How to Apply for a Luxembourg Skilled Worker Visa in 2024

Luxembourg is a small but prosperous country in the heart of Europe, offering a high quality of life, a multicultural environment, and a dynamic economy. If you are a non-EU citizen who wants to work in Luxembourg as a skilled worker, you will need to obtain a visa and a residence permit before you can start your job.

In this post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on the Luxembourg skilled worker visa, which is also known as the EU Blue Card. We will explain the necessary conditions, procedures, and rights associated with this type of visa. Additionally, we will share some helpful tips and links to assist you with your application process.

What is the Luxembourg Skilled Worker Visa?

The Luxembourg skilled worker visa is a type of residence permit that allows non-EU citizens to work in Luxembourg as highly qualified employees. It is based on the EU Blue Card scheme, which aims to attract and retain talented workers from outside the EU.

The Luxembourg skilled worker visa has several benefits, such as:

• It is valid for up to four years, or the duration of the employment contract plus three months, whichever is shorter.
• It allows the holder to work for any employer in Luxembourg, as long as the job meets the criteria of the visa.
• It grants the holder equal rights and benefits as Luxembourg nationals, such as social security, health care, education, and recognition of qualifications.
• It allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• It facilitates the mobility of the holder within the EU, as they can apply for a new EU Blue Card in another EU member state after 18 months of residence in Luxembourg.
• It enables the holder to apply for a long-term residence permit or citizenship in Luxembourg after five years of continuous residence.

What are the Conditions for the Luxembourg Skilled Worker Visa?

In order to apply for the Luxembourg skilled worker visa, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be a citizen of a country outside the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland.
• You must have a valid passport and, if required, a visa to enter Luxembourg.
• You must have a higher professional qualification, which means either a university degree of at least three years or a professional experience of at least five years in a senior position.
• You must have a binding job offer or a work contract for at least one year in Luxembourg, for a job that matches your qualification and pays at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Luxembourg (€81,900 in 2021).
• You must have adequate health insurance coverage for yourself and your family members.
• You must not pose a threat to public order, security, or health.

What are the Procedures for the Luxembourg Skilled Worker Visa?

The procedures for the Luxembourg skilled worker visa consist of two main steps: applying for an authorisation to stay and applying for a residence permit.

Applying for an Authorisation to Stay

The first step is to apply for an authorisation to stay (autorisation de séjour) from the Luxembourg Immigration Directorate. You must do this before you enter Luxembourg or within three months of your arrival.

To apply for an authorisation to stay, you must submit the following documents:

• A completed and signed application form, which you can download from the Immigration Directorate website.
• A copy of your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of departure from Luxembourg.
• A copy of your visa, if required.
• A copy of your higher professional qualification, translated into French, German, or English by a sworn translator.
• A copy of your job offer or work contract, stating the duration, the salary, and the job description.
• A proof of health insurance coverage, valid in Luxembourg and covering all risks.
• A criminal record certificate, issued by the authorities of your country of residence, not older than three months.
• A fee of €80, payable by bank transfer to the Immigration Directorate account.

You must send these documents by post to the following address:

Direction de l’immigration Service des étrangers 26, route d’Arlon L-1140 Luxembourg

The Immigration Directorate will process your application within 90 days. If your application is approved, you will receive an authorisation to stay by post, which is valid for 90 days. If your application is rejected, you will receive a negative decision by post, which you can appeal within 15 days.

Applying for a Residence Permit

The second step is to apply for a residence permit (titre de séjour) from the Luxembourg Immigration Directorate. You must do this within three months of receiving your authorisation to stay.

To apply for a residence permit, you must submit the following documents:

• A completed and signed application form, which you can download from the Immigration Directorate website.
• A copy of your authorisation to stay.
• A copy of your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of departure from Luxembourg.
• A copy of your visa, if required.
• A proof of address in Luxembourg, such as a rental contract, a utility bill, or a certificate of residence issued by the municipal administration.
• A medical certificate, issued by a doctor in Luxembourg, confirming that you have undergone a medical examination and a tuberculosis test.
• A fee of €80, payable by bank transfer to the Immigration Directorate account.

You must send these documents by post to the same address as above, or submit them in person at the Immigration Directorate office, by appointment only.

The Immigration Directorate will process your application within 30 days. If your application is approved, you will receive a residence permit by post, which is valid for the same duration as your authorisation to stay. If your application is rejected, you will receive a negative decision by post, which you can appeal within 15 days.

What are the Rights of the Luxembourg Skilled Worker Visa?

The Luxembourg skilled worker visa grants you the following rights:

• You can work for any employer in Luxembourg, as long as the job meets the criteria of the visa.
• You can change your employer or your job, as long as you notify the Immigration Directorate within 15 days and submit a new job offer or work contract.
• You can bring your spouse and your children under 18 years old to Luxembourg, as long as they meet the conditions for family reunification.
• You can travel freely within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• You can apply for a new EU Blue Card in another EU member state after 18 months of residence in Luxembourg, without having to return to your country of origin.
• You can apply for a long-term residence permit or citizenship in Luxembourg after five years of continuous residence, subject to certain conditions.

Useful Links and Tips for the Luxembourg Skilled Worker Visa

Here are some useful links and tips to help you with your Luxembourg skilled worker visa application:

• Visit the Immigration Directorate website for more information and guidance on the Luxembourg skilled worker visa.
• Check the EU Immigration Portal for more information and guidance on the EU Blue Card scheme.
• Contact the Immigration Directorate by phone (+352 247-84040) or by email (immigration.public@mae.etat.lu) for any questions or assistance regarding your application.
• Consult the House of Entrepreneurship website for more information and support on working and doing business in Luxembourg.
• Visit the Just Arrived website for more information and advice on living and working in Luxembourg.
• Join the Expatica website for more information and resources on expat life in Luxembourg.