Germany is poised to pass a legislation this week that will simplify the immigration process for skilled workers, particularly those from outside the European Union. Lawmakers from the ruling coalition parties have reached an agreement on Monday, paving the way for the enactment of this long-awaited reform.
Katja Mast, a member of the Social Democratic Party, which governs in partnership with the Free Democrats and Greens, stated that these much-needed changes will bring Germany’s immigration policies up to date. The labor ministry has reported a record high of nearly 2 million job vacancies in 2022.
The draft legislation, unveiled by the government in late March, outlines that the reform could potentially result in an annual increase of 60,000 workers from non-EU countries. The upcoming immigration law in Germany will provide foreign workers with three options to enter the country, one of which is a novel “opportunity card” designed for individuals without a job offer but with the potential to secure employment.
This card operates on a points-based system, considering factors such as qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, ties to Germany, and age. In March of this year, the German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, introduced draft reforms encompassing immigration, skills training, and the promotion of immigration from non-European Union nations. These reforms aim to address labor shortages in Germany, the largest economy in Europe.