More efficient and without bureaucratic hurdles: These are the requirements for the new Law to further develop the immigration of skilled workers. In the future, existing barriers will be removed and the earnings threshold for the Blue Card will be lowered. This is intended to increase Germany's attractiveness as a place to work and live.
I can come to Germany as a skilled worker if I already have two years of professional experience and a degree from my home country. A new opportunity card based on a points system is also being introduced.
Germany has a high demand for skilled workers: It is estimated that there will be a shortage of around 2 million skilled workers by 2022. Furthermore, digitalization, demographic change, and climate change are just around the corner. These factors will mean that certain sectors will require significantly more skilled workers in the future. The shortage is already clearly evident in the nursing professions, the IT sector, and childcare.
In the future, there will be three options for the immigration of skilled workers to Germany:
The EU Blue Card will provide access to Germany in the future. It is based on a European directive and is aimed at academics.
The salary threshold will be lowered, the length of professional experience will be shortened and proof of German language skills will be waived.
In addition, career choices are no longer as limited as they once were: anyone with a degree can pursue any qualified occupation.
In addition, studying in Germany is to be made more attractive: the thresholds for part-time employment are to be lowered.
In the future, family reunification with a residence permit will also be made easier.
Another important point is experience: Anyone who can demonstrate at least two years of professional experience and holds a state-recognized professional qualification acquired abroad has the opportunity to come to Germany as a skilled worker.
The qualification no longer requires recognition in Germany. This shortens the bureaucratic process and accelerates the process.
A salary threshold ensures that these skilled workers have positive long-term prospects on the labor market.
If the required salary threshold is not reached, additional recognition of the professional qualification is necessary.
There is the possibility of a recognition partnership between me as an employee and the employer, so that the recognition process does not slow down the start of work.
The so-called Opportunity Card is being introduced for people who do not yet have a concrete job offer but who have potential for the labor market.
The chance map is based on a points system.
The evaluation criteria include qualifications, knowledge of German and English, professional experience, connection to Germany, age and the potential of the partner or spouse.
The Opportunity Card can be extended for up to two years. To do so, the foreign worker must present an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified employment in Germany. Approval from the Federal Employment Agency is also required.
Are you considering immigrating to Germany? Do you already have a professional qualification? As an immigration lawyer, I can assist you with all your legal challenges.
The hurdles for the immigration of skilled workers from third countries will also be lowered.
The Western Balkans regulation is to be made permanent and the quota doubled.
This means that more nationals from the six Western Balkan states of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are allowed to immigrate to Germany.
They can enter Germany for any job without having to prove professional qualifications.
IT specialists, who are particularly in demand nationwide, already have the opportunity to come to Germany without a recognized qualification.
The salary threshold and the length of required professional experience will be reduced.
In the future, IT professionals will no longer be required to provide evidence of German language skills.
Are you considering taking the step to Germany? Despite the numerous facilitations, immigration is extremely complex. As an immigration lawyer, I am at your side in all legal matters!
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