The new Skilled Immigration Act provides more pathways for skilled workers to enter the German labour market. The doors have recently opened for non-European Union citizens with vocational and non-academic training to relocate to Germany in search of employment. Professionals with appropriate degrees will continue to be subject to the present regulations, with minor modifications.
Requirements For Entry Into Germany In General
There are a variety of paths to German citizenship, each with its own set of qualifications but also certain commonalities. The following requirements must be met to be allowed to relocate to Germany:
Demonstrate Sufficient Resources
There is a financial requirement for each category of immigration, but all applicants must show that they have enough money to support themselves while in Germany. You should still be prepared with emergency finances even if you have a job offer in Germany.
Comprehend The Importance Of Health Insurance
Do not even bother applying for German residency without proof of medical coverage. Since it is unclear if German authorities would recognise your international health insurance, it is best to get German health insurance. Learn more about the many health insurance options available to freelancers, employees, and expatriates in Germany.
Be Able To Communicate In German At A Minimal Level
You'll need to learn German to make a life for yourself in Germany. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages has three tiers of linguistic competence: A, B, and C. Each consists of a pair of components. The linguistic competence levels are designated as A1 for absolute beginners, A2 for intermediate speakers, and C1 for native speakers. It is necessary to take and pass the tests up to the A1 or B2 level to immigrate to Germany. You'll require C1 or C2 level competence if you wish to stay indefinitely in the country.
Obtain A Visa For Germany
To enter Germany, citizens of these countries must first apply for and get a visa. A visa is not required for citizens of any other country to enter Germany. After visiting Germany without a visa, they are eligible to apply for a residence permit.
Just What Does This New Legislation Alter?
Professionals from outside the EU who meet the new legislation requirements will have easier access to working in Germany. Here are some of the main distinctions:
Experts In Their Fields:
Professional Criteria for Qualifications: The Skilled Immigration Act recognises the following individuals as skilled workers:
Individuals with a German vocational qualification (for which a training time of at least two years is normally necessary) or an international vocational qualification recognised as comparable to a German vocational qualification. Shorter vocational training programmes outside of Germany may be recognised as equal to qualified vocational training in Germany, provided there are no significant discrepancies between the two or if the gaps have been accounted for.
Those Who Have A Degree Equivalent To A German University Degree
Opportunities in Germany's Job Market: The door to the workforce has been opened wider. A work offer or employment contract from a German company is required, as are qualifications recognised in Germany. The Federal Employment Agency does not do any priority screening (BA). This implies that there is no way to confirm whether or not a prospective employee is a citizen of Germany or the European Union. In any case, the Federal Employment Agency will check in to ensure everything is legit.
Possibilities in the labour market: A licenced professional can work in their field if they meet the requirements. This opens up opportunities for work in closely linked fields. Professionals with advanced degrees are not limited to positions that call for postsecondary education. They are also qualified for similar jobs that often require a vocational or non-academic background. All jobs must need some certification or degree. Therefore service and low-skilled jobs are out. An EU Blue Card will only be granted for employment equivalent to a professional qualification, which is often a college degree.
Certified experts in their field: Vocational, i.e. non-academically trained professionals from outside the EU, are now welcome to apply for jobs in any industry, not only those with a current scarcity of workers. If a foreign national obtains a residence permit in Germany valid for a certain profession, that individual may also work in any other occupations for which their qualification is valid.
Employment visas to Germany are available to professionals who have completed a recognised vocational training programme. They'll be able to stay in the country for up to six months. The relevant decision-making authority in Germany must acknowledge the foreign qualification, the individual must be able to support themselves for their stay financially, and they must possess the requisite German language skills for the selected vocation. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B1 proficiency in German is often necessary. Work trials of up to 10 hours per week are feasible throughout the period spent in Germany searching for work. This allows potential employers and employees to see whether they are a good match before committing to working together. Those with valid academic credentials who want to work in Germany for a trial period of six months can also do so.
Time spent in the home to acquire knowledge and expertise: Greater training opportunities in Germany are being made available. The most fundamental criterion is that the applicant's foreign qualification be subjected to a recognition process and have it determined (in a recognition certificate or "Anerkennungsbescheid") that it does not completely fulfil the standards of a German qualification while the applicant is abroad. One further need for getting a training visa is being able to communicate well in German. According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, they are often found at the A2 level (CEFR). For this reason, a minimum of six months and a maximum of two years may be added to the initial 18-month residence visa. A residence permit for training, study, or a job may be granted after the maximum length of the residence permit has elapsed.
Professionals from all over the globe who meet certain requirements may apply for a green card and live permanently in the United States. Professionals from other countries who have worked there for four years may apply for a permanent residency visa (previously: five years).
Germany Pursuing Higher Learning Abroad
Although it's not well known, residents in Germany have access to free higher education. University education in Germany is either free of charge or quite inexpensive compared to nations like the United States, which has extremely high tuition rates. This makes Germany an attractive destination for international students.
It would help if you had a study visa to enter Germany to attend college there. The article details the necessary qualifications and the application procedure for obtaining such a visa.
After receiving your degree from a German institution and using your education visa to stay in the country, you will be allowed to stay and look for work for a certain period. It is possible to extend your stay in Germany for up to two years if you find work during that period. There are estimates that as many as 54% of German university graduates remain in the country to start or advance their careers.
Germany Those Who Want To Start A Business In The United States May Apply For Immigration
You're lucky if you're a businessperson considering investing in Germany. Germany welcomes immigrants who can contribute to the country's economy via business ventures or investments. However, you need to invest more than a specified minimum amount. As of the time this story was published, that sum was 250,000 Euros. In addition, you'll need a Working Visa for Germany, specifically a Self-Employment Visa. You must show that you can invest at least the minimum amount before issuing the visa.
That Your Investment Is Needed In Germany And Will Help The Economy Grow
After three years, you'll be eligible for an indefinite number of renewals of your residence visa if you continue to work as a German business owner. Because your visa may be renewed indefinitely, you are free to travel to and from the nation at any time.
Businesspeople from all over the globe go to Germany to try out their innovations there. Entrepreneurs should use business immigration attorneys to review their applications and company ideas.
In addition to preparing your application, the German business immigration specialists at Schlun & Eleven Rechtsanwälte will advise you on the business prospects in Germany, create your business plan and verify it fulfils the stipulated standards, and assist you in establishing your German firm.
Willkommenkultur?
Concurrently, numerous Germans gave their services to aid the recently arrived immigrants, exemplifying the country's welcoming ethos. Many young Germans have migrated themselves. Thus they tend to see migrants favourably.
German society has taken in a large influx of migrants. By May 2020, over a third (30%) of all refugees hailing from the eight most populous countries of origin were gainfully employed and contributing to social insurance systems. This number was just 18% in 2015. Many young Germans have migrated themselves. Thus they tend to see migrants favourably.
After 2017, the number of asylum requests in Germany fell dramatically. While the European Union worked to decrease the number of migrants entering the EU via Greece, Merkel was a crucial player. A contentious agreement was reached between her and Turkish President Erdogan in 2016.
The agreement called for the constant surveillance of Turkey's coastline. Germany would accept the refugees that Greece had rejected for asylum in exchange for six billion euros and a possible visa-free passage to the EU for Turks. For every refugee Turkey takes from Greece, the EU will accept another refugee currently living in Turkey.
Because of this agreement, European countries could avoid fulfilling their legal obligations to provide safety for refugees. Numerous people panned it severely.
Integration
The CDU still refuses to accept that Germany is a nation of immigrants, preferring the term "country of integration instead." To the letter, this complies with regulations enacted during Merkel's tenure as chancellor.
Asylum seekers having a strong chance of being allowed to remain in Germany were given priority access to state integration efforts in 2016. In contrast, asylum seekers risked losing their financial support if they declined government-offered integration programmes and job possibilities.
In addition, the legislation made it possible for 100,000 people living in communal housing for asylum seekers to work for government assistance programmes. For the CDU, integration meant ensuring asylum seekers had access to paid labour, language lessons, and integration programmes.
The CDU has recently emphasised in its manifestos the need for migrants to respect German values to assimilate.
Recent German refugee policy has focused on encouraging individuals who are allowed to stay to enter the labour field. Its secondary goal is to limit the number of refugees admitted to and permitted to stay in Germany.
Since 2005, the CDU's electoral literature has focused more and more on the cultural aspects of immigration. The manifestos call on migrants to follow German values and laws, become German citizens, study German, and join (sports) clubs to integrate into German culture fully.
This focus contributes to bias towards Muslims. In contrast to the negative reception accorded to Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union, the artistic contributions of German exiles and re-settlers are celebrated in Germany.
Germany Reuniting Families Through Immigration
Some individuals who relocate to Germany from abroad have to abandon loved ones back home. To join their spouses or parents in Germany, any dependents under 16 may petition for immigration.
Spouses must provide marriage certificates, and children must present birth certificates to apply for family reunion immigration. Children under the age of 16 are not required to speak German since it is thought that they can pick up the language proficiently. However, older students (16+) will be required to confirm German language fluency and integration skills.
Spouses require at least an A1 level of German proficiency to be considered. If the spouse already in Germany is eligible to work, the other spouse is also eligible. Spouse visas are subject to the same regulations as regular visas.
Experts in the area, like those at Schlun & Eleven, who provide comprehensive family reunification counsel, are worth consulting if you run into any problems or want to lower the likelihood that your application will be denied due to practical considerations.
Conclusion
In Germany, permanent residents must apply for and get a Settlement Permit. Those who have had a basic residence permit or an EU Blue Card for at least five years and who also fulfil specific language criteria are eligible to apply for the Settlement Permit.
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