Green Card in the US, Blue Card in the EU

This past Monday 24 of the 27 member states of the European Union adopted a plan for a work permit aimed at attracting highly skilled foreigners, a permit similar to the US’ Green Card. It is called the Blue Card and it will allow foreign workers to be employed in any EU member state except Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark as well as to enjoy limited social and welfare rights for themselves and their family members for a renewable period from one to four years. Those 24 countries that signed to this scheme will have two years to make this a national law. One restriction will be imposed though for the first 18 months of legal residence: the holders of the blue card will have to stay and work in the country which gave it to them. After that time they will be legally allowed, under certain conditions, to move between member states. The apparent purpose of this card would be the better control of workers to avoid illegality, as well as improving the rights for foreigners.