European Blue Card - Update July 11, 2011

More updates and information.

Sweden:  To answer Rock's question - no, I didn't find anything specific about Blue Card implementation in that country.  If anyone has more information, please feel free to provide a link in the comments section.  There is one article here that talks about Sweden's workforce needs and agreements with Europe and non-EU countries which says:

Work is currently underway to implement the Blue Card Directive (Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of third country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment) into Swedish legislation.

Nonetheless, I was able to find a number of good resources for non-EU citizens wanting to work there.  Have a look at this website run by the Swedish Institute called Sweden.se: the official gateway to Sweden which has some good general information about the country and a section for people interested in applying for a work permit.  The Swedes are very well-organized:  the site provides information in at least six languages and the process is simple and clear and can be found here.  I also really liked the tone of the website which is very welcoming with an entire section devoted to persuading you that Sweden is a great place (I believe them) to live and work.  It's called "3 Good Reasons to Work in Sweden."

Austria:  This link comes from arvind (thank you!) .  This article is called Criteria based Immigration to Austria (Red-White-Red Card).  This Red-White-Red card is available to people who already have an EU Blue Card.  They say:

With the EU Blue Card regulations, Austria transforms the provisions of the European Blue Card  Directive (Council Directive 2009/50/EC) into national law. This directive harmonizes the conditions of entry, residence and labour market access of highly qualified third country citizens and their families within the EU...
The EU Blue Card is issued for a period of two years.  Holders of an EU Blue Card may apply for a RWR Card plus with unlimited labour market access if  they have been employed for at least 21 months during the previous 24 months according to their
qualification.

I think there is more information here but I'm unable to get the Google translator to work and I don't speak German.  If anyone has better luck, please pass along the links.  This is a very interesting development because this status is in addition to the EU Blue Card and it offers some very attractive residency and work terms for high-skilled immigrants.  To me, it implies that they are actively seeking Blue Card holders for Austria and they want them to stay.

France:  Now that the "Loi du 16 juin 2011 relative à l’immigration, à l’intégration et à la nationalité" is at "Le décret d’application/Promulgation" stages,  I'm going to start watching the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) official website because they appear to be the government agency responsible (a "guichet unique") for "professional immigration."   Their site is available in English but there seems to be less content so I would use the French site instead.  

Another very good site I'm watching (and I really recommend it) is called "For the Promotion of Economic Migration." This is a government website for employers in France who want to recruit people from abroad.  They even offer a service through the OFII where an an agent will help the employer with the recruiting and work permit/residency process.  I've never used the service and can't vouch for its efficiency but, if you are looking for work with a company based in France, and they seem reticent about the bureaucracy involved in hiring you, direct them to this site.  It might calm their fears about the process.

That's all for now.  Again, if you have more information about Blue Card implementation in EU countries, send me a mail or leave a comment.  I'll publish another update as soon as I know more.