Germany grants more professional visas.
How effective have the reforms been?
A collaborative announcement from three German government ministries indicated that by the end of the year, approximately 200,000 professional visas will have been issued.
“This signifies an increase of over 10%” in comparison to 2023, the announcement stated.
Furthermore, it was noted that there is “significant interest” in visas for studying in Germany, completing vocational training, or having foreign qualifications recognized.
The issuance of visas to students from non-EU countries increased by more than 20%. The rise for vocational trainees was even more pronounced, at around two-thirds, while the number of individuals seeking recognition for their foreign professional qualifications surged by nearly 50%.
Germany faces an annual shortfall of 400,000 skilled individuals, which hampers our economic growth. With the implementation of the Skilled Immigration Act, we have established the most progressive immigration legislation in Europe, fundamentally transforming the visa application process.
The Opportunity Card:
The Opportunity Card operates through a points-based system that assesses an individual’s eligibility based on their qualifications, knowledge, and experience.
Additional points are awarded for meeting criteria related to occupations identified as experiencing a labor shortage, partial recognition of foreign qualifications, age, proficiency in German and English, and any prior ties to Germany.
Applicants are required to demonstrate financial resources of approximately €1,000 ($1,050) per month for the entirety of their stay.
In the last five years, Germany has generated approximately 1.6 million jobs, with 89% of these positions filled by foreign nationals.
