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ECOWAS Right of Residence for Employment

LiberiaFree movement

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Liberia Read the five questions ↓

Which citizenship, status or regional agreement creates the person's right to move/reside?

ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/7/86 (second phase, right of residence) requires each Member State to grant citizens of the Community who are nationals of other Member States the right of residence in its territory for the purpose of seeking and carrying out income earning employment.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SU17521.pdf
    SUPPLEMENTARY PROTOCOL A/SP.1/7/86 ON THE SECOND PHASE (RIGHT OF RESIDENCE) OF THE PROTOCOL ON FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS, THE RIGHT OF RESIDENCE AND ESTABLISHMENT
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SU17521.pdf
    For the purpose of implementing the second phase (right of residence) of the Protocol on free movement of persons, the right of residence and establishment, each of the Member States shall grant to citizens of the Community who are nationals of other Member States, the right of residence in its territory for the purpose of seeking and carrying out income earning employment.

Under which circumstances can the person reside: worker, self-employed, student, jobseeker, self-funded person or another recognised basis?

The residence basis is work: subject to public order, public security and public health restrictions, the right includes applying for jobs effectively offered, travelling freely for this purpose, and residing in a Member State to take up employment under the rules governing national workers. Persons whose working relations with an employer have not been established in the host Member State are excluded from 'migrant workers'.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SU17521.pdf
    With the exception of restrictions justifiable by reasons of public order, public security and public health, the right of residence shall include the right: 1. to apply for jobs effectively offered; 2. to travel for this purpose, freely, in the territory of Member States; 3. to reside in one of the Member States in order to take up employment in accordance with the legislative and administrative provisions governing employment of national workers;
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SU17521.pdf
    (c) persons whose working relations with an employer have not been established in the host Member State.

What entry, registration or residence-document formalities remain?

A Community citizen admitted without visa who wishes to reside must obtain an ECOWAS Residence Card or Residence Permit, applying to the Department of Immigration of the host State under its national rules; the application is addressed to the competent Ministry and a receipt is issued. Processing may not delay the immediate execution of employment contracts. The official source does not state Liberia's national rules, documents or fees for the residence card or permit.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured sources do not describe Liberia's national rules, documents or fees for the residence card or permit.

Which non-member-country family members can accompany or join, and what broad rights do they receive?

Host Member States are free to determine the criteria for the admission, stay and employment of migrant workers and members of their family. Migrant workers and members of their families may not be affected by collective or en masse expulsion orders. The official source does not state which family members, including non-Community nationals, may accompany or join.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The protocol does not define which family members, including non-Community nationals, may accompany or join.

When do permanent/long-term rights arise and what continuity, absence or retention conditions matter?

The right includes living in the territory of a Member State, under the conditions set by the host State, after having held employment there. Rights guaranteed in the protocol may not be withdrawn. The official source does not state a qualifying period, permanent residence status or absence rules.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The protocol does not state a qualifying period, permanent residence status or absence rules; these depend on the host State.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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