Permanent immigration excluding freedom of movement (that is, nationals from Romania, Bulgaria and non-EEA/Swiss citizens) reached a level of roughly 126 000 entries in 2009, down by 7% compared with 2008. This decrease stemmed as much from labour migration (22 500 entries), which dipped by 6% compared with 2008, as from family migration (78 100 entries), which decreased by 10%. This trend is due in part to the transition that followed institution of the “long-stay visa constituting a residence permit” (Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour, VLS-TS) and which deferred the recording of some entries until 2010. In addition, the economic crisis affected requirements for the recruitment of foreign workers, and criteria for family reunification were tightened subsequent to the entry into force of the November 2007 law on immigration, integration and asylum.