After the Council’s adoption of the new visa rules, travellers to the Schengen area will be able to apply for their visa online. The new visa rules will modernise, simplify, and harmonise visa procedures through digitalisation, although the provisions will not be applicable immediately.

The 8th edition of the European Migration Forum takes place on 4 and 5 December, in Brussels under the theme: ‘Migrants in Europe today: specific needs, skills and communication for stronger inclusion’.

The municipality of Cascais, Portugal, has rehabilitated two buildings for the accommodation of displaced people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The project is co-funded by the EU with EUR 900,000, which cover 75% of its cost. This EU funded project new standards for humanitarian reception in the EU.

28 November 2023: The Commission adopted new legislation to fight migrant smuggling. It is also hosting an International Conference in Brussels, launching a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling. These initiatives introduce a new legal, operational and international cooperation framework.

On 22 November 2023, researchers, policy makers, practitioners and civil society met to discuss how ongoing anti-corruption research projects can lead to new and enhanced tools to prevent, detect and fight corruption. As part of CERIS, Commission staff presented the 2023 anti-corruption package.

On 23 November, the Commission adopted a recommendation for increased cooperation between Member States in the Schengen area. The recommendation promotes alternative measures to internal border controls as well as increased cooperation and information exchange.

In November 2023, the European Commission selected a number of projects to reinforce migration management and security at the EU borders. In total EUR 259 million were made available as part of Member States’ national programmes. Actions can start directly and will be implemented by Member States.

On 13 and 14 November 2023, representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Czechia, and Niue, visited Brussels to review the EU’s implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption. This country visit is an important milestone in the engagement of the EU with UNCAC.

On 15 November 2023, the European Commission presented a series of initiatives to make the EU more attractive to talent from third countries and help address critical labour shortages. The Skills and Talent Mobility package will help match employers in the EU with jobseekers from non-EU countries.