According to recent reports, Germany has made significant changes to visa rules for skilled workers in response to the growing demand for experienced professionals in such critical sectors such as engineering, information technology (IT) and healthcare. The country, which needs about 400,000 skilled workers to fill vacancies in specialized fields, has introduced a new initiative called the Opportunity Map.

The new visa system came into force on June 1, 2024, according to reports. Known as the Opportunity Card program, it allows non-European Union (EU) citizens to move to Germany for a year to explore job opportunities. The initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to address skills shortages in engineering, IT and healthcare.

To qualify for an Opportunity Card, applicants must have completed at least two years of vocational training or have a qualifying university degree degree in your country. Knowledge of German or English is required. In addition, applicants must provide sufficient financial resources, including part-time income, to support themselves in Germany for a year, totaling more than €12,000.

If reports are published, the initial deadline The validity of the residence permit will be extended to 24 months for persons receiving a residence permit for the first time, compared to the previous 18 months provided for the completion of adaptation measures. In addition, this permit can be extended for a further 12 months, bringing the maximum period of residence to three years. In addition, the allowance for additional work during the qualification process was increased from 10 to 20 hours per week, which facilitated the access of willing qualified workers to the labor market.

Germany also simplified the process of recognizing foreign qualifications under the new Skilled Immigration Act, introducing two new pathways. Individuals whose qualifications require a skills assessment to establish equivalency may be granted a residence permit for up to six months to complete this assessment. Applicants entering this route must demonstrate German language proficiency at level A2 or above (CEFR).

In an effort to simplify the immigration process for family members accompanying skilled workers, Germany has also removed the requirement for spouses or minor children provide evidence of sufficient living space when moving to join certain qualified professionals in the country. The purpose of this adjustment is to facilitate the transition of skilled workers with families to Germany.

Source: timesofindia

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