foreign citizens.The quota is distributed by the Ministry of Labor of Russia in accordance withthe Rules for preparation of proposals for determining the need to attract foreignemployees arriving in the Russian Federation on the basis of a visa, approving the quotafor the issuance of invitations to foreign citizens for entry into the Russian Federationto perform labor activities, as well as quotas for the issuance of work permits to foreigncitizens arriving in the Russian Federation on the basis of a visa approved by DecreeNo. 800 of the Government of the Russian Federation of September 12, 2013.Nevertheless, the provisions of the above mentioned Rules allow employers toapply for quota adjustments throughout the year and to be able to quickly attract foreignemployees.Quotas can be set depending on the profession, specialty, qualifications offoreign citizens, their country of origin and other economic and (or) social criteria,taking into account the regional characteristics of the labor market.After an employer receives the relevant quota, they can apply to the Ministry ofInternal Affairs of Russia or their territorial body with a request to provide foreigncitizens with an appropriate invitation for entry.At the same time, according to the Federal Law there exist preferences for certaincategories of foreign citizens, excluding the quoted procedure of issuing work permits.Russia Page 54For example, in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 132 of Federal Law No.115-FZ, the quota for issuing to foreign citizens invitations for entry into the RussianFederation to perform labor activities as well as the quota for issuing work permits toforeign citizens, permitted share of foreign employees working in various economicsectors and employed by business entities operating both in one or more constituententities of the Russian Federation as well as throughout the Russian Federation,established by the Government of the Russian Federation, do not include highlyqualified specialists and members of their families.Besides, the aforementioned procedure does not apply to foreign citizensstudying in the Russian Federation in an intramural form, foreign citizens transferredto work in Russian divisions, representative offices and subsidiaries of foreigncommercial organizations registered in the World Trade Organization member states,and foreign citizens working for residents of the Free Port of Vladivostok.Moreover, the quota does not apply to foreign citizens who are qualifiedprofessionals and are employed by their profession (specialty) in accordance with thelist of professions (specialties, positions) approved by the Federal executive body thatdevelops the state policy and regulation of employment of the population in agreementthe Federal executive body that develops the state policy and regulation in socialeconomic development and trade.The general condition for issuing a work permit for all categories of foreigncitizens is their performance of labor activities in strict conformity with the informationspecified in a valid work permit form.According to Paragraph 42 of Article 13 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ, a foreigncitizen temporarily residing in the Russian Federation is not entitled to perform laboractivities outside the constituency of the Russian Federation where their work permithas been issued as well as in profession (specialty, position, type of work ) other thanspecified in the work permit.In turn, employer or customer of works (services) is not entitled employ a foreigncitizen outside the constituency of the Russian Federation where the work permit ofthis foreign citizen has been issued or in profession (specialty, position, type of work)other than specified in the work permit.In case a foreigner performs labor activities other than in profession (specialty,position, type of labor activities) specified in the work permit, a foreign citizen may bebrought to administrative responsibility under Article 18.10 of the Code ofAdministrative Offenses of the Russian Federation ("Illegal Exercise by a ForeignCitizen or a Stateless Person of Labor Activities in the Russian Federation ").Moreover, there is also administrative responsibility for employers andcustomers of works (services) that employ foreign workers in profession (specialty,position, type of labor activities) other than specified in the work permit under Article18.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation ("IllegalEmployment of a Foreign Citizen or a Stateless Person in the Russian Federation").Foreign citizens can enter the Russian Federation and leave the RussianFederation if they have a visa and valid IDs that are recognized by the RussianFederation as such unless otherwise provided by international treaties to which theRussia Page 65Russian Federation is a party, Federal Law No. 114-FZ or Decrees of the President ofthe Russian Federation.Depending on the purpose of entry of a foreign citizen or a stateless person intothe Russian Federation and the purpose of their stay in the Russian Federation, a foreigncitizen or a stateless person is issued a visa that can be a diplomatic, business, ordinaryor transit visa or a temporary resident visa.The most appropriate visa for the purpose of family reunion is an ordinaryprivate visa.In accordance with Paragraph 28 of the Regulation on establishing the form of avisa, procedure and conditions for its processing and issuance, the extension of itsvalidity, its restoration in case of loss, as well as visa cancellation procedure approvedby Decree No. 335 of the Government of the Russian Federation of June 9, 2003, anordinary private visa is issued for a period of up to 3 months to foreign citizens enteringthe Russian Federation as a guest on the basis of an invitation for entry into the RussianFederation, issued upon the request of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a foreigncitizen who has obtained a residence permit in the Russian Federation, or a legal entityor on the basis of a decision of a Head of a diplomatic mission or consular office of theRussian Federation to issue a visa to a foreign citizen, adopted in writing in the formof an application by a citizen of the Russian Federation on a joint entry into the RussianFederation of members of their family (husband (wife), minor children, children of agewho are incapable of work) who are foreign citizens. An ordinary private visa is alsoissued to a foreign citizen in case of necessity to enter the Russian Federation foremergency treatment or as a result of serious illness or death of a close relative. Anordinary private visa can be a single or double entry visa.Moreover, in accordance with international agreements to which the RussianFederation is a party there may be established a special procedure and terms for issuingvisas for close relatives of citizens of the Russian Federation.The period of stay of a foreign citizen in the Russian Federation is determinedby the validity of the visa issued to him.A foreign citizen must leave the Russian Federation after the expiry of thepermitted period of stay.The issues of social and cultural adaptation and integration of migrants arewithin the competence of the Federal Agency for Nationality Affairs of Russia.Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of theRussian FederationRussia Page 7BSPC Working Group on Migration and Integration, 18 March 2018LIST OF QUESTIONSØ Regional parliaments have the opportunity to refer to the response of nationalparliaments if there are no corresponding figures available at regional level.Ø Additional documents please add per Mail.1. Name of national / regional parliament the Federal Assembly of the RussianFederation2. If available, please, provide information regarding the population structure of yourcountry / region regarding the people with migration background and age structure:Total population: 146,5 million/ male 67,9 m/ female 78,6 mwith migration background 7 million inhabitantsliving in urban areas 74 per centliving in rural areas 26 per centPopulation aged0-18 / ..........18-25 / ..........25-40 / .........40-50 / .........50-65 / .........65+ ............among those: female / with migration background / living in urban areas / living in ruralareas / undocumented (“cross-table”)3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration law exist?The current migration policy of the Russian Federation is regulated by a number of lawsand regulations. The legal framework of the migration legislation of the RussianFederation is comprised of: Federal Law No.115-FZ of July 25, 2002 "On the LegalStatus of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation", Federal Law No.114- FZ ofAugust 15, 1996 "On the procedure for exit from the Russian Federation and entry intothe Russian Federation"; Federal Law No. 109- FZ of July 18, 2006 "On MigrationRussia Page 8Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation";Federal Law No. 62- FZ of May 31, 2002 "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation",Federal Law No. 4528-1 of February 19, 1993 "On Refugees", etc.4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?Under Article 12 of Federal Law "On Refugees" temporary asylum can be granted to aforeign citizen or stateless person if they do not have grounds for being recognized asrefugees but out of humanitarian considerations cannot be ordered (deported) out of theRussian Federation, including for health reasons. The procedure for granting temporaryasylum is defined by Decree No. 274 of the Government of the Russian Federation ofApril 9, 2001.Foreign citizens can apply for the recognition of a refugee status to: a territorial body ofthe Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at a place of stay; the border control at theBorder Inspection Post of the Russian Federation; a diplomatic mission or consular postof the Russian Federation outside the state of their citizenship.Foreign citizens can file an application for temporary asylum on the territory of theRussian Federation to a territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at aplace of stay.5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?Part one of Article 62 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation provides that acitizen of the Russian Federation may have citizenship of a foreign state (dualcitizenship) in accordance with Federal Law No. 62-FZ or an international agreement towhich the Russian Federation is a party.According to the provisions of Federal Law No. 62-FZ a citizen of the RussianFederation who has as well the second citizenship is considered by the RussianFederation solely as a citizen of the Russian Federation, except in cases provided by aninternational agreement to which the Russian Federation is a party or Federal Law No.62-FZ.At the same time under Federal Law No. 62-FZ foreign citizens acquiring thecitizenship of the Russian Federation are provided with general conditions forconferment of citizenship involving renunciation of the existing other citizenship.In addition, in accordance with Part 3 of Article 6 of Federal Law No. 62-FZ, unlessotherwise provided by an international treaty to which the Russian Federation is a partyor the specified Federal Law, a citizen of the Russian Federation (with the exception ofthe citizens of the Russian Federation permanently residing outside the RussianFederation) who also has another citizenship or a residence permit or other validdocument confirming the right to their permanent residence in a foreign country mustfile a written notification of having another citizenship or a document confirming theright to permanent residence in a foreign country to a territorial body of the Ministry ofInternal Affairs of Russia at the place of residence of this citizen within the RussianFederation (in the absence of the latter - at a place of stay in the Russian Federation, andRussia Page 9in the absence of a place of residence and a place of stay in the Russian Federation - at aplace of his actual location in the Russian Federation) within sixty days from the date ofacquisition by this citizen of another citizenship or receipt of a document confirming theright for permanent residence in a foreign country.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?The conditions for obtaining work permits for foreign citizens who arrived in theRussian Federation in accordance with a procedure requiring the receipt of a visa have aspecific nature.Firstly, to perform labor activities in the Russian Federation a foreign citizen who hasarrived in the Russian Federation on the basis of a visa requires simultaneous obtainingof a work permit with an invitation to enter the Russian Federation so as to performlabor activities.Secondly, the specified category of foreign citizens receives work permits within thequota annually adopted by the Government of the Russian Federation.The general condition for issuing a work permit for all categories of foreign citizens istheir performance of labor activities in strict conformity with the information specifiedin a valid work permit form.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?Foreign citizens can apply for the recognition of a refugee status to: a territorial body ofthe Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at a place of stay; the border control at theBorder Inspection Post of the Russian Federation; a diplomatic mission or consular postof the Russian Federation outside the state of their citizenship.Foreign citizens can file an application for temporary asylum on the territory of theRussian Federation to a territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at aplace of stay.8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses or courses e.g. forcivic education or vocational training?Who is allowed to participate?oAre they free of charge?oAre there obligatory ones?o9. What kind of benefits exists for migrants and asylum seekers?What are the conditions for the benefit payments?oHow do the benefits relate to the average national income?oForeign citizens who arrived in the Russian Federation receive work permits within thequota annually adopted by the Government of the Russian Federation.Thus, in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 18 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ, thequota for granting foreign citizens, with the exception of foreign citizens who havearrived in the Russian Federation in accordance with a procedure not requiring thereceipt of a visa, with invitations to enter the Russian Federation to perform laborRussia Page 10activities are annually approved by the Government of the Russian Federation followingthe proposals of the executive authorities of constituencies of the Russian Federation,taking into account the demographic situation in the corresponding constituency of theRussian Federation and the capabilities of this constituency to provide conveniences forforeign citizens.The quota is distributed by the Ministry of Labor of Russia in accordance with the Rulesfor preparation of proposals for determining the need to attract foreign employeesarriving in the Russian Federation on the basis of a visa, approving the quota for theissuance of invitations to foreign citizens for entry into the Russian Federation toperform labor activities, as well as quotas for the issuance of work permits to foreigncitizens arriving in the Russian Federation on the basis of a visa approved by DecreeNo. 800 of the Government of the Russian Federation of September 12, 2013.Quotas can be set depending on the profession, specialty, qualifications of foreigncitizens, their country of origin and other economic and (or) social criteria, taking intoaccount the regional characteristics of the labor market.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification? Under which conditions are relativesallowed to take residence in your country / region and do they need visas and what arethe visa regulations?The most appropriate visa for the purpose of family reunion is an ordinary private visa.In accordance with Paragraph 28 of the Regulation on establishing the form of a visa,procedure and conditions for its processing and issuance, the extension of its validity, itsrestoration in case of loss, as well as visa cancellation procedure approved by DecreeNo. 335 of the Government of the Russian Federation of June 9, 2003, an ordinaryprivate visa is issued for a period of up to 3 months to foreign citizens entering theRussian Federation as a guest on the basis of an invitation for entry into the RussianFederation, issued upon the request of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a foreigncitizen who has obtained a residence permit in the Russian Federation, or a legal entityor on the basis of a decision of a Head of a diplomatic mission or consular office of theRussian Federation to issue a visa to a foreign citizen, adopted in writing in the form ofan application by a citizen of the Russian Federation on a joint entry into the RussianFederation of members of their family (husband (wife), minor children, children of agewho are incapable of work) who are foreign citizens. An ordinary private visa is alsoissued to a foreign citizen in case of necessity to enter the Russian Federation foremergency treatment or as a result of serious illness or death of a close relative. Anordinary private visa can be a single or double entry visa.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number ofevictions in 2015 / 2016 / 2017?Who decides?o12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realize theright to certain supports, including (according to UN Committee on the Rights of theChild):a guardian or representative,oRussia Page 11the right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,ochild-specific social, economic and educational rights?oDo you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?oIs there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?oAre there procedures to identify ostensible minors?oAre there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); best practiceoexamples?13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylum seeker /undocumented person, minor.14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation for migrants,asylum seekers (refugees, minors.)In accordance with Federal Law "On Refugees", persons who have been grantedRefugee Status and family members who have arrived with them are entitled to: medicalcare and medication on equal terms with the citizens of the Russian Federation;assistance in obtaining vocational training or in employment on equal terms with thecitizens of the Russian Federation; social protection, including social benefits on equalterms with the citizens of the Russian Federation; receiving assistance in admitting thechildren of a person recognized as a refugee into state or municipal pre-schooleducational organizations and general education organizations, vocational educationorganizations and organizations of higher education on equal terms with the citizens ofthe Russian Federation.Foreign citizens recognized as refugees or granted temporary asylum on the territory ofthe Russian Federation are entitled to reside in Temporary Accommodation Centers forthe aforementioned category of persons on the territory of the Russian Federation(hereinafter - TAC). There are 4 such TACs today where accommodation and meals fornon-working foreign citizens are carried out at the expense of the government.15. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national / regional)? Financialsupport?Schleswig-HolsteinSchleswig-Holstein Page 2– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 3– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 4– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 5– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 6– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 7– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 8– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 9– Electronic FormSchleswig-Holstein Page 10– Electronic FormSwedenSweden Page 2Attachment 5.1 Sec Lev 16.1.2018DraftLIST OF QUESTIONS collected by the WG on migration & integrationØ Regional parliaments have the opportunity to refer to the response of nationalparliaments if there are no corresponding figures available at regional level.Ø Additional documents please add per Mail.1. Name of national / regional parliamentThe Swedish Parliament - Riksdagen2. Please provide information regarding the population structure of your country / regionregarding the people with migration background and age structure:Population aged 0-18 / 18-25 / 25-40 / 40-50 / 50-65 / 65+among those: female / with migration background / living in urban areas / living inrural areas / undocumented (“cross-table”)2016 0-18 18-25 25-40 40-50 50-65 65+Swedish background 1 666 998 741 281 1 434 662 1 066 570 1 516 795 1 718 546men 857 614 380 628 737 087 546 933 768 329 797 797women 933 332 360 653 697 575 519 637 748 466 920 749Foreign background 516 728 259 170 658 620 379 191 402 391 258 311men 268 653 137 909 336 888 187 594 198 238 114 648women 248 075 121 261 321 732 191 597 204 153 143 663Statistics on people with migration background living in urban/rural areas andundocumented is not available.3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does an immigration law exist?Immigration is regulated under the Aliens Act (2005:716) and the Aliens Ordinance (2006:97).4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?Refugees and persons otherwise in need of protection who are in Sweden are entitled to aresidence permit. According to the Aliens Act (2005:716) Chapter 4, Section 1 a ‘refugee’means an alien who is outside the country of the alien’s nationality, because he or she feels awell-founded fear of persecution on grounds of race, nationality, religious or political belief,or on grounds of gender, sexual orientation or other membership of a particular social groupand is unable, or because of his or her fear is unwilling, to avail himself or herself of theprotection of that country.This applies irrespective of whether it is the authorities of the country that are responsiblefor the alien being subjected to persecution or these authorities cannot be assumed to offerprotection against persecution by private individuals.Sweden Page 3A stateless alien shall also be considered a refugee if he or she is, for the same reasons thatare specified in the first paragraph, outside the country in which he or she has previously hadhis or her usual place of residence and is unable or, because of fear, unwilling to returnthere.A ‘person otherwise in need of protection’ is an alien who in cases other than those referredto in Section 1 is outside the country of the alien’s nationality, because he or she 1) feels awell-founded fear of suffering the death penalty or being subjected to corporal punishment,torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, 2) needs protectionbecause of external or internal armed conflict or, because of other severe conflicts in thecountry of origin, feels a well-founded fear of beingsubjected to serious abuses or 3) is unable to return to the country of origin because of anenvironmental disaster. The corresponding applies to a stateless alien who is outside thecountry in which he or she has previously had his or her usual place of residence.5. Does your country allow for dual citizenship? Under which conditions?Sweden allows dual citizenship. There are no special conditions to dual citizenship in Sweden.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?According to the Aliens Act (2005:716) Chapter 6 section 2, a work permit may be granted toan alien who has been offered employment, if 1) the employment enables the alien tosupport himself or herself, and 2) the pay, insurance cover and other terms of employmentare no worse than the terms that follows from Swedish collective agreements or practicewithin the profession or sector. The position must also have been advertised in Sweden andwithin EU/EES and Switzerland for a minimum of ten days. A work permit may also begranted to an alien who is participating in an international exchange or if it follows from aninternational agreement or an agreement with another country.A work permit may not be granted for a period longer than two years. Nor may it refer to aperiod longer than the period of employment. The aggregate period of the work permit shallbe linked to a particular employer and refer to a certain kind of work. After an aggregatepermit period of two years, the permit shall only be linked to a particular kind of work.An alien who wants a work permit in Sweden must have applied for and been granted such apermit before entering the country. An application for a work permit may not be approvedafter entry except in certain cases referred to in Chapter 5, Section 18, second paragraph andSection 19 of the Aliens Act, which provisions shall apply by analogy where work permits areconcerned.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers, refugees) exist?Yes, asylum seekers and people that recently received a residence permit get informationand support from the Migration Agency and the Employent service (Arbetsförmedlingen).8. Are integration courses provided?Yes, integration courses are provided. The Employment service (Arbetsförmedlingen) areresponsible for integration courses in the labor market. The municipalities are responsible forlanguage courses and society information.Sweden Page 4o Who is allowed to participate?People who recently received a residence permit in Sweden are allowed toparticipate.o Are they free of charge?Yes, they are free of charge.o Are there obligatory ones?Yes, people who recently received a residence permit in Sweden must participate.9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?Asylum seekers have the right to accommodation provided by the Migration Agency and tofinancial support if the asylum seeker do not have the own ability to support him or herself.In accommodation where food is included the daily compensation is24 kr/day for adults who are alone19 kr/day per person for adults who share household expenses12 kr/day for children up to and including 17 years of ageIn accommodation where food is not included the daily compensation is71 kr/day for adults who are alone61 kr/day per person for adults who share household expenses37 kr/day for children 0–3 years old43 kr/day for children 4–10 years old50 kr/day for children 11–17 years oldThere are other financial support that asylum seekers can apply for.Asylum seekers in Sweden have the right to acute health and dental care and health carewhich cannot wait. All asylum seeking children have the right to attend school and have thesame right to all health care as children who live in Sweden.o What are the conditions for the benefit payments?The conditions for when an asylum seeker loses his or her right to benefits are stated ini.e. the Law on Reception of Asylum Seekers and Others (1994:137). Such conditionsmay be that the asylum seeker does not cooperate in the asylum process.o How do the benefits relate to the average national income?The average national monthly income in Sweden is 32 800 SEK. The maximum financialsupport for an asylum seeker (except special financial support) on a monthly basis is2 201 SEK.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence in your country / regionand do they need visas and what are the visa regulations?Unless otherwise provided in Sections 17–17b of chapter 5 of the Aliens Act, a residence permitshall (according to ch 5 section 3) be given to: 1 an alien who is a spouse or cohabiting partner ofSweden Page 5someone who is resident in or has been granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden, 2 a childwho is an alien, is unmarried and a) has a parent who is resident in or has been granted aresidence permit to settle in Sweden or b) has a parent who is married to or cohabiting partnerof someone who is resident in or has been granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden, 3 achild who is an alien, is unmarried and has been adopted or is intended for adoption by someonewho at the time of the adoption decision was and who still is resident in or has been granted aresidence permit to settle in Sweden, with some exceptions.Residence permit shall also be given to an alien who is a parent of an unmarried alien child whois a refugee or a person otherwise in need of protection, if the child arrived in Sweden separatelyfrom both parents or from another adult person who may be regarded as having taken the placeof the parents, or if the child has been left alone after arrival.Unless otherwise provided in Section 17, second paragraph, a residence permit may be given to1 an alien who intends to marry or enter into a cohabitee relationship with a person who isresident in or who has been granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden, if the relationshipappears to be serious and there are no special grounds not to give a permit, 2 an alien who insome way other than those referred to in Section 3 or in this Section is a close relative ofsomeone who is resident in or who has been granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden, ifhe or she has been a member of the same household as that person and there exists a specialrelationship of dependence between the relatives that already existed in the country of origin, 3an alien who is to exercise access rights that are not of limited scope to a child that is resident inSweden and 4 an alien who is of Swedish origin or has lived in Sweden on a residence permit fora long time.If an alien has been given a residence permit under the first paragraph, point 1, a residencepermit for the same period shall be given to unmarried children of the alien.Section 17 states that residence permit shall be denied if i.e. the alien constitutes a threat topublic order and security or that the family members do not intend to live together.11. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities and the number of evictionsin 2015 / 2016 / 2017?The number of completed returns in 2015: 14 047 2016: 20 142 2017: 13 212o Who decides?The Swedish Migration Agency or the Police depending on type of case.12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors? How do you realize the right tocertain supports, including (according to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child):o a guardian or representative,All unaccompanied minors in Sweden are appointed a guardian ad litem.o the right to accommodation in a dedicated home or in a foster family,For unaccompanied minors there are there principal options of accommodation (andcare):Sweden Page 6a) Formal foster care family homes (familjehem). These are private homes certifiedto receive minors on behalf of municipal social services. Caregivers are notprofessionals.b) Residential care homes for children and young persons [Hem för vård ochboende, HVB]. These are operated by municipalities or by private actors(following procurement(. They are staffed by professionals.c) Supported accommodation (Stödboende) was introduced in 2016. Supportedaccommodation is intended for 16 to 20 year olds who are not in need of thelevel of care provided in formal foster care family homes or residential carehomes for children and young persons. Children aged 16 to 17 years of age areonly exceptionally placed in such supported accommodation.o child-specific social, economic and educational rights?All children and young adults have the same right to attend school and preschool asother children living in Sweden. The municipality where the children live isresponsible for making it possible for them to go to school like the other children andyoung adults in the municipality. This concerns preschool, compulsory school, andsecondary school. To be able to attend upper secondary school young adults seekingasylum must begin their studies before they turn 18.Children seeking asylum have the right to the same health care and dental care asother children living in Sweden. Dental care is free of charge for those under 18 yearsof age. In most county councils or regions, health care for children is free as well.o Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement / return?Depending on the circumstances of the case, family reunification in Sweden ispossible. Unaccompanied minors with refugee status have the right to familyreunification in Sweden.According to the Ordinance (1994:361) on reception of asylum-seekers and othersthe Swedish Migration Board shall make efforts to locate family members ofunaccompanied minors as soon as possible. Hence, the Board works actively to tracethe minor’s parents or other guardians. The best interest of the child shallalways be taken into account.Family tracing is usually carried out through dialogue with the competent authoritiesand NGOs in the country of origin.Article 10 of the Return Directive has been transposed into national legislation inSweden. This means that an unaccompanied minor cannot be returned unless theyare received by a family member, a nominated guardian or an appropriate receptionfacility in the country of return.Sweden is a member of the ERIN- cooperation programme which offers reintegrationsupport for people who have had their asylum application refused and have to returnhome.Sweden Page 7The Migration Agency also provides financial support to people returning to acountry where establishment is difficult due to severe conflicts. The re-establishmentsupport is equivalent to SEK 30,000 for each person over the age of 18, and SEK15,000 for children under the age of 18. A family can receive a maximum ofSEK 75,000.o Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?According to Swedish law a person becomes an adult when he or she turns 18. Thismeans that the person is no longer a child. The asylum seeking child will, in advance,during a “turning 18 meeting" receive information about what will happen when heor she turns 18 and becomes an adult. The person will henceforth be handledaccording to the rules that apply to adult asylum seekers.Accommodation and care is no longer the responsibility of the social services and ifthe person needs help with accommodation he or she can stay at one of theMigration Agency's accommodation centres. However, the social services can insome situations offer accommodation and care until the person turns 21 (particularlyin situations where there are special needs). The municipalities have receivedtemporary additional state funding for being able to continue offeringaccommodation and care to a larger number of persons (former unaccompaniedminors) who have turned 18, but the practices among municipalities differ.o Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?Yes, the Swedish Alien’s Act enables the Swedish Migration Agency to assess the ageof a minor at the outset of the asylum procedure (legislative changes entered intoforce in Sweden on 1 may 2017, before the changes the assessment was made at theend of the procedure in connection with the asylum decision). If there are reasons todoubt whether or not the unaccompanied minor is under the age of 18, theMigration Agency will assess and make a formal temporary decision on the matter.Before the Agency takes the temporary decision, the applicant will be provided withthe possibility to undergo a voluntary medical age assessment. The temporarydecision can be appealed to the Migration Court.o Are there special regional programs (school, youth welfare); best practiceexamples?All children in Sweden, including migrant (including undocumented) children, have,by law, equal rights to education as children residing in Sweden. This means thatchildren shall be given, substantially, the same rights to education in preschool,elementary school and equivalent types of schools and secondary school and specialsecondary school, as children residing in the country. These children are also entitledto school transportation.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs per migrant / per asylum seeker /undocumented person, minor.The monthly average cost for an asylum seeker was in 2016 22 700 SEK. In the same year, theaverage cost for an unaccompanied minor was 88 800 SEK.Sweden Page 814. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation for migrants, asylumseekers (refugees, minors.)The Swedish Migration Agency offers a temporary accommodation for asylum seekerswaiting for a decision. The municipalities are responsible for accommodation forunaccompanied minors. For former asylum seekers that have received a residence permitthe municipalities have a responsibility to find housing if the person cannot findaccommodation him- or herself. The former asylum seeker can also apply for help withhousing costs from the municipalities.15. What are – from your point of view – possible pull-factors for people to come / repell-factors preventing people from coming?Possible pull-factors for Sweden are the Swedish welfare system, a perceived generousasylum system and large diasporas. Repell-factors could include the temporary act from 2016limiting the possibility for family reunification and granting temporary residence permitsinstead of permanent and temporary border controls.16. What is your idea how society gets in touch with migrants / migrant groups: are there bestpractice examples? (Was ist damit gemeint, ein Migrations-Integrationskonzept?)Civil society and local education forums play an important role in integration, throughcourses, mentor programs, local education programs etc.17. How is the involvement of volunteers organized (national/regional)? Financial support?Involvement of volunteers is organized both through civil society projects such as mentorprograms and through the business sector as well as the municipalities. The governmentgives some support to volunteer initiatives, but civil society, businesses and privateindividuals take a large responsibility without getting state support.18. Regarding the demographic development in your country / region:o Do you have a scenario planning?Statistics Sweden makes future scenarios for demographics.o Where do you see your country’s population in 20 years concerning demographicbalance?In 2048 the immigration is thought to be lower than in 2018, 100 000 in 2048, 130 000 in2018). Emigration is thought to be higher, 84 000 in 2048, 61 000 in 2018. Net migrationis anticipated to be lower, from 69 000 in 2018 to 23 000 in 2048. The population isthought to have increased from 10.2 million to 12.3 million.The share of foreign born people in Sweden will continue to increase, mostly in the agegroup 20-64. The share of foreign born people over 80 will increase the most.Sweden Page 9– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)22OverviewYou see all answers you have provided below . If you want to print your answers, please use thebutton 'Print' at the end of this page.1. Name of national / regional parliamentName The Swedish Parliament - RiksdagenResponsable Ralph HermanssonE-Mail ralph.hermansson@riksdagen.se2. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regiontotal 10619263female 5410893with migration backround 24744112a. If available, please, provide detailed information regarding thepopulation structure in your region / countryfemale 11with migration 5backroundtotal 2118-25female 5with migration 2https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 1 von 11Sweden Page 10– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)22backroundtotal 926-40female 10with migration 6backroundtotal 2041-50female 7with migration 4backroundtotal 1451-65female 9with migration 4backroundtotal 1866+female 10with migration 2backroundtotal 192. If available, please, provide information regarding the populationstructure of your country / regionOtherNo answerhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 2 von 11Sweden Page 11– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)222b. If available please give a prognosis for you country’s population in 20years concerning demographic development?Statistics Sweden makes future scenarios for demographics.In 2048 the immigration is thought to belower than in 2018, 100 000 in 2048, 130 000 in 2018). Emigration is thought to be higher, 84 000 in2048, 61 000 in 2018. Net migration is anticipated to be lower, from 69 000 in 2018 to 23 000 in2048. The population is thought to have increased from 10.2 million to 12.3 million.The share of foreign born people in Sweden will continue to increase, mostly in the age group 20-64.The share of foreign born people over 80 will increase the most.3. What are the significant rules for immigration? E. g. does animmigration law exist?☒ Yes, an immigration law exits.3a. What are the significant rules?No answer3b. What is the immigration law?Immigration is regulated under the Aliens Act (2005:716) and the Aliens Ordinance (2006:97).4. What are the requirements for the acceptance of asylum?1. Refugees and persons otherwise in need of protection who are in Sweden are entitled to aresidence permit. According to the Aliens Act (2005:716) Chapter 4, Section 1 a ‘refugee’ means analien who is outside the country of the alien’s nationality, because he or she feels a well-foundedfear of persecution on grounds of race, nationality, religious or political belief, or on grounds ofgender, sexual orientation or other membership of a particular social group and is unable, orbecause of his or her fear is unwilling, to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country.This applies irrespective of whether it is the authorities of the country that are responsible for thealien being subjected to persecution or these authorities cannot be assumed to offer protectionagainst persecution by private individuals.A stateless alien shall also be considered a refugee if he or she is, for the same reasons that arespecified in the first paragraph, outside the country in which he or she has previously had his or herusual place of residence and is unable or, because of fear, unwilling to return there.A ‘person otherwise in need of protection’ is an alien who in cases other than those referred to inSection 1 is outside the country of the alien’s nationality, because he or she 1) feels a well-foundedhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 3 von 11Sweden Page 12– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)22fear of suffering the death penalty or being subjected to corporal punishment, torture or otherinhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, 2) needs protection because of external or internalarmed conflict or, because of other severe conflicts in the country of origin, feels a well-foundedfear of being subjected to serious abuses or 3) is unable to return to the country of origin because ofan environmental disaster. The corresponding applies to a stateless alien who is outside the countryin which he or she has previously had his or her usual place of residence.However, there is a temporary act (2016:752) that is in effect between 20 July 2016 and 20 July2019 which states that residence permits on grounds of exceptionally or particularly distressingcircumstances may only be granted if refusing entry to or expelling the person would contravene aSwedish commitment under a convention. Persons otherwise in need of protection will not beentitled to a residence permit under the temporary act.5. Does your country allow dual citizenship?☒ Yes Sweden allows dual citizenship. There are no special conditions to dual citizenship in Sweden.6. What are the conditions to obtain a work permit?a work permit may be granted to an alien who has been offered employment if 1) the employmentenables the alien to support himself or herself,and 2) the pay, insurance cover and other terms ofemployment are no worse than the terms that follows from Swedish collective agreements orpractice within the profession or sectoralien who is participating in an international exchange or if it follows from an internationalagreement or an agreement with another countryA work permit may not be granted for a period longer than two yearsA work permit may not be granted to a period longer than the period of employment.The aggregate period of the work permit shall be linked to a particular employer and refer to acertain kind of work.After an aggregate permit period of two years, the permit shall only be linked to a particular kind ofwork.An alien who wants a work permit in Sweden must have applied for and been granted such a permitbefore entering the country.An application for a work permit may not be approved after entry except in certain cases referredto in Chapter 5, Section 18, second paragraph and Section 19 of the Aliens Act, which provisionsshall apply by analogy where work permits are concerned.7. Do advisory services for foreigners (or migrants, asylum seekers,refugees) exist?https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 4 von 11Sweden Page 13– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)221. Yes, asylum seekers and people that recently received a residence permit get information andsupport from the Migration Agency and the Employent service (Arbetsförmedlingen).8. Are courses provided by the government, such as language courses orcourses e.g. for civic education or vocational training?☒ Yes, the following courses are provided. Yes, integration courses are provided. The Employmentservice (Arbetsförmedlingen) are responsible for integration courses in the labor market. Themunicipalities are responsible for language courses and society information.8a. Who is allowed to participate in courses?☒ Refugees8b. Are the courses free of charge?☒ Yes8c. Are there obligatory courses?☒ Yes9. What kind of benefits exist for migrants / asylum seekers?right to accommodation provided by the Migration Agencyfinancial support if the asylum seeker do not have the own ability to support him or herselfIn accommodation where food is included the daily compensation is 24 kr/day for adults who arealone 19 kr/day per person for adults who share household expenses 12 kr/day for children up toand including 17 years of ageIn accommodation where food is not included the daily compensation is 71 kr/day for adults who arealone 61 kr/day per person for adults who share household expenses 37 kr/day for children 0–3 yearsold 43 kr/day for children 4–10 years old 50 kr/day for children 11–17 years oldThere are other financial support that asylum seekers can apply for.Asylum seekers in Sweden have the right to acute health and dental care and health care whichcannot wait.All asylum seeking children have the right to attend school and have the same right to all healthcare as children who live in Sweden.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 5 von 11Sweden Page 14– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)229a. What are the conditions for the benefit payments?The conditions for when an asylum seeker loses his or her right to benefits are stated in i.e. the Lawon Reception of Asylum Seekers and Others (1994:137). Such conditions may be that the asylumseeker does not cooperate in the asylum process.9b. How do the benefits relate to the average national income?The average national monthly income in Sweden is 32 800 SEK. The maximum financial support foran asylum seeker (except special financial support) on a monthly basis is 2 201 SEK.10. Are there possibilities for family-reunification?☒ Yes10a. Under which conditions are relatives allowed to take residence inyour country / region?an alien who is a spouse or cohabiting partner of someone who is resident in or has been granted aresidence permit to settle in Swedena child who is an alien, is unmarried and a) has a parent who is resident in or has been granted aresidence permit to settle in Sweden or b) has a parent who is married to or cohabiting partner ofsomeone who is resident in or has been granted a residence permit to settle in Swedena child who is an alien, is unmarried and has been adopted or is intended for adoption by someonewho at the time of the adoption decision was and who still is resident in or has been granted aresidence permit to settle in Sweden, with some exceptions.Residence permit shall also be given to an alien who is a parent of an unmarried alien child who is arefugee or a person otherwise in need of protection, if the child arrived in Sweden separately fromboth parents or from another adult person who may be regarded as having taken the place of theparents, or if the child has been left alone after arrival.an alien who intends to marry or enter into a cohabitee relationship with a person who is resident inor who has been granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden, if the relationship appears to beserious and there are no special grounds not to give a permit,an alien who in some way other than those referred to in Section 3 or in this Section is a closerelative of someone who is resident in or who has been granted a residence permit to settle inSweden, if he or she has been a member of the same household as that person and there exists aspecial relationship of dependence between the relatives that already existed in the country oforigin,https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 6 von 11Sweden Page 15– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)22an alien who is to exercise access rights that are not of limited scope to a child that is resident inSwedenan alien who is of Swedish origin or has lived in Sweden on a residence permit for a long time.If an alien has been given a residence permit under the first paragraph, point 1, a residence permitfor the same period shall be given to unmarried children of the alien.Section 17 states that residence permit shall be denied if i.e. the alien constitutes a threat to publicorder and security or that the family members do not intend to live together.Since July 2016 however, there is a temporary act limiting the rights to family reunification(2016:752) It will be applicable until 20 July 2019. According to that, asylum seekers who aredeemed eligible for subsidiary protection will not have the right to family reunification if they hadnot applied for asylum by 24 November 2015. However, if this would contravene a Swedishcommitment under a convention, a relative may be granted a residence permit.Asylum seekers who are given refugee status and who are granted temporary permits under the newtemporary act will continue to have the right to family reunification. This right will only apply tospouses, cohabiting partners and children under the age of 18. Reunification of spouses andcohabiting partners applies to both different-sex and same-sex couples. Child refugees will have theright to be reunified with their parents.Family member immigration will be subject to a maintenance requirement, which will be broadenedto include a requirement that the sponsor must be able to support family members who come toSweden. At present, the only requirement is that sponsors can support themselves.The maintenance requirement does not apply when the sponsor is a refugee or a person eligible forsubsidiary protection and the relative applies for a residence permit within the first three monthsafter the person eligible for protection has been granted a residence permit. Nor will themaintenance requirement apply if the sponsor is a child, or if the relative has applied for aresidence permit by the date on which the act enters into force.This means that the current exception to the maintenance requirement for family memberimmigration for Swedish citizens, citizens of other EEA states or Switzerland, and those who havelived in Sweden for more than four years, will be abolished.10b. Do families need visas for family-reunifications?No answer10c. What are the visa regulations for family-reunifictaions?No answerhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 7 von 11Sweden Page 16– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)2211. Could you inform us about the number of evictions activities?Evictions in 2015: 14047Evictions in 2016: 20142Evictions in 2017: 1321211a. Who decides to pursue an eviction?☒ Other Swedish Migration Agency or the Police12. How does your country deal with unaccompanied minors?a guardian or All unaccompanied minors in Sweden are appointed a guardian ad litem.representativethe right to For unaccompanied minors there are there principal options ofaccommodation in a accommodation (and care):dedicated home or ina foster family a) Formal foster care family homes (familjehem). These are private homescertified to receive minors on behalf of municipal social services. Caregiversare not professionals.b) Residential care homes for children and young persons [Hem för vård ochboende, HVB]. These are operated by municipalities or by private actors(following procurement(. They are staffed by professionals.c) Supported accommodation (Stödboende) was introduced in 2016.Supported accommodation is intended for 16 to 20 year olds who are not inneed of the level of care provided in formal foster care family homes orresidential care homes for children and young persons. Children aged 16 to17 years of age are only exceptionally placed in such supportedaccommodation.child-specific social, All children and young adults have the same right to attend school andeconomic and preschool as other children living in Sweden. The municipality where theeducational rights children live is responsible for making it possible for them to go to school likethe other children and young adults in the municipality. This concernspreschool, compulsory school, and secondary school. To be able to attendupper secondary school young adults seeking asylum must begin their studiesbefore they turn 18.Children seeking asylum have the right to the same health care and dentalhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 8 von 11Sweden Page 17– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)22care as other children living in Sweden. Dental care is free of charge forthose under 18 years of age. In most county councils or regions, health carefor children is free as well.12a. Do you have special programs for family unification / resettlement /return?☒ Yes Depending on the circumstances of the case, family reunification in Sweden is possible.Unaccompanied minors with refugee status have the right to family reunification in Sweden.According to the Ordinance (1994:361) on reception of asylum-seekers and others the SwedishMigration Board shall make efforts to locate family members of unaccompanied minors as soon aspossible. Hence, the Board works actively to trace the minor’s parents or other guardians. Thebest interest of the child shall always be taken into account. Family tracing is usually carried outthrough dialogue with the competent authorities and NGOs in the country of origin. Article 10 ofthe Return Directive has been transposed into national legislation in Sweden. This means that anunaccompanied minor cannot be returned unless they are received by a family member, anominated guardian or an appropriate reception facility in the country of return. Sweden is amember of the ERIN- cooperation programme which offers reintegration support for people whohave had their asylum application refused and have to return home. The Migration Agency alsoprovides financial support to people returning to a country where establishment is difficult due tosevere conflicts. The re-establishment support is equivalent to SEK 30,000 for each person overthe age of 18, and SEK 15,000 for children under the age of 18. A family can receive a maximumof SEK 75,000.12b. Is there a continued support upon turning 18 (reaching legal age)?☒ Yes According to Swedish law a person becomes an adult when he or she turns 18. This meansthat the person is no longer a child. The asylum seeking child will, in advance, during a “turning18 meeting" receive information about what will happen when he or she turns 18 and becomes anadult. The person will henceforth be handled according to the rules that apply to adult asylumseekers. Accommodation and care is no longer the responsibility of the social services and if theperson needs help with accommodation he or she can stay at one of the Migration Agency'saccommodation centres. However, the social services can in some situations offer accommodationand care until the person turns 21 (particularly in situations where there are special needs). Themunicipalities have received temporary additional state funding for being able to continueoffering accommodation and care to a larger number of persons (former unaccompanied minors)who have turned 18, but the practices among municipalities differ.12c. Are there procedures to identify ostensible minors?☒ Yes Yes, the Swedish Alien’s Act enables the Swedish Migration Agency to assess the age of ahttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 9 von 11Sweden Page 18– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)22minor at the outset of the asylum procedure (legislative changes entered into force in Sweden on1 may 2017, before the changes the assessment was made at the end of the procedure inconnection with the asylum decision). If there are reasons to doubt whether or not theunaccompanied minor is under the age of 18, the Migration Agency will assess and make a formaltemporary decision on the matter. Before the Agency takes the temporary decision, the applicantwill be provided with the possibility to undergo a voluntary medical age assessment. Thetemporary decision can be appealed to the Migration Court.12d. Are there special regional programs for unaccompanied minors(school, youth welfare); best practice examples?☒ Yes12e. Please provide examples for regional programs or best practiceexamples?All children in Sweden, including migrant (including undocumented) children, have, by law, equalrights to education as children residing in Sweden. This means that children shall be given,substantially, the same rights to education in preschool, elementary school and equivalent types ofschools and secondary school and special secondary school, as children residing in the country.These children are also entitled to school transportation.13. Please state – if possible – the average monthly costs:per asylum seeker 22700per minor 88800Currency SEK14. Please indicate how your country / region organises accommodation:for asylum seekers The Swedish Migration Agency offers a temporary accommodation for asylumseekers waiting for a decision.for refugees 1. For former asylum seekers that have received a residence permit themunicipalities have a responsibility to find housing if the person cannot findaccommodation him- or herself. The former asylum seeker can also apply forhelp with housing costs from the municipalities.for minors The municipalities are responsible for accommodation for unaccompaniedminors.https://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 10 von 11Sweden Page 19– Electronic FormBSPC Migration & Integration 13.03.18, 14)2215a. How is the involvement of volunteers organized ?☒ Other Involvement of volunteers is organized both through civil society projects such as mentorprograms and through the business sector as well as the municipalities. The government givessome support to volunteer initiatives, but civil society, businesses and private individuals take alarge responsibility without getting state support.15b. How ist the financial support of volunteers organized?1. Involvement of volunteers is organized both through civil society projects such as mentorprograms and through the business sector as well as the municipalities. The government gives somesupport to volunteer initiatives, but civil society, businesses and private individuals take a largeresponsibility without getting state support.PrintBack Pause the interview NextLeave and delete my dataAdministrator, BPSC Migration and Integration – 2018 94% completedhttps://www.soscisurvey.de/bspc2018/index.php?i=SS8XQ74DIAOC&rnd=EEMO Seite 11 von 11