MEPs are about to give their final approval to the new improvements made to the European Blue Card program in order to attract more qualified workers from outside the EU, according to a statement released by the European Parliament last week.

In May of this year, officials from the European Parliament and the Council presidency achieved a temporary agreement to reform the restrictions for skilled employees from third countries, making it simpler for EU firms to hire workers from other nations.

“The revised directive on entry and residence conditions foresees more flexible criteria, including a lower threshold for the minimum salary that applicants must earn in order to qualify. It also expands the rights of beneficiaries to make it easier to move within the EU and be reunited with family faster,” the statement of the EU Parliament reads.

According to a press release issued by the Parliament, since the working-age population in the EU is constantly dropping, major implications will be felt on its labor force. The working-age population of the EU is expected to drop from 333 million in 2016 to 292 million by 2070.

Consequently, the Parliament will vote on the reform of the blue card system today, September 13. The new changes that are to be made to the Blue Card system would allow applicants to provide a valid work contract of at least six months instead of the current requirement, which asks for a 12-month valid contract.

In addition, the salary requirement will be reduced between one and 1.6 times the average gross annual pay in the individual Member State in order to make the system more accessible to more people, particularly new graduates and professions in need of labor.

The Blue Card holder will also be able to move to another EU Member State more freely after only one year of working in the nation where they initially settled. Apart from that, they will be able to bring their family members with them, as the new update has made it easier to bring families together.

Simultaneously, it was discovered that the newly modified laws will help current asylum seekers and refugees in the EU. They will be able to apply for a Blue Card in other EU nations under the new guidelines.

“By lowering the criteria for admission and strengthening the rights of Blue Cardholders and their families, Parliament hopes to increase the attractiveness of the EU Blue Card,” the Parliament added.

Even if the Parliament intends to make such modifications, EU countries can always refuse to renew Blue Card applications if it is proven that the bearer poses a threat to public security.