Who is eligible to apply for EU Blue Card visa and residence permit?
The EU Blue Card is specifically conceived for highly specialized workers with a job offer for employment or continuous professional cooperation with an Italian company.
Please note that the applicant can also be a minority shareholder of the company.
Subjective Requirements to apply for the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card application can be submitted by the highly qualified worker who meets at least one of the following requirements:
- the applicant should hold at least a bachelor’s university degree (with a minimum duration of 3 years); In this case, the applicant should submit a Declaration of Value of the University Degree issued by the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate of the foreign country where the applicant’s Degree was awarded (the Declaration of Value is not required if the applicant has obtained a Bachelor Degree or a Master Degree in the EU).
- having at least five years of professional experience ensuring a level of qualification comparable to a graduate, and relevant to the profession envisaged for future employment in Italy. The employer applying for the Certificate of No Impediment for the Blue Card has to attach a statement confirming the possession of the professional qualification. The statement should then be supported by previous employment contracts signed by the applicant and/or related payrolls.
- having at least three years of relevant professional experience acquired within the seven years prior to the date of application for the EU Blue Card Certificate of No Impediment. This option is however viable only for Managers and Specialists in the field of Information and Communication Technology.
- holding professional qualifications obtained in other EU countries that qualify them to carry out a “regulated” profession in Italy, pursuant to the requirements of the Legislative Decree No. 206 of 9 November 2007 (such as engineers, architects and any other profession can only be carried after obtaining a specific license).
Objective requirement to apply for the EU Blue Card
- The applicant should have a job offer for employment by an Italian company with a minimum duration of 6 months and with a gross yearly salary of at least 27.000 EUR.
EU Blue Card application: main procedural steps
If you intend to obtain an EU Blue Card, you must follow the following steps in the order presented below:
- applying for and collecting the ‘Nulla Osta’ (the Certificate of No Impediment issued by the competent Immigration Desk);
- filing the Visa application at the Italian Consulate;
- entering Italy and applying for the residence permit at the competent Police headquarter;
- registration of the applicant’s fingerprints at the Police headquarter;
- issuance of the residence permit.
Validity of the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card residence permit has a maximum validity of 2 years, and it is renewable.
The residence permit is renewable provided that its holder has worked for the Italian Company signatory of the initial job offer and that the foreign national is never absent from the Italian territory for longer than 6 continuous months.
The applicant can renew the residence permit on their own or be assisted by us.
How long does it take to get an EU blue card?
The average time frame to obtain the EU Blue Card Visa is approximately 3/4 months from the application for the Certificate of No Impediment (Nulla Osta). Once the applicant’s Visa has been issued, they can travel to Italy, apply for a residence permit, work, and reside there legally.
EU blue card benefits
The EU Blue Card offers several benefits to highly skilled non-EU nationals who wish to work and reside in an EU member state. Some of the key benefits of the EU Blue Card are:
- Mobility: holders of an EU Blue Card enjoy are allowed to travel across the Schengen area visa-free for a maximum time of 90 days every 6 months.
- Extra-Quota Application: there is no maximum number of EU blue cards that can be issued every year, as for in-quota applications. In other words, this type of application is not subjected to any quantitative restriction.
- Family Unity: the EU Blue Card also facilitates family unity, allowing the visa holder to be accompanied by their spouse and minor dependent children, or to be joined by these family members afterwards.
- Long-Term Residence: after holding the EU Blue Card for five years, individuals who have been civil and tax residents for this time, are eligible to apply for a long-term (also called permanent) residence permit in Italy.
- Social Benefits: EU Blue Card holders are entitled to access social benefits and services likewise national residents, including healthcare, education, and social security.
- Access to the EU Labour Market: the EU Blue Card promotes labour market mobility. After the first 18 months of employment with the Visa sponsor, it enables its holders to change employer within the same member state or move to another EU country and be employed there.
Get in Touch
Do not hesitate to write to us if you wish to have additional information on the requirements for this type of Visa and counselling on your specific case.
FAQ
- Can I apply for a blue card without job offer?
It is not possible to apply for the EU Blue Card without a job offer in Italy. In fact, the EU Blue Card is a work permit that is issued to highly skilled non-EU nationals who have a valid employment contract or a binding job offer from an employer in an EU member state. It is specifically designed to attract and facilitate the migration of qualified professionals to fill in-demand positions. Therefore, in order to apply for the EU Blue Card in Italy, you must secure a job offer from an Italian employer who is willing to sponsor your application. Without a job offer, you would not meet the eligibility criteria for the EU Blue Card.
- Do I need a Visa to work in Italy?
– If you are: A) neither an EU national, B) nor a national of the following countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; The Swiss Confederation; San Marino;
– and you intend to be employed by an Italian company and be physically present in Italy,
Then yes, you need an EU blue card Visa or another type of work Visa.
