Labour immigration has a key role to play in driving economic development in the long term and in addressing current and future demographic challenges in the EU.
The EU is working on a number of interconnected measures which aim to produce flexible admission systems, responsive to the priorities of each EU country, while enabling migrant workers to make full use of their skills. These measures cover the conditions of entry and residence for certain categories of immigrants such as highly qualified workers, seasonal workers and intra-corporate transferees, as well as the establishment of a single work and residence permit.

The EU Blue Card Directive establishes the conditions of entry and residence of highly qualified non-EU nationals in EU countries.

Seasonal workers Directive sets the conditions of entry and stay of non-EU nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers.

Directive on intra-corporate transferees sets the conditions under which non-EU nationals can enter and work in the EU for an intra-corporate transfer.

The Single Permit Directive establishes a simplified application procedure and one single permit for both the right to work and stay in the EU.