Anneleen Van Bossuyt makes labour migration easier for highly skilled workers: “Smoother procedures for talent, tougher action against fraud”

The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs has approved, at second reading, a bill simplifying procedures for highly skilled workers from outside the European Union. The European Blue Card will make it quicker and easier for companies to recruit international talent. “At the same time, we are tightening the rules to prevent abuse of the labour migration system,” says Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt.

Exclusively for highly skilled talent

The European Blue Card allows highly qualified workers from outside the EU to live and work in Belgium, provided they meet strict eligibility requirements. Applications will now be processed within a maximum of 90 days. Mobility within Europe will also become easier. For example, a European Blue Card holder will be able to travel temporarily to another EU country for a work-related project without having to apply for an additional work permit.

“Our first priority is to get people who already live in Belgium into work. But we also have to be realistic: some companies need highly specialised skills and expertise that they simply cannot find locally,” says Minister Van Bossuyt. “If we want to keep our economy strong and competitive, we need to be able to attract that talent. We should not deter highly skilled professionals who can help our businesses grow with unnecessarily complicated procedures.”

Strict requirements, streamlined procedures

Simplifying the procedures does not mean relaxing the requirements for labour migration. Highly skilled workers must still meet strict criteria, including those relating to salary, qualifications and working hours. What will change is the removal of unnecessary administrative barriers, making Belgium more attractive in the global competition for talent.

At the same time, the Immigration Office will be given greater powers to tackle fraud and abuse within the broader framework of the single permit system. Applications can now be rejected more easily where there are serious doubts about the authenticity of documents or where sham companies have been set up solely to secure entry into Belgium for individuals, rather than to genuinely employ them.

Workers who fall victim to serious violations by their employers, such as the systematic non-payment of wages, will also receive greater protection. Under certain conditions, they may be given six months instead of three to find a new job.

“Labour migration can strengthen our economy, but it must never become a back door for abuse,” Minister Van Bossuyt concludes. “That is why we are making procedures easier for those who genuinely come here to work, while taking tougher action against fraud.”