Color Intel Exec Angry Over Blue Card Proposal by the EU, U.S. Inaction on Immigration

The European Union took a step in the right direction by proposing a change in immigration policy to attract the world's top talent.? It appears the next Silicon Valley may not be in the United States.? Read Ann All's article on the new "Blue Card."

Craig Barrett, chairman of Intel, minces few words in his opinion piece regarding the European Union's so-called Blue Card.

In the piece, which was recently published in The Washington Post and other major newspapers, he lauds European leaders for advancing a plan to create a temporary but renewable two-year visa that should make it easier for foreign workers to seek employment in EU countries. In contrast, he writes, the current ?byzantine system? in the U.S. ?increasingly threatens America?s long-term competitiveness? by making it difficult for companies like his to employ foreign-born professionals.

As I blogged back in October, Europe trails the U.S., Canada and Australia in attracting foreign workers to its shores. EU officials believe that making work requirements more consistent between its 27 member countries and increasing employment benefits will help change that.

While that may be true, a major hurdle still remains. The Blue Card proposal hasn't yet been approved by EU countries ? a fact that Barrett doesn?t mention until the final paragraph of his piece. And approval is far from assured, as a story on Deutsche Welle makes clear.

According to the story, Germany's interior minister worries that the plan may result in the EU eventually imposing immigration quotas. The Czech Republic and Bulgaria want native workers to receive employment priority over immigrants. Several other countries are asking for clarification on elements of the proposal, and Britain has opted not to participate and introduced an alternate plan of its own.

In India, home to many workers with the kinds of engineering and technology skills that the Blue Card proposal seems designed to attract, interest from the IT industry has been ?lukewarm,? reports The Business Standard.

An executive from Satyam Computer Services tells the newspaper that Europe "is not a very glamorous proposition for Indians ? compared with being in India." The cost of living is generally higher in Europe than in the U.S., he says, and there are more language difficulties.

According to the Economic Times, Indian officials would like the EU to include Blue Card provisions specific to India, such as waiving proposed requirements for a minimum one-year work contract and certain salary requirements.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Ann was a leading media authority on automated teller machines before coming to IT Business Edge to cover tech alignment and business value.? Read her blog, Straight to the Source, at IT Business Edge.

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The government of Canada has embassies with immigration offices in almost every country of the world. These offices issue visas to various categories of visa seekers. Visas are sought by visitors for temporary travel, sight seeing, or immigrating and permanently settling in Canada in various capacities. Skilled persons, businessmen, investors, self-employed persons and entrepreneurs are welcome to apply for visas, provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria.

Depending upon the situation prevailing at the time of applying for visas, the processing time for application for permanent residence visas may take from 12 to 40 months to finalize. Those who apply for permanent residence visas can also bring with them their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 22 years. In some cases the children above the age of 22 years can also be considered.

Persons applying for visas have to pay a certain amount of non-refundable fees. If you are a skilled worker, you have to pay $550 Canadian for yourself, as well as for each family member of your family who is 22 years of age or older. An additional fee of $75 is also charged for each family member under the age of 22 years. Also, a Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $975 CAD has to be paid before the visa is issued.

You will have to appear for an interview along with your spouse, if you have any, at the immigration office. In certain special circumstances, the interview condition for your spouse can be waived. The purpose of holding an interview is to ascertain the accuracy of the information in your application form, clarify the facts about your background, and to ensure that you possess the funds to settle in Canada. You should bring to the interview all original documentation supporting the application; any certificates of non-criminal conviction; and all evidence of settlement funds.

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