Highly qualified workers from non-EU countries will be allowed to stay in Bulgaria with their families and practice their profession on the country's territory through the "blue card" permits, adopted on second reading in the parliament.

The "blue card" aka Blue European Labor Card, which is an approved EU-wide work permit, is part of the amendments to the Foreigners Act, adopted on Thursday.

The text of the amendments states that foreign citizens will be granted a "blue card" if they have a Bulgarian visa and if they are highly qualified professionals.

The decision for the issuing of the permit will be taken after approval from the Bulgarian Labor Ministry and will be valid for a year. Extension would be allowed if the country continues to suffer shortage of specialists.

The amendments envision four types of period of residence for foreigners in Bulgaria. The short-term stay is limited to 90 days with the possibility of one extension.

Permission for long-term residence will be granted for two periods - of one and five years, with the possibility of extension. Permission for permanent residence will be given for an indefinite period of time.

According to the law, residence permit can be issued for humanitarian reasons. The amendments also introduce rules for family reunion of foreigners living in Bulgaria and for withdrawal of permits, one of the reasons for which would be a fake marriage or adoption.