13/03/24 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 13 March, the European Parliament approved by 465 votes to 122 (27 abstentions) the agreement reached with the EU Council on the new rules for a single permit for third-country workers (see EUROPE 13318/2). Permit applications will have to be processed within 90 days (30 days more in some cases); permit holders will be able to apply from within the EU, if they already have a valid residence permit, and will be able to change employer or sector simply by notifying the authorities. If they become unemployed, they will be able to keep their permit for 3 months, or 6 months if they have held the permit for more than two years. Authorities will be able to test the labour market before approving an application. They may also require that there be no change of employer within a 6-month period. (SP)