European Union Blue Card
The EU Blue Card was introduced as a card at par with US Green Card to attract skilled manpower from various parts of world.
European Union predicts a requirement of 20 million skilled migrants over next 20 years. Healthcare, Science & Information Technology Sectors, Engineering, and tourism sector are in urgent need of highly skilled professionals to fill their top level positions; hence Blue Card is considered as a crucial avenue for EU to fill these positions.
Following countries accept skilled workers through Blue Card Scheme:
| Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria | Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Hungary | Italy |
| Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta |
| Netherlands | Poland | Portugal | Romania |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden |
Features of EU Blue Card:
- EU Blue card system is single card for both work and residence permit
- The card permits highly educated and skilled foreigners to stay and work in the EU
- On completion of initial 2 years in the card issue country, migrant can move to any country under the Blue Card Agreement
- On completion of 5 years in a country under Blue Card, a migrant can apply for PR
EU Blue Card Scheme benefits:
- Same working and salary conditions as the country nationals
- Right to socio-economic rights
- Perfect for family reunification
- Freedom to associate
- Blue Card makes it easy for migrants to get a Permanent Residence, after staying for 5 years in the same country
- Free to travel anywhere in European Union
- Tax benefits, pension funds, social benefits to be same as a citizen of that country
- Enjoy Free education
Blue Card can be provided under the below conditions:
- If you are a Non-EU national
- If you have a Higher Educational Qualification
- If you have a valid work contract or a binding job opportunity in EU
- Migrant must stay in the same country from where the card is issued for initial 2 years
