Germany has started the second round of its famous “Skilled Immigration Law”. On 1 March, many new work visas were started to help non-EU skilled workers successfully start working in Germany. Vocational training candidates, nurses, and workers with degree qualifications will benefit from the immigration rules.
The main changes announced according to the new skilled worker immigration rules are highlighted as follows:
- opportunities for those having two years of work experience and 2 years of recognized qualification;
- candidates interested in vocational training will have a streamlined entry path;
- qualification recognition candidates after getting a visa will be able to work in Germany part-time until they finish their project;
- tolerated asylum seekers (Duldung status holder) will be able to take part in vocational training programs;
- 25,000 new work visas for seasonal workers in 2024;
- nurses in the care sector, with recognized qualifications, will be able to get a work visa in Germany.
The German skilled worker visa rules were introduced back in November 2023 with the first round. The second round started on March 1, 2024, and in June 2024 last round of changes will be announced.
Germany needs a massive number of skilled workers as the country faces an aging population and a lack of demand-filling skilled workers issues. According to the latest estimates, about 2 Million skilled workers are required in the country on an urgent basis.
Vocational Training Possibilities for Tolerated Asylum Seekers
For tolerant people who can secure their livelihood, we are also creating more incentives to train with a residence permit for vocational training. The training companies also benefit from this.
Streamline the process for vocational training visa
Germany is making studying in Germany more attractive by making employment regulations more flexible. The government is abolishing the priority examination in vocational training. This allows training companies to fill their vacant training positions more quickly.
New regulations on professional experience and foreign qualifications
The new regulations on employment and recognition will come into force from March 2024. This applies, among other things, to the stay for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification. Even without their qualifications being formally recognized in Germany, foreign skilled workers will be allowed to work in non-regulated professions in Germany in the future. The prerequisite is at least two years of professional experience and a professional qualification recognized by the state in the country of origin with at least two years of training.
This means significant simplifications and therefore shorter procedures. However, a salary threshold or a collective bargaining agreement must be met. This is intended to prevent qualified specialists from ending up in the low-wage sector.
What is also new is that it is possible to take up employment in Germany with a so-called recognition partnership if the salary threshold is not reached. The future skilled worker can then – as long as this is permitted by professional law – receive a residence permit and start working in Germany from day one, even though their professional qualification is not yet recognized.
This also applies if qualification measures are still necessary. The recognition procedure or the existence of a notice of partial equivalence is not required before entry. Employees and employers undertake to carry out the recognition process quickly when issuing a visa. In addition to an employment contract, the prerequisite is at least two years of professional qualification.
Short-term employment work visa in sectors with high demand
The law also provides for the possibility of contingent short-term employment for sectors with particularly high needs. The Federal Employment Agency sets the quota: for 2024 it will be 25,000 foreign workers for all sectors. Harvest workers in agriculture are exempt from this.
This means that workers from non-EU countries can work in Germany for eight months, regardless of their qualifications. The prerequisite is an employer bound by collective agreements. The employment must be at least 30 hours per week and is subject to social insurance contributions from the first day. The employer must cover the travel costs.
Work visa for Nurses
Nurses will also get a chance to get a work visa. This is why qualified nursing assistants will be able to come to Germany and work here in the future. The prerequisite is that the training as a nursing assistant has been acquired or recognized in Germany.
Part-time work permission for qualification recognition or language course visas
There will also be improvements in other areas for non-EU foreigners if they come to Germany for educational purposes or language courses. They are allowed to do part-time jobs and are given more time to have their professional qualifications recognized.
Opportunity Card
The opportunity card stream will be announced in June 2024. This will allow foreigners to come to Germany on a point-based system without a job offer.