Meeting held in Brussels discusses Blue Card immigration scheme

EU interior ministers held a meeting on 25 September, part of which concerned the blue card immigration directive. The blue card would provide an all-in-one work and residence permit for highly skilled professionals from outside the European Union.

Applicants would have to be earning 150 percent of the gross average salary in the country they want to live and work in, or 120 percent for jobs for which there is a shortage of skilled labor.

Blue card holders would be eligible to bring their family members and route to permanent residence would be available.

In a change to previous plans, EU member states would retain greater control over whether to allow a blue card holder entry.

The blue card is expected to go live in 2011.