Suriname will actively take back its nationals residing irregularly in Belgium under a new agreement signed by the Federal Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). In exchange, Surinamese diplomats and officials will be exempt from visa requirements.
The agreement applies not only to Belgium but to all Benelux countries. Negotiations for this accord began during Belgium’s presidency of the European Union.
The number of Surinamese nationals ordered to leave Belgium has increased from 155 to 249 over the past year.
Currently, there are 2,200 Surinamese citizens legally residing in Belgium.
Under the agreement, Suriname commits to speeding up the identification process of its nationals and cooperating in their swift repatriation.
