Parliament and Council of EU improve single residence and work permit rules

Article summary

The European Parliament and Council of the EU have agreed on the advancement of EU rules to issue combined work and residence permits quicker for third-country nationals. The timeframe within which a decision should be made on applications for a single permit has been reduced from four months to 90 days. This limit excludes the period of time taken to deliver the visa. Time limits in complex applications may be extended by a further 30 days. The new rules allow for single permit holders to change employers, occupation and the work sector. A simple notification by the new employer will suffice and national authorities will have 45 days to oppose the change. If a permit holder becomes unemployed, they will have up to three months to find another job before the permit is withdrawn. In cases where a permit was held for over two years, the holder will have up six months to find...