Poland now accepting Blue Card applications

From 12 June 2012 Poland has begun accepting EU blue card applications from highly-skilled third country nationals who have an employment contract in place with a Polish company and possess the required qualifications.

Professional level qualifications,The Blue Card is a good way to sidestep what can be complicated work and resident visas requirements in many EU Countries. In order to be eligible to apply for a Blue Card, you must have the following:

• a work contract or job offer from an EU employer with a salary at
• least 1.5 times the average gross salary,
• a valid travel document
• sickness insurance

The EU blue card is valid throughout the duration of the employment contract or for a maximum of two years.

The EU hopes that the EU Blue Card scheme will enable the EU to compete effectively against the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for skilled migrants. It is an EU-wide work permit scheme allowing highly-skilled non-EU citizens the right to work and live theoretically in any of the EU countries apart from Denmark, Ireland, and the UK.

It may also be possible to renew the EU Blue Card. EU Blue Card holders may apply for permanent residence after:

• five years of legal and continuous residency within the EU as an Blue Card holder, and
• legal and continuous residency for two years immediately prior to the submission of the application within the Member State where the application for the long-term resident's EC residence permit is lodged

Despite the EU Blue Card's creation in 2008, four years later some Member States have yet to fully implement the visa scheme. So far the EU Blue Card does not seem to have been as popular as other skilled immigration schemes such as the Australian General Skilled Migration scheme or Canadian Skilled Worker visa scheme.

Greek crackdown on illegal immigration continues

The Greek government is continuing its crackdown on illegal immigration which began on 4th July. By 6th July, police and troops had arrested over 7,000 suspected illegal immigrants in a series of raids both in Athens and along the north-eastern border with Turkey. 1,600 illegal immigrants were deported after the first weekend. 

Since then, the Greek government has made a concerted effort to take control of its 200km north-eastern land border with Turkey which runs along the Evros River. There are now 2,500 officers on patrol in the area compared to 500 in July. 

The Greeks are worried about illegal immigration through Turkey and so is the rest of the European Union. Border patrol officers from 25 countries are helping with the campaign. It has been estimated that two thirds of illegal immigrants into the EU enter through Greece and almost all of those come in through the Evros region rather than via the Mediterranean islands. Approximately 21,000 illegal migrants were arrested in Greece in the first six months of 2012; an increase of 29% on the same period in 2011. At least 21 people have drowned in the Evros River or died of exposure while trying to cross it this year. Afghans, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Syrians are the most numerous among those attempting the crossing. A Greek think tank, Eliamap, estimated that there were 450,000 illegal immigrants living in Greece in 2011.

Until August, the Greek response was chaotic and undermanned; 500 officers could not possibly police a 200km border and Greek detention centres were full to overflowing. It was a well-known ploy among those caught on the border, the Huffington Post reports, to admit to illegal status in the expectation of being taken to an immigrant detention camp near Athens. Immigrants believed, with some justification, it is said, that they would be interned for three months before being released at which point they would be able to make their way to Athens. 

Greece, in the teeth of a brutal recession and facing ejection from the Eurozone, is becoming a dangerous place for immigrants. Golden Dawn, a far right political party, took 7% of the vote in elections earlier this year. There have been a series of attacks on black and Asian people in Athens. Golden Dawn denies any involvement and says that it is more concerned about attacks on Greeks by foreigners. An Iraqi man was stabbed to death in Athens earlier this month and there were public disturbances after allegations of a sexual assault by a Pakistani man on a Greek girl on the Greek island of Paros. There are allegations of police brutality during the anti-immigrant raids but these have been denied. 

Foreign minister Nikos Dendias said that 'the immigration issue is a ticking bomb in the foundations of society and state' but added 'we will handle it with full respect for human rights and European regulations.'

Christos Manouras, a police spokesman said 'It is widely accepted here that the expulsion of immigrants who are here illegally is a national necessity, an issue of national survival'. Mr Manouras said that the operation 'will continue in the long-term'. He said that the government estimated that illegal border crossings had dropped by 90% in the first week. 

There have, however, been criticisms of the police response from human rights organisations. Jezerca Tigani of Amnesty International said 'Greece may be going through financial difficulties while facing one of the highest migration flows among EU countries, but these police operations violate international human rights and should stop immediately.'

The Financial Times reported on August 6th, 2012, that 8,000 foreign nationals had applied for voluntary repatriation under a scheme arranged by the International Organisation for Migration. 

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Join the EU Blue Card Network

Do you have a higher education qualification? Do you want to work in the European Union?

Have you considered joining the EU Blue Card Network? It could help you find the job you've been dreaming of.

Why not sign up? It's free.

The EU Blue Card Scheme is the EU's equivalent of the United States 'green card' scheme. It has been put in place to make it easier and more attractive for highly intelligent and educated people from elsewhere to live and work in the EU. After originally being proposed in 2007, it is finally open for applications. Germany, the EU's largest economy, started accepting Blue Card applications on 1st August 2012

If you have
• A higher education qualification
• And a contract or binding offer of work in Europe
then you may be eligible for a Blue Card. Once you have one, a Blue Card entitles you to work anywhere in the EU (apart from Denmark, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom).

A Blue Card entitles holders to
• The same working conditions and pay as EU citizens
• The right to bring close family members to live with you
• The prospect of permanent resident status in the EU
• Attractive rates of pay – different countries have different rules as to minimum pay for Blue Card holders but the EU Blue Card directive suggests that Blue Card holders should get a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average. In Germany, the minimum salary for Blue Card holders is €35,000.

But, if you don't have already have a job contract or a binding job offer, then the Blue Card Network could help you find one.

Here's how you do it. Just create your profile on the EU Blue Card Network website. All fields are optional so you can enter as much data as you wish - though employers may be more interested in fuller profiles. You can attach a CV to your profile.

Then, vetted and registered EU recruiters can browse the database and search for suitable candidates for available positions. If you match their requirements, they will give you a call and the interview process will begin. No unregistered recruiters will have access to the Network. Your data will be secure.

If you are successful at interview, your new employer will give you a contract or a letter containing a binding offer. You can then apply for your EU Blue Card either from the immigration authorities in the country where you will be working or from the consulate in your home country

The Blue Card is a fast track scheme. If you supply the correct documentation with your application, you should have your card within three months

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Cyprus immigration lowers cost of 'fast track citizenship'

The Cypriot department of immigration has cut the cost of its Fast Track Citizenship program, also known as 'economic citizenship'. The main change was introduced to placate Russians who had lost money when the Cypriot government grabbed 40% of all deposits for themselves in two of Cyprus's largest banks.

There are now several different ways of qualifying for Cypriot citizenship by making investments in Cyprus. There is no requirement that you should be resident in Cyprus to qualify though you must have a property there.

Investment and Donation

You can qualify for Cypriot citizenship by

• Investing at least €2m in shares and/or bonds of the Cyprus State Investment Company and
• Donating at least €0.5m to the Cypriot Research and Technology Fund

Investment

You can qualify by investing at least €5m in Cyprus. The following types of investments qualify

• Property (but not undeveloped land)
• Cypriot businesses or companies
• Bonds, securities, debentures
• Investment or participation in public works

In a) to c) above, the investments have to be maintained for three years. Where the investment is in shares or bonds, the value of the investment must stay above €5m for the entire three years.

The Minister of the Interior has the option in 2014 of further reducing the minimum investment from €5m to €2m where an investor can show he has invested in a 'special collective real estate purchase scheme' worth over €10bn.

Bank Deposits

You can qualify by depositing at least €5m in a Cypriot bank for three years on fixed terms.

A combination of the above and a donation to a state fund

You can qualify by opening a portfolio of mixed investments and donations to state funds totalling at least €5m

Business activities in Cyprus

You can qualify by owning, or part-owning, a company which has paid taxes and other fees to the Cypriot government and which employs people in Cyprus.

The amount of tax that must be paid varies according to the number of people your business employs in Cyprus. The minimum qualifying tax payments are as follows:

• If the company employs ten or more people in Cyprus, it must have paid taxes of €200,000 in each of the last three years
• If the company employs between five and ten people in Cyprus, it must have paid taxes and other payments of at least €300,000 in each of the last three years
• If the company employs fewer than five people, it must have paid taxes and other fees of at least €500,000 in each of the last three years.

Those who have had money sequestered by the Cypriot government

In March 2013, the Cypriot government was facing bankruptcy. In order to qualify for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank, it took extraordinary measures to try to balance the country's budget.

The most controversial step taken by the government was to raid deposits held in two of Cyprus's largest banks. The government took 40% of all deposits over €100,000. Some wealthy Russian depositors lost €millions.

Many wealthy Russian depositors were understandably furious. The Cypriot government has now reduced the amount that must be invested in Cyprus in order to qualify for citizenship. The Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told a Russian business conference in Limassol that this would 'mitigate to some extent, the damage' caused to Russian deposit holders.

Those losing €3m can apply

Under the new rules, anyone who has had €3m or more taken from their accounts will be eligible to apply for citizenship.

In order to be successful, all applicants

• Must be able to prove that they have no criminal convictions
• Must not have had their assets frozen by the EU
• Must own a resident in Cyprus worth €500,000 or more

Cyprus first opened its Fast Track Citizenship programme in 2012. The original cost of citizenship through investment was as much as €10m but the level was reduced in 2013 after the Cypriot government sequestered money from accounts held in Cypriot banks.

40% taken from accounts

The money was largely held by Russian nationals who favour Cyprus as a holiday destination and as a place to keep their money. After the government raided deposits, taking as much as 40% from some larger accounts. The government needed to raise €10bn to avoid defaulting on the terms of an EU bailout.

The raid on deposits, known as 'a haircut' in international financial circles, was extremely unpopular with the Russians. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev referred to the raids as 'stealing'.

Sanwar Ali of workpermit.com said 'Even after the reduction in the minimum investment requirement, the Cypriot citizenship scheme is going to remain beyond the reach of most investors. But, if you do have sufficient funds for the citizenship scheme then we can help with your application.

Malta to launch cheaper scheme

'If the Cypriot scheme is too expensive, then there may in future be an alternative. Malta appears to be on the verge of opening a much cheaper scheme which will 'sell' citizenship. Malta is an EU member state like Cyprus so you would, as a citizen of Malta, be free to live and work in the EU.

'And there are also permanent resident schemes in several EU countries which may eventually lead to EU citizenship. Portugal, Greece, Spain and Malta all have permanent residence visa schemes for investors but the cheapest one available at the moment is probably the Latvian Immigrant Investor Visa; This may become much more expensive from January 1st 2014.

If you are interested you should give as a call ASAP'.

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European Commission seeks power to prevent Malta 'citizenship sale'

The Maltese government has announced that it intends to go ahead with a controversial plan to 'sell citizenship' to applicants who pay €1.15m. The government intends that the Individual Investor Program (IIP) scheme should go live in February 2014.

However, there may be a last minute hitch. European Commission vice-president Viviane Reding is said to be taking legal advice about whether the Commission has the power to stop the scheme under EU Treaty law. The European parliament has already held a vote censuring Malta.

Malta announced in October 2013 that it was planning on selling Maltese citizenship to up to 1,800 applicants. Each applicant under the IIP would have to

• Pay Malta €650,000; 70% of this would go into a national development fund
• Purchase a property worth €350,000 (or rent one for €16,000 a year on a five year contract)
• Invest at least €150,000 in Maltese bonds or shares also for five years

No residence requirement

Applicants are not required ever to have lived on the island. Indeed, IIP applicants would only be required to visit to carry out the transactions that would lead to their citizenship. They would, however, be obliged to sign an 'oath of allegiance' to Malta.

Applicants would also be able to bring with them their spouse and any children aged below 26. They would also be able to bring their parents and grandparents. Each additional visa would cost either €25,000 or €50,000.

The Maltese government has insisted that it has not introduced the scheme because it is in financial difficulty. A spokesman for the prime minister Joseph Muscat told the EU Observer 'We have a strong economy. We're doing this to attract reputable people who can invest in the country'.

Malta – gateway to Europe

But, whatever the intentions of the Maltese government, it is highly likely that those applying for the IIP will have their eyes on other benefits that come with Maltese citizenship. These have little to do with Malta's pleasing Mediterranean climate and everything to do with the fact that Malta is an EU state.

The principle of free movement of people is enshrined in the EU constitution and so anyone who has a Maltese passport, particularly anyone with €650,000 to spend on that passport, can live anywhere in the EU; in London, Berlin, Rome or Saint Tropez as well as in Valetta.

As EU citizens, they will also have rights to travel to many other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with only the lightest of security checks

Security risk

Unsurprisingly, there is considerable disquiet, both among opposition MPs in the Maltese parliament, and in Brussels, that the Maltese scheme may pose a security risk unless the security checks are sufficiently stringent. There are concerns that this may not be the case.

The main ground for concern at present is that the scheme was devised by the Maltese government with the assistance of a London based consultancy. The London firm will also manage the scheme and stands to make at least £60m if the scheme is fully subscribed.

The firm, which we will not name here, is said to have made substantial campaign contributions to the Maltese Labour Party, Mr Muscat's party, before he was elected in 2013. The firm denies any wrongdoing.

Confidential business information

Mr Muscat has refused to reveal the details of the contract with the UK firm saying that to do so would expose confidential business information. This refusal has led some in Malta to suspect corruption.

A further concern arises because the London firm will be allowed to market the scheme to wealthy people from outside the EU but will also be in charge of carrying out security checks on applicants. This has led some to fear that it will favour its own clients over other applicants who apply through another immigration agency or in person.

In addition, because the London firm will only be paid for its security screening if an application is successful, some fear that it may be tempted to allow applicants to pass the security check even if there are legitimate grounds for concern.

Conflict of interest

One opposition MP, Jason Azzopardi, told the EU Observer 'It's like giving a teacher a stack of exam papers to mark and saying 'I'll give you €26,000 for every student who passes the exam.

European Union institutions are opposed to the Maltese scheme but it is not yet clear if there is anything that they can do to stop it.

The European Parliament censured Malta in a debate in early January 2014. The vote censuring Malta had no power to make Malta abandon the IIP but support for the motion was virtually unanimous with only 22 people opposing the motion, among these being Malta's Labour MEPs.

Citizenship is a matter for national governments –European Council

Mr Muscat will draw some comfort from the fact that The European Council has told MEPs that the terms under which citizenship is awarded to foreign applicants is a matter for national governments.

But it seems that the European Commission does not intend to leave the IIP in place if it can possibly prevent it. Viviane Reding has said that citizenship is not for sale. The Maltese news site Maltatoday reports that Ms Reding has asked for legal advice on whether the Commission can bar the Maltese scheme using Article 4.3 of the Treaty on European Union.

This article states that 'The Member States shall facilitate the achievement of the Union's tasks and refrain from any measure which could jeopardise the attainment of the Union's objectives.

European Commission 'not bluffing'

Maltatoday quotes an anonymous expert in EU law as saying 'I think the Commission is not bluffing and it has sufficient legal grounds for proceeding. It is increasing the tempo and taking its time to start infringement procedures to allow Malta to adjust its law'. The expert adds that the EC will probably allow the Maltese government time to change the law voluntarily. Only if it persists with the IIP scheme will it take Malta to the European Court of Justice.

For now, Malta appears to be standing fast. We will report on further developments.

If you would like to apply for a visa WorkPermit.com can help. WorkPermit.com is a specialist visa consultancy with 25 years of experience dealing with visa applications. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details.