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I was born in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. and grew up in Ontario, Canada.

Paris, France

I am currently working for ARTEX Technologies (SaS) as the Product Marketing Manager.

The short answer is, yes. I currently hold an EU Blue Card Resident Permit.

What is an EU Blue Card?

An EU Blue Card gives highly-qualified workers from outside the EU the right to live and work in an EU country, provided they have higher professional qualifications, such as a university degree, and an employment contract or a binding job offer with a high salary compared to the average in the EU country where the job is. The EU Blue Card applies in 25 of the 27 EU countries. It does not apply in Denmark and Ireland.

How long must one wait for a decision?

A decision is made within 90 days of the date an EU Blue Card application is registered.

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritized over non-EU citizens?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member states this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section on the official EU Immigration Portal).

France doesn't apply a labour market test.

What conditions must be fulfilled to apply for an EU Blue Card?

• The applicant must prove that they have 'higher professional qualifications', by showing a higher education qualification (such as a university degree). Some Member States may also accept at least five years of relevant professional experience. (see more in the FAQ section);

• The applicant must work as a paid employee - the EU Blue Card does not apply to self-employed work or entrepreneurs;

• The applicant's annual gross salary must be high, at least one and a half times the average national salary - except when the lower salary threshold applies; (for example, the minimum salary in France is ~53,000 Euros).

• The applicant must present a work contract or binding job offer in an EU country for at least one year;

• The applicant must have the necessary travel documents. The applicant must have health insurance for themselves and any relatives who come to the EU with them.

• The applicant must prove that they fulfill the legal requirements to practice their profession, where this profession is regulated (see more on regulated professions in the FAQ section).

Read more about the EU Blue Card here.

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