SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Ministry of External Affairs | Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
On January 29, 2026, the European Commission presented the first-ever European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy, outlining a comprehensive policy framework for the next five years. The strategy prioritizes three core pillars: preventing illegal migration and breaking the business model of criminal smugglers, protecting those fleeing war while preventing asylum system abuse, and aggressively attracting global talent to boost EU competitiveness. To support these goals, the Commission has proposed a €81 billion budget for home affairs policies under the 2028–2034 financial framework, including €3 billion specifically to assist national authorities in implementing the new Pact on Migration and Asylum rules.
Strategic Visa Reform and Talent Attraction In parallel, the Commission adopted its first EU Visa Strategy and a specific Recommendation on attracting talent for innovation. This dual approach aims to make the EU a primary destination for researchers, startup founders, and highly skilled professionals by simplifying and digitizing bureaucratic processes.
India-EU Mobility Pact: Coinciding with these strategies, India and the EU signed a landmark Comprehensive Framework for Cooperation on Mobility on January 27, 2026. The pact creates a legal template for fast-tracked, 12-month permits for Indian students, researchers, and seasonal workers.
Digital Border Modernization: Modernization: The roll-out of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS (Q4 2026) will automate pre-departure checks, while full IT interoperability by 2028 will streamline legitimate travel for foreign and Indian professionals.
Support Structures: New European Legal Gateway Offices will be established to provide direct support to non-EU nationals and employers navigating the visa process.
Enhanced Enforcement and International Cooperation The strategy also signals a more assertive “migration diplomacy,” using leverage in trade, visa policy, and financial support to encourage partner countries to accept readmissions and strengthen their own asylum frameworks. For returns, the EU is moving toward a common European system based on a new Return Regulation, which includes exploring the establishment of “return hubs” and digitalized processes to improve the current low rate of effective returns—presently only one in four.
Safe Third Country and Enforcement Protocols A critical component of the strategy is the further strengthening of the "Safe Third Country" concept. This includes developing an official EU list of safe countries of origin—which may include India, Bangladesh, and Egypt—to accelerate the rejection of inadmissible asylum claims and facilitate returns. The EU is also exploring the establishment of "return hubs" and utilizing "migration diplomacy" to leverage trade and visa policy to ensure third-country cooperation on readmissions.
What is the “Recommendation on attracting talent for innovation”? The Recommendation is a policy instrument designed to encourage EU Member States to create “fast-track” pathways for students, researchers, and innovative entrepreneurs. It specifically advocates for shorter processing times, fewer required documents for residence permits, improved intra-EU mobility for professionals, and easier transitions from study or research roles into full-time employment or business ownership within the Union.
Policy Relevance
The 2026 strategies mark a fundamental shift in how the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Skill Development (MSDE) must manage the India-EU corridor.
Capitalizing on “Uncapped” Europe: As traditional destinations like the U.S., Canada, and the UK implement stricter visa caps, the EU’s “talent race” provides a critical alternative for Indian students and STEM professionals.
Mutual Recognition of Skills: The alignment of qualification frameworks reduces the “re-licensing” hurdles for Indian engineers and healthcare workers, directly increasing the global marketability of the Indian workforce.
Addressing “Safe Country” Designations: India’s likely inclusion on the “Safe Country of Origin” list is a double-edged sword: while it validates India’s internal stability, it also mandates stricter MEA cooperation on the return of irregular migrants to protect legal mobility pathways.
Strategic Diversification: The shift from foundational dialogues to the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and Horizon Europe association ensures that Indian innovation is embedded in Europe’s strategic autonomy goals.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the MEA leverage the new "European Legal Gateway Office" to ensure that Indian SMEs and startup founders receive priority "long-stay" visa processing comparable to large IT firms?
Follow the full news here: European Commission presents a five-year strategy on migration
Commission adopts Visa Strategy and new recommendation on attracting talent for innovation