The new rules merge two existing directives (on students and on researchers) to ensure that:
-
Students and researchers may stay at least 9 months after finishing their studies or research in order to look for a job or to set up a business, which should also ensure that Europe benefits from their skills,
-
Students and researchers may move more easily within the EU during their stay. In future, they will not need to file a new visa application, but only to notify the member state to which they are moving, for example to do a 1-semester exchange. Researchers will also be able to move for longer periods than those currently allowed,
-
Researchers have the right to bring their family members with them and these family members are entitled to work during their stay in Europe, and students have the right to work at least 15 hours a week.