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EU 'blue card' to tempt skilled EU 'Blue Card' to draft skilled
(about 5 hours later)
The European Commission is set to unveil a Blue Card for skilled immigrants, based on the US Green Card. The European Commission has unveiled a Blue Card for skilled immigrants, based on the US Green Card.
The card would allow suitably qualified people and their families to live and work within the EU. The plan would allow suitably qualified people and their families to live and work within the European Union.
The EU says it needs 20 million skilled immigrants over the next 20 years, and is very short of expertise in engineering and computer technology. The EU says it needs 20m skilled workers over the next two decades, and is very short of expertise in engineering and computer technology.
Correspondents say another aim of the proposal is to deter the best brains from emigrating to the US to find work. The scheme, which is more restrictive than the US Green Card, would need the approval of all 27 EU member states.
The BBC's Mark Mardell in Brussels says the plan is controversial and some countries are sure to oppose it. Correspondents say another aim of the plan is to reverse a current trend under which skilled migrants, mostly from Asia and Africa, emigrate to the US to find work.
The BBC's Mark Mardell in Brussels says the proposal is controversial and some countries are sure to oppose it.
Critics also fear that Europe's attempt to take the best and leave the rest will only encourage a brain-drain from poorer nations.Critics also fear that Europe's attempt to take the best and leave the rest will only encourage a brain-drain from poorer nations.
Creating 'EU magnet' 'Centralisation too far'
The UK, Ireland and Denmark could opt out, but the other EU members will have to take part. The UK, Ireland and Denmark could opt out, but the other EU members will have to take part. name="upagain">
PROPOSED 'BLUE CARD' Points system for skills and languagesAttached to individual, rather than jobResidence permit and work permit in oneBritain, Ireland and Denmark likely to opt out EU pins hopes on 'blue card' Send us your views It is essential for Europe to become a magnet for the highly skilled European Commission class="" href="#map">Blue Card v Green Card EU pins hopes on 'blue card' Send us your views
UK ministers say officially they are studying it, but our correspondent says they are not keen on the idea, preferring to develop a points system. UK ministers say they are studying it, but our correspondent says they are not keen on the card, preferring to develop an Australian-style points system.
Under the proposals, due to be unveiled on Tuesday afternoon, a Blue Card would enable holders and their families to live, work and travel within the EU. Unveiled in Strasbourg on Tuesday afternoon, the Blue Card would enable holders and their families to live, work and travel within the EU.
To be eligible for the card, new immigrants would need to show a recognised diploma, have at least three years professional experience and the offer of a job which could not be filled by an EU citizen. To be eligible, new immigrants would need to show a recognised diploma, have at least three years professional experience and the offer of a job which could not be filled by an EU citizen.
"To maintain and improve economic growth in the EU, it is essential for Europe to become a magnet for the highly skilled," the European Commission said in a statement. European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said: "This is not an 'open doors' policy."
"...To do so, the EU must present a united front, rather than emphasise the different immigration policies of each member state." "If a given member-state needs engineers or doctors, it has to decide how many, and then I will provide a state with a common procedure," he added.
The plan will need the approval of all member states to come into force. But some politicians in the Netherlands and Germany are hostile and the Austrian government has condemned the plan as "a centralisation too far".
Some politicians in the Netherlands and Germany are hostile and the Austrian government has condemned the plan as "a centralisation too far". Across Europe there is a real tension between politicians, who know voters are worried about immigration, and businesses demanding graduates from India and China, our correspondent says.
There is a real tension between politicians all over Europe, who know their voters are worried about immigration, and businesses which say they will not be able to function without the skills of graduates from India and China, our correspondent says. name="map">
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BLUE CARD V GREEN CARD Blue CardDoes not give permanent residencyAttached to the individual, not the jobValid up to two years, renewableAllows holders and families to live, work and travel in EUApplicant must have one-year EU job contract with salary of three times minimum wagePermanent residency automatic after five years Green CardGives holder permanent residencyBoth a work and residency permitValid for 10 years, renewableAllows holder to live, work and travel in the USFive channels to seek a card: employment, family links, a lottery, investment, or resident since before 1972Holders can become US citizens after five years