The Council of the European Union has adopted a directive establishing attractive conditions for third country nationals to take up highly qualified employment. The scheme involves a common fast-track procedure and conditions for member states to issue a special residence and work permit called the EU Blue Card.
Designed to make the EU more competitive, the scheme will complement, rather than replace, individual members states’ own schemes for attracting highly skilled workers. Applicants will need a job offer in both the original and subsequent member states to which they can move. The card will be valid for 1 to 4 years and can be renewed.
Blue Card holders will have equal treatment with nationals in a number of areas. Significantly, dependants will be able to access the employment market directly without having a prior assessment period imposed, as was the case in the family reunification directive of 2003.
We are delighted that our advocacy of dependants’ access to employment has been successfully recognised in this legislation. Participating member states will have up to 2 years to incorporate the provisions into national legislation. The UK, Denmark and Ireland have not adopted the Directive.