“Foreign skilled workers are indispensable”

type:
News

, Topic:
Migration

, Date:
30 November 2022

The Federal Cabinet will make it easier for foreign workers to come to Germany by removing bureaucratic obstacles.

Source:
Henning Schacht

“We are modernising our immigration law to make it easier for foreign skilled workers to come to Germany”, said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser after today’s cabinet meeting in Berlin.
If people have professional experience or personal potential, they should have the opportunity to acquire further qualifications and seek employment in Germany, Faeser said during a joint press conference with Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil, Federal Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck and Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger.

Making immigration processes quicker, more digital and family-friendlier

Today, the Federal Cabinet agreed on key points regarding the immigration of skilled workers. The aim is to modernise Germany’s immigration law and make the relevant processes quicker, more digital and family-friendlier. “The immigration of skilled workers, including workers from outside Europe, is indispensable”, Ms Faeser explained. “We must take advantage of this potential and remove bureaucratic obstacles”.

Bundesinnenministerin Faeser mit Bundesarbeitsminister Heil und Bundeswirtschaftsminister Habeck (Larger version opens in new window)



Source: Henning Schacht

Three pillars for the immigration of skilled workers

According to the Federal Government’s plans, the immigration of foreign workers will be based on three pillars. The skilled workers pillar will make it easier for foreign skilled workers with a university-level degree to bring family members to join them in Germany. It will also be easier for them to acquire permanent residence, with permission to change jobs at will.
The experience pillar will allow foreign workers with professional experience to work in Germany even if their vocational or higher education qualifications have not officially been recognised. The advantage of this pillar is that foreign workers can gain professional experience in Germany and improve their language skills while working here.
The prospects pillar is aimed at third-country nationals who do not yet have an employment contract in Germany but have good prospects of finding a job. Such individuals may seek employment in Germany for up to one year while taking up secondary employment or working on a trial basis. Permission for a person to stay in Germany for this purpose will be granted based on a points system. The selection criteria will include the person’s qualifications, language skills, professional experience, their connection to Germany and their age.

Strengthening Germany’s position in the competition for skilled labour

It will also be possible for foreign workers to work temporarily in occupations that face acute labour shortages and do not require specific qualifications. In addition, the Federal Government aims to reinforce the global promotion of Germany as an attractive, innovative and diverse country of immigration, to increase the number of language courses in Germany and abroad, and to make administrative and visa procedures more transparent and digital.