The German government has given its final approval to a law aimed at easing the migration of skilled workers from outside the European Union into the country. The law was approved in July of this year, and part of it is expected to come into effect next month.
Following the approval, authorities have announced that the law will be implemented in three stages in November 2023, March 2024, and June 2024. This means that some portions of the law allowing skilled workers from third countries to migrate to Germany will be put into practice in less than a month, making labor migration more accessible and addressing labor shortages.
While changes to the skilled worker immigration law will primarily focus on non-academic trained workers from outside the EU, German authorities have emphasized that the current rules for qualified professionals with university degrees will also be relaxed.
As explained by EuroNews, one of Germany’s strategies to combat labor shortages is the introduction of the “Opportunity Card.” The Opportunity Card will use a points-based system to make it easier for workers with specific required skills to move to Germany. This point system will take into account qualifications, age, professional experience, German language skills, as well as ties to Germany. Once obtained, the card will serve as a residence permit.
Based on the industries in need of workers, Germany will determine quotas each year. Those wishing to move to the country will be required to meet three of the four criteria mentioned below in order to apply for the scheme: having a university degree or vocational training, possessing three years of professional experience, having German language skills, or having prior residency in Germany. The Opportunity Card will also allow individuals to enter Germany and search for work while in the country, rather than applying from abroad.
In line with the changes Germany plans to implement, professional qualifications will also be recognized under more lenient rules.
Furthermore, qualified job seekers with academic degrees or professional certificates will also be allowed to stay in the country for up to a year for job hunting purposes. During the time foreign nationals are job hunting full-time, they will be permitted to work for up to 20 hours a week.
In addition to the above, it will also be easier for workers to bring their families to Germany, and obtaining residence will be more straightforward. Official details of the scheme have not yet been finalized, but it is not expected that the Opportunity Card will be available until the end of the current year. Most of the relaxed rules are expected to begin implementation during the second phase, scheduled to take effect in March of next year.
