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On Thursday, the European Parliament suggested a five-year visa for entrepreneurs and highly qualified migrant workers operating in the EU under legal contracts.
The suggestion is included in a paper that calls for a large-scale recruiting program for low- and middle-skilled third-country employees, as well as a framework for identifying their talents and credentials. As a result, MEPs believe that the labor shortfall in Europe caused by the aging population may be addressed.
“Europe is facing demographic and economic challenges. To tackle them and ensure that Europe is strong and competitive, we need labor migration. That is a fact. We need to make it more attractive for migrant workers to come to Europe and “put the system in order” to make sure the rules are followed, “said Abir al-Sahlani, a Swedish MEP from the Renew Europe group.
The five-year visa should be offered to entrepreneurs and company founders, as well as highly mobile employees such as artists and cultural experts. According to the European Parliament, the development of a five-year multiple-entry visa that enables visits of up to 90 days per year will encourage such persons to start a business in the EU.
MEPs are also pushing for a reassessment of the present regulations for long-term citizens, with the goal of allowing them to transfer to another Member State as soon as their authorisation expires, under conditions comparable to those already in place for European citizens. According to parliament, the number of years needed to receive a long-term residency visa in the EU should be decreased from five to three.
The European Parliament has also requested that the European Commission draft a proposal to streamline the application procedures for single permits, including visas, in the present legislation. This will allow applications to be submitted by both a Member State and a third nation if the applicant has a valid residence permit.
It is also suggested to amend the present restrictions for seasonal employees, enabling them to stay in the EU for three months while seeking for a new job, even if they do not have one. They should keep the present permission for the three-month term.
Source: europeantimes.news
