The government of Germany gave its final approval to a law that aims to make it easier for non-EU skilled workers to move to the country in July of this year, with a part of the law expected to enter into force next month.
Following the approval, the authorities said that the law is expected to become effective in three steps in November 2023, March 2024 and June 2024.
This means that some parts of the law that will permit skilled workers from third countries to move to Germany will be implemented in less than a month, facilitating work migration and combating labour shortages.
While the changes to the Skilled Immigration Act will mainly focus on workers from non-EU countries with non-academic training, the German authorities have stressed that the existing rules for qualified professionals holding university degrees will also be relaxed.
As Euronews explains, one of Germany’s plans to combat the labour shortage is to introduce a so-called “opportunity card”.
The opportunity card will use a points system to permit workers with certain required skills to move to Germany more easily.
This system that is based on points will take into consideration qualifications, age, professional experience, German language skills, as well as ties to Germany, and once obtained, the card will serve as a residence permit.
Based on the industries that need workers, Germany will set quotas every year, and those wishing to move to the country will be required to meet three out of the four criteria listed below to be able to apply for the scheme:
- Hold a degree or vocational training
- Have three years of professional experience
- Have German language skills or proof of having previously stayed in Germany
- Be 35 years of age or younger
The opportunity card will also allow people to enter Germany and look for a job while in the country instead of applying from abroad.
In line with the changes Germany plans to make, professional qualifications will also be recognised under more facilitated rules.
Moreover, qualified job seekers who hold degrees or vocational certificates will also be permitted to stay in the country for up to a year with the purpose of searching for employment. During the time that foreigners are looking for full-time employment, they will be permitted to work up to 20 hours per week.
In addition to the above-mentioned, it will also be easier for workers to bring their families to Germany. It will also be easier for them to gain residency.
The details of the scheme are yet to be formalised. However, the opportunity card is not expected to become available tun the end of this year, meaning that the majority of facilitated rules will start applying from the second phase that is expected to enter into force in March.
