The European Parliament backed on 28 September a proposal for Directive on single work and residence permit, which will introduce a simplified administrative procedure and equal treatment with national workers on pay, working conditions and social security. This new regulations, drafted in 2007, will complement the blue card provisions.

The new “single permit” Directive seeks to ensure equal treatment between workers from non-EU states and national workers in areas such as pay, working hours and conditions, training and social security. However, the Member States can restrict equal treatment in certain circumstances, for example by requiring proof of a thorough knowledge of the language in order to follow education or training courses.

These provisions will dovetail with the EU blue card, which is designed to facilitate legal immigration where it meets the needs of the European labour market. It will allow citizens of non-EU countries to obtain a work permit and a residence permit through a single procedure at a one-stop shop.

The holder of a single permit would also acquire the right to travel through other Member States. Any decision to reject an application for a permit would have to be justified and there would be a right of appeal in accordance with national law.

The draft directive does not affect the rules on the admission of non-EU citizens, which are decided by the Member States, and does not cover seasonal labourers who are subject to different regulations. However, it guarantees non-EU citizens certain core rights and gives them a secure legal status, as a safeguard against exploitation.

Members of the European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee believe it is up to the Member States to decide whether an application for a single permit should be lodged in the non-EU country or the Member State of destination. If the application is not lodged in a non-EU country, it will have to be made by the applicant's employer.

This draft legislation was published in 2007 but the legal basis has changed as a result of the Lisbon Treaty and Parliament is dealing with it under the co-decision procedure with the Council of Ministers.