This publication explores the effects of COVID-19 on third-country nationals and the measures taken by states to manage residence permit and unemployment among migrant communities.

It is the first of a series of Informs launched by the European Migration Network (EMN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on the impact of COVID-19 in different areas of migration in the EU Members States, Norway and the UK. 

The report's key findings include:

• third-country nationals are especially affected by the impacts of the pandemic;
• many countries introduced temporary measures with regard to the processing of applications for, and issuance and renewal of, residence permits to prevent legally-residing migrants from falling into an irregular situation, and for those who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic;
• the measures taken include, inter alia, extension of authorisation to stay to migrants who were unable to leave because of the pandemic, facilitated online applications, easing of employment restrictions, and facilitated access to unemployment benefits for migrants

The Inform also explores the consequences of travel bans and analyses the measures taken to mobilise the migrant health workforce. See more about migrant key workers here.

The key findings of the report presented at a webinar providing further insights:

Other publications in the series look into:

• the pandemic's effects on international students - available here;
• maintaining key legal migration flows in times of pandemic - available here;
• reduction or loss of remittances - available here;
• return issues - available here.

Each Inform will be presented in a special webinar - for updates, check regularly the EMN publications page and EWSI.

The OECD also tracks the development and challenges related to migration management policies under COVID-19 here. Other resources on the COVID-19's effect on third-country nationals' integration find here.