What is "blue card"

n. 1 A proposed EU-wide work permit allowing high-skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in any country within the European Union, excluding Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, which are not subject to the proposal. 2 (context AU English) (Queensland only) An identity card issued with police approval, stating that the person is of suitable character to work near children and young adults.

The blue card system is used in Queensland as a prevention and monitoring system for people working with children and young people. Other states have similar systems, but their cards are not called "blue cards".

Blue Card can refer to:

• Blue Card (Australia), a card required for working with children
• Blue Card (European Union), a proposed EU-wide work permit allowing employment to high-skilled non-Europeans within the European Union
• The Blue Card, the only organization in the United States to aid needy Holocaust survivors
• Blue card index system, a system used by double agent Brian Nelson to target individuals for execution
• Blue penalty card, a type of penalty card used in bandy and some association football leagues.

The Blue Card is an approved EU-wide work permit (Council Directive 2009/50/EC) allowing high-skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in any country within the European Union, excluding Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, which are not subject to the proposal. The term Blue Card was coined by the think tank Bruegel, inspired by the United States' Green Card and making reference to the European flag which is blue with twelve golden stars.

The Blue Card proposal presented by the European Commission offers a one-track procedure for non-EU citizens to apply for a work permit, which would be valid for up to three-years, but can be renewed thereafter. Those who are granted a blue card will be given a series of rights, such as favourable family reunification rules. The proposal also encourages geographic mobility within the EU, between different member states, for those who have been granted a blue card. The legal basis for this proposal was Article 63(3)and (4) of the Treaty of Rome (now Article 79 TFEU).