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The key objective of the study is to analyse the nexus between visa policy and migration management and control, including tackling irregular migration.
This EMN study will thus serve to inform policymakers and analysts about the effects of visa policy on the management of migration, both in terms of facilitating legal migration and preventing irregular migration. In addition, the study should generate evidence concerning the effectiveness of different strategies to use visa policy to manage migration, including co-operation with third countries, particularly concerning facilitation and bilateral/multilateral agreements and highlighting best practice, as well as helping to contextualise national policies and practices by providing an overview of policy in this area across the EU. Finally, the study will explore the effects of EU policy and legislation on national policymaking and practices.
Consistent with the remit of EMN and with previous studies, the study will focus on third-country nationals.
The specific aims of the study are to:
• Outline the policy and legal framework with regard to the use of Schengen and national visas in EU Member States plus Norway for managing migration and/or preventing irregular migration, including an analysis of the (EU/national) policy and legislation in this area (e.g. the preparations for the implementation of the Visa Information System, the Visa Code, etc.).
• Provide a comprehensive overview of the practical implementation and organisation of national visa policy and legislation, by looking at the three main stages of the visa procedure (Application, Examination, Entry and stay), for national visas, at different categories of entry purposes (research, employment, education, etc) and by paying particular attention to visa issuance for the purpose of legal immigration and its link with residence permit issuance, and visa procedures for the purpose of preventing irregular migration;
• Provide information on the practical implementation of the immigration acquis which obliges Member States to grant third-country nationals admitted under those schemes every facility for obtaining the requisite visas;
• Explore the link between visa policy and migration management through two case studies on cooperation with third countries, including an analysis of statistical data and empirical evidence;
• Explore the effects of EU policy and legislation on national policy, procedures and practices;
• Present, review and analyse other available statistical data on the issuing of visas;
• Draw conclusions on the extent to which there is a nexus between visa policy and the management of migration.