Introduction of EU Blue Card from start of 2012
From 1 January 2012 Finland will introduce the EU’s ‘Blue Card’ in accordance with the EU’s directive regarding highly qualified third-country nationals.
The Blue Card is intended for persons arriving from outside the EU and seeking a residence permit for the purposes of highly qualified employment. Among the aims of the card is the fostering of the EU’s competitiveness through an educated workforce.
Requirements include above-average salary
For a Blue Card to be issued the following requirements must be met:
- The work requires special qualifications or expertise.
- The applicant has a higher education degree and is committed to a work contract of at least one year for highly qualified employment.
- The applicant is paid a gross salary of minimum EUR 4,832 per month. This is the salary threshold applicable in Finland in 2012 and reviewed annually.
- The terms and conditions of employment comply with existing regulations and collective agreements.
- The applicant fulfils the general requirements outlined in the Aliens Act for the granting of a residence permit. For example, the applicant must have a valid travel document (such as a passport), and must not be the subject of an entry ban.
Card granted for maximum two years at a time
Applicants should apply to the Finnish embassy for the EU Blue Card before coming to Finland. An exception applies to persons in possession for at least 18 months of a card issued by another EU Member State. In these cases applicants may apply for a card in Finland.
The application will be processed by the Finnish Immigration Service. A decision on granting the Blue Card will be made within 90 days after submission of the application, provided that the application is completed correctly and the necessary appendices are enclosed. The Blue Card will be granted for a maximum of two years at a time.
Persons receiving a positive decision are also entitled to bring their families to Finland. Card holders and their families will have the same entitlement to social support and health care as EU citizens.
Card joins the existing residence permit for special expert
Up to now highly qualified persons have been able to apply for a residence permit through an accelerated application process. This procedure will continue alongside the Blue Card application process.
It can be presumed on the basis of earlier applicant data that the majority of special experts will not fulfil Blue Card criteria but will apply for a residence permit using the existing procedure. A Blue Card would be issued to a few hundred applicants each year.
Further information for the media
Senior Adviser Jarmo Tiukkanen, Immigration Unit, tel. +358 71 873 0431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi
20.12.2011
