Mobility with the Levant
Going to the Levant
Going into the Levant
Going to Jordan and/or Lebanon from Europe does not require a long-process of visa application. Instead, for both countries, it is possible to apply and obtain a visa simply at arrival in the country, at the airport of arrival. Travellers can apply for a one-entry visa, for a short stay (maximum 1 month), paying a fee. The officials issuing the visa may ask to see the accommodation booking, a round-trip flight reservation, and a bank statement (as a proof of the capacity of the traveller to pay the stay in the country). Recently, health documentation is also required to cope with the regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost for the visa is approximately around 50 to 100 euro.
Going to Europe
Going to Europe
Travelling into Europe for students and staff of Levantine Higher Education Institutions, and more generally for third-country nationals, is regulated by Directive 2016/801. Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 rules on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing. The text of the Directive can be accessed at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/801/oj.
As a general rule, a visa is needed to enter Europe, for a set period of time and for a justified reason. The visa is issued by the European embassy and/or Consulate in Jordan, Lebanon, or Syria. In order to get the visa, travellers must comply with set conditions, such as demonstrating the actual reason of the trip, the financial capacity to fund the mobility as well as the stay abroad, an insurance issued for the travel, and in some cases an invitation letter on behalf of the European institutions hosting the student / teacher / administrative member. Moreover, the visa procedure is often quite expensive. Issuing a visa requires time in most of the cases, and the visa may be denied if the travel is not considered duly justified. Therefore careful advance planning is required.
Mobility flows in and out of Syria
Mobility flows are very limited, due to the war and war-like situation of the country for many years. While incoming mobility is almost none, outbound flows are ongoing. Funders of mobility: international funds, HEIs and the national Ministry of HE. Geographical scope of mobility: due to the recent difficulties in the exchanges with Europe (in…
Mobility flows in and out of Lebanon
Mobility flows (both incoming and outgoing) have been deeply affected by recent events, including the blast in the Lebanese harbour which reduced the functioning of several HEIs. Funders of mobility: European Commision, private companies, international organisations. Geographical scope of mobility: France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK. Student exchanges are mostly for credits, but mobility for…
Mobility flows in and out of Jordan
Mobility flows (both incoming and outgoing) saw a noteworthy increase between 2014/15 and 2018/19 for both students and staff (both academic and administrative staff). The main funder of mobility: the European Commission. Geographical scope of mobility: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK. Students’ mobility mainly at Bachelor’s level. Staff mobility mostly for academic staff, teaching hard…
Further information to follow…