Inquiries and Responses - Enticing Migrant Workers with the Latest Opportunity Card
In various industries across Germany, there has long been a heavy reliance on individuals with foreign backgrounds. Last year, the number of residential permits issued to foreign workers from non-EU countries increased by 68,000 to reach 419,000.
However, the skills gap continues to widen. The German government aims to accelerate the recruitment of foreign talent, with the goal of matching the success of countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Today, the third stage of the Skilled Immigration Act becomes effective, which includes the following details:
How many skilled workers are missing in Germany?
There will be a need to replace approximately 7 million skilled workers by 2035 due to the aging population, asserts Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD). The shortage is particularly pronounced in sectors like nursing and the food industry. IT professionals are also in short supply, not only in private companies but also in public institutions. According to the Federal Employment Agency, only 707,000 job openings were reported in March - a reduction of 70,000 compared to the previous year.
What's new starting June 1st?
The opportunity card under the Skilled Immigration Act, enacted last year, will now be valid. This tool targets individuals from non-EU countries and seeks to streamline the flow of skilled workers into Germany. A contract with a German employer is not a requirement.
Furthermore, there are plans to expand the job opportunities for workers from the Western Balkan states. This could also benefit unskilled workers. However, applicants must already possess a job contract to enter Germany under the Western Balkan rule.
How does the opportunity card work?
Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) explains that the opportunity card focuses on language skills, qualifications, and professional experience to attract motivated and proficient individuals to Germany. The prerequisites include a minimum of a two-year vocational training or a university degree from the native country, along with proficiency in German or English. Applicants earn points based on language skills, work experience, age, and connection to Germany, with additional points for qualifications in shortage occupations. With the card, non-EU nationals can come to Germany and have a year to secure permanent employment. A one-time extension of two years is possible under certain conditions.
What has changed about the Western Balkan rule?
This rule will now make it easier for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia to access the German labor market. Thus far, the Federal Employment Agency has been issuing 25,000 approvals annually for workers from these states who have a job offer. This quota will be doubled, allowing 50,000 yearly approvals.
Does the Skilled Immigration Act no longer exist?
Germany enacted the Skilled Immigration Act in March 2020 with the aim of attracting qualified workers from non-EU countries. However, travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and bureaucratic challenges limited its impact. In November of the previous year, the first phase of the law's reformation took effect, simplifying the "Blue Card EU" and recognition of professionals.
What is effective since March?
The residence permits for foreigners based on professional experience, a fundamental component of the Skilled Immigration Act, have been in force since March. Skilled workers with degrees and professional experience can now enter Germany and work without prior recognition, as long as they can present a recognized education. This effort aims to reduce bureaucracy and expedite the process.
The job offer in Germany must ensure a gross annual salary of at least 40,770 euros for unskilled workers and 56,400 euros for professionals. Employers subject to tariff agreements have a slightly different requirement. To accommodate short-term high labor demand, temporary employment visas are now permitted. The Federal Employment Agency has set a quota of 25,000 for this in 2024.
Will these reforms encourage more workers to come?
According to Heil, the immigration prospects are now diverse enough to meet the needs of various companies. Nonetheless, there are significant hurdles, including high qualification requirements and bureaucratic procedures. Migration Commissioner Reem Alabali-Radovan (SPD) advocates for "intelligent, digital bureaucratic procedures," "immediate integration into daycare, German courses, or the labor market," and "systemic anti-racism."
Given the labor shortage of over 400,000 people per year, the Opportunity Card primarily represents an opportunity for Germany, says Green interior politician Misbah Khan. To make the most of these changes and become an even more attractive immigration destination, Germany must actively embrace them.
Compared to other traditional immigrant nations, the taxation and tax load in the Federal Republic is relatively high. This acts as a deterrent for high-skilled individuals in particular. Moreover, it has been reported that secure and low-cost housing is hard to find in certain conurbations. Some municipalities have recently shared that landlords asked for an employment security certificate from newforeignors wishing to rent.
Hence, could there be any future changes ahead?
"We're not done yet as legislators," states Ann-Veruschka Jurisch, a domestic affairs specialist for the FDP in the Bundestag. "We've decided to simplify immigration law; this is still an incomplete undertaking," adds the MP. She holds a lot of optimism for using Artificial Intelligence in reviewing applications from potential economic migrants. The Foreign Office is pioneering this initiative in this field. This is also crucial - waiting periods exceeding a year are unaffordable for Germany.
Read also:
- Despite the increase in residential permits for non-EU workers, the skills gap in Germany's labor market remains a challenge, with sectors like nursing and the food industry facing significant shortages.
- Robert Habeck, Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has emphasized the need to attract foreign talent to fill the skills gap, aiming to emulate the success of countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
- Hubertus Heil, the German Labor Minister from the SPD party, predicts that Germany will need to replace approximately 7 million skilled workers by 2035 due to the aging population.
- The third phase of the Skilled Immigration Act, introduced by Heil, became effective starting June 1st, including the validation of the opportunity card for individuals from non-EU countries.
- The opportunity card focuses on language skills, qualifications, and professional experience to attract skilled workers to Germany, with prerequisites of a two-year vocational training or university degree from the native country.
- The Federal Employment Agency in Berlin has reported only 707,000 job openings in March, a reduction of 70,000 compared to the previous year, highlighting the need for skilled workers in Germany's labor market.7.Under the Western Balkan rule, citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia can now apply for 50,000 yearly approvals for job offers, double the previous quota.
- Germany started recognizing professionals without prior recognition in March, severing the need for recognized education for skilled workers with degrees and professional experience.
- The German government introduced temporary employment visas to accommodate high labor demand in certain sectors, setting a quota of 25,000 for 2024.
- Ann-Veruschka Jurisch, an FDP domestic affairs specialist in the Bundestag, emphasized that legislators are not done simplifying immigration law and has expressed optimism for utilizing Artificial Intelligence in reviewing applications from potential economic migrants.
