EU Launches Blue Card Highly Skilled Worker Visa Scheme

A new policy, which is intended to attract highly skilled workers to EU countries to fill gaps in the labor market, is being launched by the European Union.

The scheme will enable skilled migrants from non-EU countries to apply for a ‘Blue Card,’ which will entitle the holder to work in EU countries, moving freely around the continent filling labor market gaps.

The plan was decided upon in Brussels on 25 May, together with the establishment of a set of common standards intended to prevent employers illegally taking on immigrants and paying them unfair wages. The measures include a rule that requires all non-EU workers to carry a valid residents permit. Employers that breach these regulations will be faced with fines and possible exclusion from public tenders and access to public funds.

“I am very glad that today we have been able to put in place two important pieces of our common immigration policy,” said EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot.

“Highly skilled migration into Europe increases our competitiveness and economic growth, and helps tackle the demographic problems resulting from our aging population.

“With today’s adoption of the EU Blue Card we send a clear signal that, irrespective of economic ups and downs, such migrants are always welcome in the EU.”

Under the Blue Card scheme national governments retain the right to decide how many workers can enter a country on a Blue Card and which industries they can work in.

The new measures do not affect people wishing to move to the UK to work from outside the EU as the UK, Denmark and Ireland have opted out of the scheme, claiming they wish to form their own regulations for visas.