From Going Global...
EU Blue Card: an invitation to skilled non-EU nationals
www.expatica.com
Our experts at Ernst & Young update you on the recently adopted Blue Card Directive and what that means for highly qualified third-country nationals thinking of working in the EU.
On 25 May, the Council of the European Union adopted the Blue Card Directive, aimed at establishing more attractive conditions for third-country workers to take up highly qualified employment in the EU, by creating a fast-track procedure for issuing a special residence and work permit: the ‘EU Blue Card’.
The Blue Card is intended to facilitate the holder’s access to the EU labour market and thereby attract and retain highly qualified third-country workers to the EU, with the ultimate goal of creating the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy worldwide.
To this end, the directive determines the common criteria to be set by the EU member states for applicants of the Blue Card, without prejudice to the member state’s autonomy to maintain and introduce new national residence permits for any purpose of employment, and without compromising its autonomy to determine how many third-country workers are admitted.
Common criteria for admission The admittance criteria for an EU Blue Card mainly concern:
Employment contract: the applicant must have been offered a job in the EU for at least one year.
Level of pay: the gross monthly wage must not be inferior to a national level defined by the EU member states which shall be at least 1.5 times the gross monthly or annual average wages in the member state in question.
Qualifications: higher education qualifications or higher professional qualifications are required to qualify.
Application procedure The third-country worker must lodge their application for the Blue Card in the EU member state where they wish to work. The competent authorities there must take a decision within 90 days of the application being lodged.
Blue Card holder rights The Blue Card will allow third-country workers to be employed in any EU member state except Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark, and enjoy certain social and welfare rights for themselves and their family members for a renewable period from one to four years. A Blue Card holder will also have the right to move freely with their family within the Schengen area for a total of up to three months.
After 18 months of legal residence as an EU Blue Card holder in one member state, the person concerned and their family may move, under certain conditions, to another member state for the purpose of highly qualified employment.
Next steps The 24 member states who have signed up for the Blue Card Directive have two years—till 19 June 2011—to transpose the directive into national law. Since the move to national law may result in simplified immigration procedures for third-country workers in some countries, its progress will be watched with anticipation by those intending to move to the EU for employment. For further information, please contact your local Ernst & Young Human Capital professional or Edith de Bourgraaf (tel. +31 10 406 85 42, email edith.de.bourgraaf@nl.ey.com) or Anne Kwint (tel. + 31 88 407 12 54, email anne.bijleveld@nl.ey.com).
Source: http://www.expatica.com/be/employment/employment_information/EU-Blue-Card_-inviting-skilled-non_EU-nationals-to-Europe_14446.html?ppager=0

Are you from India?
The majority of Indian students I meet that are studying here at UB are interested in working in the U.S. after graduation. The students I have met with over the years have been outstanding industry candidates and yet many have still been extremely challenged to secure work in the U.S. It is possible but difficult.
Now, looking a few years past graduation... Some of those exemplary industry candidates secured positions and have led successful careers. Although as their careers have grown, often also have their families and thoughts about returning to India. In fact so many Indians are considering returing to India that groups have formed to assist each other in the transition. I encourage you to learn about this movement:
- google R2I
- http://www.r2iclubforums.com/
- http://r2i2010.blogspot.com/
- http://www.r2i.com/ or http://www.r2i.org/

Best, Holly M. Justice, Engineering Career Counselor

Program on U.S. Immigration laws

IMMIGRATION AND YOU:

THE U.S. IMMIGRATION LAW IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Saturday, February 7, 2009

• Transitioning from F-1/OPT to H-1B Status (Timing/Cost)
• H-1B (USCIS) and (Consular) Processing - Practical Tips
• Addressing the audiences' questions regarding myths/Reality of H-1B and other non-immigrant (temporary) categories
• Sponsorship for the coveted "Green Card" (Options/Costs/Timing)
• Current processing trends PERM/Green Card visa delays
• Work authorizations, traveling, dependent matters, maintenence of status while permanent residency is pending

108 O'BRIAN HALL (NORTH CAMPUS)
UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO LAW SCHOOL
BUFFALO, NY 14260

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Are you a foreign student preparing to graduate? Are you currently employed in H-1B status or a permanent residency case is pending and you are planning to transfer to another employer?
Are you an employer seeking to hire foreign workers?

Find out more about temporary and permanent residency options that exist.

Presented by Malik & Popiel, P.C.

www.globallawsolutions.com

Jitesh Malik, Esq., Managing Partner
Malik & Popiel, P.C. (New York, N.Y.)
Tel: (212) 545-7770

&

Mark P. Popiel, Esq., Managing Partner
Malik & Popiel, P.C. (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Tel: (716) 689-7770

Attendence is free. Limited Seating. Please register at register@globallawsolutions.com

Email us your questions that you would like us to address.

For International Students -

NACE International Student Virtual Career Fair - NOW OPEN
View employers at: http://asp.symplicity.com/nacelinkvcf/

I am pleased that NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) is working to assist international students in some way but I am disappointed in the number of employers who have chosen to participate this year. At this point, there are 14 companies listed, which is significantly down from last year.

I know that many UB International students are seeking full-time employment in the U.S. This career fair is not designed to assist you with that search. See below:

"Who May participate?"
International students currently studying in the United States attending NACE-member colleges and universities who:
- Wish to return to their home country for full-time or internship opportunities,
- Are currently pursuing one-year Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunities in the United States, and/or
- Are currently pursuing summer Curricular Practical Training (CPT) internships in the United States

I wish you the best in your search.
Holly M. Justice - Engineering Career Counselor