Europe Immigration News

European Union Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom is heading a European Agenda for Integration. The EU feels that there is a need for better integration of Europe's immigrants.

"The benefits of migration can only be fully achieved if we have good and effective integration," Malmstrom said.

"Unfortunately, many integration measures have failed in meeting their objectives," she added.

Spain will be introducing work visa requirements for citizens of Romania.

Spain was one of four European Union countries to lift work restrictions on Romanian citizens when Romania joined the EU in 2007. However, due to Spain's high unemployment rate of 21.3 percent, the country has chosen to impose work visa requirements.

The global financial crisis of a few years ago had a huge effect on levels of immigration. There was a significant reduction in immigration to the European Union, according to new figures from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

According to the report, immigration to some countries declined by almost 50 percent in 2009. The Czech Republic saw immigration drop by 46 percent and Ireland saw a 42 percent decline.

European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom says that immigration and visa free travel are beneficial to the EU. Her comments come after Denmark brought in tougher border controls in response to growing immigration from North Africa.

Germany is facing increased skills shortages. Germany is looking abroad for highly skilled immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled occupations.

New proposals endorsed by the German cabinet will exempt mechanical and electrical engineers, automobile builders, and medical professionals from rules which allow German firms to hire overseas workers from outside the EU only after they have gone to a great deal of trouble to show that they cannot find suitable candidates who already have the right to work in Germany.

Ireland will review its Business Permission visa policy requirements in an attempt to spur entreprenuership and boost the country's ailing economy.

Eoghan Murphy, a Fine Gael TD for Dublin South-East, proposed changes to the existing Business Permission visa scheme during a recent debate; Proposals include reducing the funding requirement for an applicant's startup company under the entrepreneur visa scheme from €300,000 to €200,000.