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Jo is an Attorney and Partner based in Fragomen’s Brussels office where she leads the Fragomen Consulting Europe Practice, providing companies with European-wide strategic mobility solutions underpinned by cutting-edge technology and including immigration, Posted Worker and Social Security compliance.
Jo is a recognized leader in government strategy and advisory services in Europe. She plays a pivotal role in Fragomen’s engagement with European institutions, representing the firm in the European Commission Expert Group on Economic Migration. Jo collaborates with the European Commission and other organizations to shape immigration policies and frameworks.
A sought-after speaker and published authority on economic migration, Jo has addressed numerous national and international seminars and contributed to significant studies for the European Commission, OECD, IOM and European Migration Network (EMN). Her thorough understanding of global mobility, encompassing immigration, social security, individual labor law and posted worker solutions enables her to provide comprehensive and strategic advice to both corporate clients and government stakeholders.
Education
- Catholic University of Leuven, LL.M., 1992
More from Jo
Admissions
Bar Admissions: Brussels
Awards
Named to Best Lawyers in Belgium, 2021-2023
Professional accomplishments
Member, Human Capital and Talent Committee and Chair Corporate Immigration Taskforce, American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium
Experience
Has more than 20 years of experience in managing global engagements, as well as Belgian and European immigration, social security and posted worker policy and advisory work. Acted as a legal adviser to governments and International Organizations.
Publications and lectures
Quoted, “EU Talent Pool: labour solution or bureaucratic burden?” Global Mobility Lawyer, 27 March 2025.
Speaker, “Working in Europe: Post-Study Immigration Options.” Fragomen and Interstride, Webinar, 25 March 2025.
Speaker, “Schengen insights : Preparing for changes in Business travel and border management.” Fragomen, Webinar, 5 March 2025.
Speaker, “Global Mobility Goes Digital.” European Labour Mobility Congress 2025, Krakow, Poland, 17 February 2025.
Speaker, “Panel Session: Killers and Drivers of the Single Market – freedom to provide services.” European Labour Mobility Congress 2025, Krakow, Poland, 17 February 2025.
Co-speaker, “Exploring Labor Mobility Solutions.” Amcham Belgium, Brussels, Belgium, 23 January 2025.
Co-speaker, “China Going Abroad – Navigating Evolving Immigration Trends webinar.” Fragomen, Webinar, 21 January 2025.
Panelist, “A reality check on labour migration: perspectives from the private sector.” International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Vienna Migration Conference 2024, Vienna, Austria, 23 October 2024.
Co-speaker, “Labour market tests in international recruitment strategies.” European Commission – Labour Migration Platform, Brussels, Belgium, 17 October 2024.
Co-speaker, “Talent attraction & Skills Mobility from a European perspective.” Joint High-Level Meeting Khartoum-Rabat process: Pathways for Skills Mobility, Portugal, Lisbon, 16 October 2024.
Co-speaker, “Europe & UK Session.” Fragomen India Symposium: Navigating Policy & Compliance in a dynamic immigration framework, Bangalore, India, 11 July 2024.
Co-speaker, “Engaging with Employers.” OECD/ICMPD Future-Proofing Labour Markets: The Role of Skills Mobility Partnerships, Paris, France, 19 June 2024.
Co-speaker, “Posting of third-country nationals.” Labour Mobility Institute: EU cross-border service providers, Warsaw, Poland, 20 May 2024.
Co-speaker, “Skills mobility partnerships & legal pathways that work for employers in Europe.” ERA (European Law Academy) Annual Conference on European Immigration Law 2024, 19 April 2024.
Co-speaker, “Digital Frontiers: Navigating the Impact of Technology on People Movement”, Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) Global Mobility Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1 March 2024.
Co-speaker, “Frago-GPT Generative Artificial Intelligence.” European Labor Authority (ELA) Tech Conference, Madrid, Spain, 1 February 2024.
Co-speaker, “ETIAS and the ongoing digitisation of Europe’s external borders: What to expect?”, Fragomen, Webinar, 6 December 2023.
Co-author and Co-speaker, “UK citizens & Brexit.” Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations, a series of thematic papers, webinars and newsletters, Brussels, Belgium, 29 November 2023.
Speaker, “The missing link: from recognition to the issuing of the visa.” International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Labour Mobility Practioners’ Network Skills Shortages: Connecting the Dots, Brussels, Belgium, 21-22 November 2023.
Speaker, “Creating Skills Mobility Partnerships and Legal Pathways that Work for Employers.” Fragomen, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the International Organisation of Employers, Webinar, 14 November 2023.
Speaker, "A new era for labour Migration.” International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Vienna Migration Conference 2023, Vienna, Austria, 10-11 October 2023.
Co-speaker, “DT4E International Talent Mobility – Information Sessions for recruiters & employers.” IOM Belgium, Brussels, Belgium and Ghent, Belgium, 25-26 April 2023.
Co-speaker, “Posting of Workers Goes Digital.” European Labor Mobility Congress, Krakow, Poland, 24-25 April 2023.
Co-speaker, “Ukrainian citizens’ labour market access in the EU’.’ ERA Annual Conference on European Immigration Law 2023, 19-21 April 2023.
Co-speaker, “Minimizing Cost through Strategic Talent Planning,” Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM) Global Mobility Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 10 March 2023.
Co-speaker, “Reimagining the Immigration Landscape in a Post-Pandemic World.” Fragomen India Symposium, Bangalore, India, 16 November 2022.
Co-speaker, “Fragomen WorkRight Digital Mobility Solution for Europe.” ELA Tech Conference-Digital Solutions for Labour Mobility, Bratislava, Slovakia, 4 November 2022.
Co-speaker, “New EU Blue Card Directive.” ERA Annual Conference on European Immigration Law 2022, 12-13 May 2022.
Co-author, “The Interaction between EU trade commitments and immigration rules in EU Member States.” Radboud University – Centre for Migration Law, Nijmegen, December 2021.
Co-author, “Brexit: Verblijven en werken in België post-Brexit (Brexit : Living and working in Belgium post-Brexit).” Migratie in cijfers en in rechten - Jaarverslag Migratie 2021: Economische migratie, vrij verkeer en studenten (Migration in figures and in rights – Annual Report Migration 2021: Economic migration, free movement and students), Myria, 2021.
Co-author, “Moving to Belgium as an EU citizen. Registration formalities for EU workers, self-employed persons, jobseekers and their family members in Belgium, with a comparative outlook.” Myria, 2021.
Co-speaker, “Voorstelling studie loket vrij verkeer (Presentation Study on the Free movement of EU citizens and their family members).” Myria, 10 December 2021.
Co-speaker, “Professional qualifications and temporary entry.” Canadian-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) SME Business Workshop, 8 December 2021.
Co-speaker, “Blue Card Directive Recast.” Radboud University – Centre for Migration Law, 18 October 2021.
Co-speaker, “Business travel: what does the future hold?” Fragomen EMEA Conference 2021, 6-7 October 2021.
Co-speaker, “How technology is enhancing the mobility experience?”, Fragomen EMEA Conference 2021, 6-7 October 2021.
Co-speaker, “Which Policy for Legal Migration in the EU?” Odysseus Summer School, ULB, 6 July 2021.
Speaker, “Covid-19 and European migration strategies – an update.” ERA Annual Conference on European Migration Law, 7 May 2021.
Co-author, “What it takes to have a successful new Blue Card scheme: The practitioner’s viewpoint.” European Law Journal, 28 April 2021.
Speaker, “Brexit: Economic migration between Belgium & UK.” VBO/FEB, 3 March 2021.
Co-author, “Attracting and Protecting Seasonable Workers from Third Countries in the EU.” Focussed Study of the Belgian National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN), January 2021.
Co-author, “Attracting and Retaining foreign talent across the EU: comparative overview of Member States’ policies.” The Students and Researcher Directive: Central Themes, Problem Issues and Implementation in Selected Member States, Wolf Legal Publishers, 2020.
Co-speaker, “Europe – Solutions for 2021 and Beyond.” SHRM Global Mobility & Immigration Symposium, 17 November 2020.
Speaker, “Klaar voor de nieuwe relatie tussen EU en het VK: Tewerkstelling? (Ready for the new relationship between the EU and the UK: Employment?).”, VBO/FEB, 28 October 2020.
Speaker, “Reflections of the India Transformation Technology Industry on EU Legal Migration Framework/”, ILO, 30 April 2020.
Co-author, “Migratory pathways for start-ups and innovative entrepreneurs in Belgium.” Focussed Study of the Belgian National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN), 18 December 2019.
Co-speaker, “Developments in the field of economic migration in Belgium: comparative overview of new policies in the regions and challenges.” European Migration Network (EMN) Asylum and Immigration Policy Event 2019, 10 December 2019.
Co- speaker, “Attracting and Retaining foreign talent across the EU: comparative overview of Member States’ policies.” Radboud University – Centre for Migration Law, Nijmegen, 15 November 2019.
Speaker, “How attractive are we for international talent and what needs to be done.” OECD event on OECD Indicators of Talent Attractiveness, 29 May 2019.
Speaker, “Intra-corporate transfers of non-EU workers: current assessment of adopted measures.” ERA Annual Conference on European Migration Law, 16 May 2019.
Speaker, “Brexit: Current state of play and solutions in Europe,” Fragomen Seminar, San Francisco, California, April 2019.
Speaker, “Brexit: Current state of play and solutions in Europe,” Fragomen Seminar, New York, New York, April 2019.
Speaker, “Immigration Planning.” FEM Belgium Chapter, Brussels, 21 February 2019.
Speaker, “Changes in the Belgian Immigration Landscape and related Regional Policies.” AMCHAM Belgium HR Committee, Brussels, 17 January 2019.
Speaker, “Wijzigingen in het Belgische en Vlaamse landschap rond economische migratie: Wat te verwachten in 2019 (Changes in the Belgian and Flemish Immigration Landscape: What to expect in 2019).” VOKA, Kortrijk, 20 December 2018.
Speaker, “Changes to Belgian Immigration law and what to expect next year.” Fragomen Seminar, Brussels, 29 November 2018.
Speaker, “Mode 4 Commitments in Action.” WTO Seminar “Mode 4 At Work”, Geneva, 10 October 2018.
Speaker, “EU Strategies and Posted Workers.” Fragomen EMEA Conference 2018 – Immigration 2025: The changing face of immigration, Brussels, 26-28 September 2018.
Speaker, “Can Business operate across borders in the EU?” Fragomen seminar, Brussels, 26 June 2018.
Co-Author, “The Intra-Corporate Transfer Permit and Mobility in the European Union: The Business Perspective.” The Intra Corporate Transferee Directive: Central Themes, Problem Issues and Implementation in Selected Member States, Page 67, Wolf Legal Publishers, 2018.
Speaker, “Posted Workers in the EU: Impact on mobility, employees and what you need to know.” Fragomen seminar, Brussels, 3 July 2018.
Speaker, “Migration Openness Index.” OECD Working Party on Migration, 25 June 2018.
Speaker, “Posted Workers in the EU: Impact on mobility, employees and what you need to know.” Fragomen seminar, Brussels, 14 March 2018.
Speaker, “Tewerkstelling en verblijf van buitenlandse arbeidskrachten : een stand van zaken (Employment and Stay of Foreign Employees: An update).” M&D Seminars, Groot-Bijgaarden, 28 November 2017.
Speaker, “Fragomen Global Immigration Seminar in Japan: European Union Immigration Update.” Fragomen Global Immigration Seminar, Tokyo, Japan, 15-17 November 2017.
Speaker, “Fragomen Global Immigration Seminar in Japan: European Union Immigration Update.” Fragomen Global Immigration Seminar, Nagoya, Japan, 15-17 November 2017.
Speaker, “Fragomen Global Immigration Seminar in Japan: European Union Immigration Update.” Fragomen Global Immigration Seminar, Osaka, Japan, 15-17 November 2017.
Speaker, “The Intra Corporate Transferee Permit in practice: variables in implementation in the EU Member States.” Radboud University – Centre for Migration Law, Nijmegen, 10 November 2017.
Speaker, “Companies in the globalized world.” Panel presentation.” EMN Annual Conference/EE EU Presidency Conference on Migration, Tallinn, 21 September 2017.
Speaker, “Towards a Truly European Permit.” Webinar, NetExpat Global HR Think Tank, Brussels, 12 September 2017.
Author, “De Belgische nationaliteitswetgeving benadeelt Britse EU-ambtenaren (Belgian nationality legislation is detrimental to British EU officials).” Knack, 4 September 2017: n. pag. Web.
Speaker, “Immigratie naar België: aandachtspunten voor de vermogensplanning van uw client (Immigration to Belgium: Considerations for Estate Planning).” Seminar, Estate Planning Days M&D Seminars, Sint-Niklaas, 25 August 2017.
Speaker, “Brexit: A View From The Continent.” Panel presentation, Talent Mobility - EMEA Policy & Strategy Summit 2017, Amsterdam, 22 June 2017.
Speaker, “Added value of the reform of the EU Blue Card Directive.” Panel presentation, ERA Annual Conference on European Migration Law – Focus on the Reform of the EU Legal Migration System, Brussels, 15 June 2017.
Speaker, “Immigration Trends and Challenges Across Europe” Panel presentation, 45thAnnual IBIS Academy, Cannes, 1-5 May 2017.
Speaker, “When in Rome… - The Essentials for Localising an Employee.” Panel presentation, 45thAnnual IBIS Academy, Cannes, 1-5 May 2017.
Speaker, “China’s New Immigration Policy and Brexit Update.” Seminar, Fragomen China Breakfast Briefing, Shanghai, 22 March 2017.
Speaker, “Legal Migration: How Blue will the New Card be?” Panel presentation, Odysseus Annual Conference on Beyond ‘Crisis’? The State of Immigration and Asylum Law and Policy in the EU, Brussels, 10 February 2017.
Speaker, “A new proposal for the EU Blue Card Scheme and what this means for businesses.” Webinar, Fragomen, 13 September 2016.
Speaker, “Towards a coherent EU labour immigration policy.” Public hearing, European Economic and Social Committee, Brussels, 8 September 2016.
Speaker, “What is new in Immigration Regulations in Belgium.” Lecture, Expat Network Meeting at Donaldson, Leuven, 16 June 2016.
Speaker, “The EU Blue Card.” Seminar, NetExpat Global HR Think Tank, Brussels, 14 June 2016.
Speaker, “How the Schengen Legislation in the current European landscape impacts your immigration approach?” Seminar, Fragomen, Brussels, 7 June 2016.
Speaker, “How the Schengen Legislation in the current European landscape impacts your immigration approach?” Lecture, FEM Belgium Chapter Meeting, Brussels, 2 June 2016.
Co-author, “Changes in immigration status and purpose of stay: an overview of EU Member States approaches.” Focussed Study of the Belgian National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN), May 2016.
Speaker, “What is new in Immigration Regulations in Belgium?” Presentation, ABRA AGM and Member Meeting, Brussels, 19 May 2016.
Speaker, “Facts, Policy Developments and what’s next for Europe?” Fragomen webinar, 27 January 2016.
Co-author, “Admitting Third-Country Nationals for Business Purposes in Belgium.” Focussed Study of the Belgian National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN), January 2015.
Interviewee, “Als HR de grens over trekt… (When HR crosses external borders…).” Interview, HR Magazine, November 2014.
Co-author, “De tewerkstelling van hooggeschoolde buitenlandse arbeidskrachten op de Belgische arbeidsmarkt (The Employment of Highly Skilled Foreign Nationals on the Belgian Labour Market).” Ontwikkelingen in het Europees, Belgisch en Vlaams arbeidsmigratierecht Migratie- en Migratenrecht 15 (Developments in the European, Belgian and Flemish labour migration law), Die Keure, 2014.
Jo’s insights
March 27, 2025 | Media mentions
March 25, 2025 | Webinar
March 5, 2025 | Webinar