Subject matter
1. This Directive lays down:
(a)
a single application procedure for issuing a single permit for third-country nationals to reside for the purpose of work in the territory of a Member State, in order to simplify the procedures for their admission and to facilitate the control of their status;
(b)
a common set of rights to third-country workers legally residing in a Member State, irrespective of the purposes for which they were initially admitted to the territory of that Member State, based on equal treatment with nationals of that Member State.
2. This Directive shall not affect the right of Member States to determine volumes of admission of third-country nationals in accordance with Article 79(5) TFEU.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions apply:
(1)
‘third-country national’ means a person who is not a citizen of the Union within the meaning of Article 20(1) TFEU;
(2)
‘third-country worker’ means a third-country national who has been admitted to the territory of a Member State and who is legally residing and is allowed to work in the context of an employment relationship in that Member State in accordance with national law, collective agreements or practice;
(3)
‘single permit’ means a residence permit issued by the authorities of a Member State allowing a third-country national to reside legally in its territory for the purpose of work;
(4)
‘single application procedure’ means any procedure leading, on the basis of a single application made by a third-country national, or by the employer of that third-country national, for the authorisation of residence and work in the territory of a Member State, to a decision ruling on that application for the single permit.
Scope
1. This Directive applies to third-country nationals who:
(a)
apply to reside in a Member State for the purpose of work;
(b)
have been admitted to a Member State for purposes other than work in accordance with Union or national law, who are allowed to work and who hold a residence permit in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002; or
(c)
have been admitted to a Member State for the purpose of work in accordance with Union or national law.
2. This Directive does not apply to third-country nationals:
(a)
who are family members of citizens of the Union who have exercised, or are exercising, their right to free movement within the Union in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 20 ) ;
(b)
who, together with their family members, and irrespective of their nationality, enjoy rights of free movement equivalent to those of citizens of the Union under agreements either between the Union and the Member States or between the Union and third countries;
(c)
who are posted for as long as they are posted;
(d)
who have applied for admission or have been admitted to the territory of a Member State to work as intra-corporate transferees in accordance with Directive 2014/66/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 21 ) ;
(e)
who have applied for admission or have been admitted to the territory of a Member State as seasonal workers in accordance with Directive 2014/36/EU or as au pairs;
(f)
who are authorised to reside in a Member State on the basis of temporary protection in accordance with Council Directive 2001/55/EC ( 22 ) , or who have applied for authorisation to reside there on that basis and are awaiting a decision on their status;
(g)
who are beneficiaries of international protection under Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 23 ) or who have applied for international protection under that Directive and whose application has not been the subject of a final decision;
(h)
who are beneficiaries of protection in accordance with national law, international obligations or the practice of a Member State or who have applied for protection in accordance with national law, international obligations or the practice of a Member State and whose application has not been the subject of a final decision;
(i)
who are long-term residents in accordance with Directive 2003/109/EC;
(j)
whose removal has been suspended on the basis of fact or law;
(k)
who have applied for admission or who have been admitted to the territory of a Member State as self-employed workers;
(l)
who have applied for admission or have been admitted as seafarers for employment or work in any capacity on board of a ship registered in or sailing under the flag of a Member State.
3. Member States may decide that Chapter II does not apply to third-country nationals who have been either authorised to work in the territory of a Member State for a period not exceeding six months or who have been admitted to a Member State for the purpose of study.
4. Chapter II does not apply to third-country nationals who are allowed to work on the basis of a visa.
5. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, point (h) of this Article, Chapter III applies to beneficiaries of protection in accordance with national law, international obligations or the practice of a Member State, if in accordance with national law they are allowed to work.
