Irregular Migration

Malta and Libya have signed an MoU, valid for three years with an option to extend for an additional year, that sets up coordination centres, one in Malta and one in Libya, funded by Malta to coordinate and support regulation of migrant boats from Libya to European countries. It further stipulates that Malta propose to the EU Commission for increased financial support to strengthen Libyan border security including “for the interception and follow-up of human trafficking activities in the search and rescue region of the Mediterranean basin.”

This announcement by the Lebanese General Security is to present and announce the procedures of regularization for the foreigners who entered and resided in Lebanon in an illegal manner.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship announced the extension of the exemption for “violators of the law of entry and residence of foreigners” and the extension starts from 18/8/2020 to 11/17/2020 whenever the violation occurred before 1/3/2020 and includes exempting them from all fines imposed on them, provided they leave the country.

Through this partnership, the Union of Comoros and the French Republic intend to jointly initiate a new dynamic of partnership and to make reciprocal commitments in terms of the fight against uncontrolled population movements and the safeguard of human lives at sea, and in development.

The MOU between Italy and Libya includes cooperation in combating irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and on reinforcing border security between the two countries. Libya and Italy also agreed to set up a joint operations centre to identify migrant smugglers and human traffickers, facilitating cooperation between the coastguards, the Department of Combatting Illegal Migration, the Libyan Attorney General, and intelligence services from both countries.

Decree No. 1061 waived the fine for overstaying visas, which was 20 Tunisian dinars for every week of irregular overstay in the country with no capping of fees, for vulnerable migrants including victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrant students wishing to leave the country.

The flexi-visa scheme enables regularization for migrants with irregular status working in “non-specialized occupations” through self-sponsorship, with the possibility to work for different employers in exchange for a fee. The purpose for introducing the Flexi-permit scheme was to combat irregular employment and that migrant workers benefiting from the scheme occupy jobs that are not sought by Bahrainis. In February 2019, the fee was increased as part of the National Employment Programme to promote the employment of Bahraini nationals, with a two-year permit costing BHD 1,469.