New German Visa Designed For International Employees

Germany's government has authorised a programme to recruit qualified employees from outside the European Union.

Officials intend to facilitate the employment of foreign nationals by revising the existing immigration rules.

Initiatives to the Skilled Immigration Act prioritise those with technical or vocational education above those with a four-year degree. Regulations for those who have completed post-secondary education in their fields will also be loosened.

The administration approved the changes, as they must be approved by both chambers of parliament.

Germany, like many European nations, is experiencing difficulty filling skilled labour positions.

As reported by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the number of job openings in Germany reached a record high of 1.74 million during last year. However, over half of all businesses polled by research organisation IFO reported slowing down operations due to a lack of available workers.

The plan is to fill this void with skilled workers from outside the European Union. Yet, bureaucratic hurdles now hinder the nation's ability to accept new immigrants. According to Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Germany needs to reduce red tape, digitise processes, and increase productivity.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed.

“We know that we can only guarantee our future, the efficiency of our economy and the efficiency of our social security systems if we have enough skilled workers at our disposal.

“From within the European Union that's not so difficult, because there is freedom of movement. With regard to the rest of the world, it is a greater challenge,” he said.

Germany's plans to lure qualified people from abroad. With the help of a new "opportunity card," Germany plans to address its lack of trained employees.

The 'chancenkarte' will implement a scoring system to facilitate the immigration to Germany of people with necessary skills. The scoring system will include educational attainment, work history, age, proficiency in German, and connections to the country.

Worker quotas will be established annually based on industry demand. To be eligible for the programme, you must meet three out of the four requirements listed below.

• A certificate, diploma, or degree
• Three years' worth of work experience
• Fluency in German or experience living in the country are pluses.
• Aged 35 and under

The opportunity card will make it possible for foreign nationals to visit the country and apply for jobs and apprenticeships while they are already there. Candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their immediate living needs.

Craftspeople, electrical engineers, information technology experts, carers, nurses, and hospitality workers are all in high demand in Germany. According to the IFO, the hospitality and events sectors have taken the most blow. Manufacturing, notably in the food, data processing equipment, machinery, and metal production industries, follows after warehousing and storage. Numerous firms across industries, including retail, construction, and wholesale, have experienced difficulty finding qualified workers. The government website also lists doctors and scientists as in-demand professions. Metalworkers and construction workers are also needed.

The plan's specifics have not yet been finalised. It is not anticipated that the chancenkarte will be accessible before to the end of the year 2023 at the earliest.

 

Source: euronews.com