THE AMENDED IMMIGRATION LAW ATTRACTS SKILLED WORKFORCE IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

This is part of Germany’s extensive immigration policy reform plan to address the severe labor shortage that is weighing on Europe’s largest economy.

Starting from November 18, 2023, the first changes in the ‘Amended Immigration Law,’ passed by the German Parliament this past summer, aimed at attracting skilled workers from non-European Union (EU) countries, will come into effect.

The new regulations will be implemented in three phases, beginning on November 18, 2023. Some additional amendments will take effect on March 1, 2024, and finally on June 1, 2024.

This is part of a comprehensive immigration reform plan aimed at addressing the severe labor shortage weighing on Europe’s largest economy.

In a context where German employers face a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of skilled workers each year, especially in fields such as Information Technology (IT), healthcare, construction, logistics, etc., the amended immigration law introduces more employment opportunities and easier conditions than previous regulations to attract skilled workers while also improving Germany’s economic situation.

Under the newly effective regulations, the new immigration policy will be based on a points system with five criteria: professional qualifications, German language proficiency, work experience, ties to Germany, and age.

The points system will prioritize individuals according to the following: 4 points for those with professional qualifications in a particular trade, 3 points for those who speak German or English, and an additional 2 points for individuals under 35 years old.

If your total score is above 6, you will be granted an “EU Green Card” (temporary residence permit) without needing to meet all five criteria.

The biggest advantage is that skilled workers with education or vocational certificates can enter Germany with an “EU Green Card” without the need for German language proficiency. Particularly in the IT sector, skilled workers without a university degree can still obtain the “EU Green Card” if they can prove they have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. Nursing professionals with less than 3 years of experience are also permitted access to the German labor market.

The current salary threshold to qualify for an “EU Green Card” in Germany is €56,400 per year. The new law reduces this to €43,992 per year for sectors experiencing severe shortages, such as scientific research, healthcare, and IT.

Previously, it was only possible to apply for a temporary residency in Germany if you held a relevant vocational certificate. However, under the new law, anyone with a vocational certificate can seek employment in Germany, even if they choose to pursue a different trade unrelated to their original certification.

With Germany’s new immigration law, the country’s Ministry of the Interior estimates that at least 60,000 skilled workers from non-EU countries could be attracted each year.

Source: tuoitre.vn