Flanders Mandates Pre-Arrival Integration Course for Immigrants

This concerns migrant workers or people arriving in Flanders for family reunification. Starting this autumn, they will take an online social orientation course from their country of origin, a mandatory step in their path to citizenship, reports La Libre.

The measure, taken on Friday, is provided for in the regional and community government agreement (N-VA/ Vooruit/ CD&V). In statements reported Tuesday by the Flemish press, Integration Minister Hilde Crevits (CD&V) said that experiments were recently conducted in Morocco and other countries, and proved conclusive.

"People who come to Flanders for family reunification or economic migration often face challenges in practice," said Minister Crevits, citing difficulties in assimilating norms and values, understanding labor law or social legislation.

The integration process begins as soon as the visa application is submitted in their country of origin, she added, specifying that those concerned will benefit from the assistance of the competent services of Flanders. It continues upon their arrival in the country.