A vote on Thursday, 20 November 2008 by the European Parliament showed solid support for the EU Blue Card work and residence scheme for third-country skilled workers.

A European Parliament press release gave voice to people who could benefit from the EU Blue Card scheme, should it be passed. The scheme, which would allow non-EU workers to live and work almost anywhere in the EU if they have a job offer, has been gathering steam lately, with some sources saying the policy could become a reality by May of 2009.

On 4 November 2008, the EU Civil Liberties Committee said that the EU Blue Card scheme needs "clearer definitions". The committee proposed some clarifications, as well as more flexibility for European Union member states. They also urged members not to "steal" too much talent from third countries, a concern of some African nations.

The EU Blue Card, inspired by the United States Green Card, is designed to attract skilled talent from outside the European Union by giving them access to the 27 member states rather than having them deal with the separate immigration policies of each individual member.

According to the latest proposals for the Blue Card, the scheme would enable holders who have spent three years in their first EU country to access other member nations afterwards. The EU Blue Card would normally be valid for three years and renewable for a further two years.

The EU Blue Card -- a work and residence visa designed to make skilled immigration to the European Union easier -- is expected to be rubber-stamped during a European Union Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs meeting taking place on November 27-28, 2008 in Brussels.

On 22 October 2008, all European Union member states approved the plan for an 'EU Blue Card' -- a proposed system for attracting highly qualified immigrants to Europe. Bulgaria was the last EU state to withdraw objections to the plan.

The Blue Card scheme takes its inspiration from the US Green Card and was proposed by the European Commission in an attempt to make the EU more attractive to highly skilled migrants.