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The Bundestag passed groundbreaking legislation on Friday (23 June) that will revamp Germany’s migration law to tackle an acute shortage of skilled workers.
The new law will try to make good on the promise of the coalition agreement to transform Germany into a more immigration-friendly country by lowering restrictions and creating new opportunities, following the example of the points-based Canadian system.
“The lack of skilled labour is deemed to be one of the worst drags on growth for the German economy … [Therefore], we also need immigration. We need almost 400,000 people to come to our country,” Nancy Faeser, the interior minister, told MPs ahead of the vote.
The legislation will allow qualified foreign nationals to look for work in Germany if they score at least 6 points from a list of eligibility criteria, such as language skills and qualifications. Eligible applicants will receive a so-called Opportunity Card allowing them to search for a job in the country for at least 12 months.
New Criteria
The law will also lower eligibility criteria for Blue Card work visas and increase entitlements, such as leave to remain and family reunification. Moreover, the government will raise the number of work visas available for companies to hire workers specifically from the Western Balkans.
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