Germany’s new specialised personnel immigration law is designed to draw more qualified workers from outside the EU.
In the first half of this year, the Foreign Office issued over 80,000 work visas, with skilled workers receiving more than half of these, reports the German Press Agency.
This represents a significant rise from the prior year, when around 37,000 skilled worker visas were granted.
In 2023, over 157,000 work visas were issued by the Foreign Office, including 79,000 for skilled workers. However, the recently introduced Opportunity Card has seen limited uptake, with just about 200 visas granted under this scheme since its launch on June 1.
Eligibility for the Opportunity Card requires at least two years of recognized vocational training or an equivalent university degree, along with proficiency in German or English.
Applicants are scored based on their language skills, professional experience, age, and connections to Germany, with extra points awarded for qualifications in in-demand occupations.
Qualified individuals can relocate to Germany and have a year to secure permanent employment, with the possibility of a two-year extension under specific conditions.
Since its inception in 2020, the Skilled Immigration Law was updated in November 2023 to streamline processes for the “Blue Card EU” and other recognized skilled workers.
As of March, skilled workers possessing a degree and relevant experience can secure employment in Germany without prior recognition procedures if they have a job offer with a minimum gross annual salary of €40,770, or a salary matching a collective agreement if applicable.
As of June 1, employment opportunities for workers from Western Balkan nations have increased. EU citizens continue to enjoy the freedom to work anywhere within the EU.
The influx of workers from non-EU countries is also influenced by the complexity of the visa application process and the wait for appointments at German embassies or consulates.
With a focus on skilled worker visas and the ongoing digitalization of the visa process, expected to be complete by January 1, 2025, Germany is enhancing its ability to alleviate labour shortages and attract more skilled professionals to its workforce.
