Germany gave final approval to the updated “Skilled Immigration Act” in July this year.  It will now be easier for professionals from third countries to come to this country and work there. 

The fact is that Germany is severely short of workers—according to the country's Interior Ministry, there were about 1.98 million open jobs in Germany in 2022, the highest number on record.

“We will make sure we bring in the skilled workers that our economy has desperately needed for years.” “Anyone who works with small and medium-sized businesses and commerce knows that this is the only way we can ensure that our country thrives,” German Interior Minister Nancy Fizer said.

The new law will emphasize the so-called “opportunity card”, a points-based system. This card will be equal in strength to the residence permit.

What criteria will be used to evaluate applicants for such a card:

  • Foreigners with a university or vocational degree and at least three years' experience in a professional qualification recognized in their home country will be able to come to work in Germany.
  • It will be necessary to have a good level of German or to prove previous experience living in Germany.
  • The applicant must be at least 35 years old.

What the “Opportunity Card” will provide, according to the information available at the time:

  • Professional qualifications no longer have to be recognized in Germany. And those who want their professional qualifications to be recognized in Germany can do so upon arrival—it is no longer necessary to do so in advance.
  • The Opportunity Card will also allow people to enter Germany and look for a job while in the country, instead of having to apply from abroad. While foreigners are looking for a permanent job, they will be allowed to work up to 20 hours a week.
  • It will also be easier for workers to move their families to Germany and obtain a residence permit.

After approval, the authorities said the law will come into force in three stages: part in November 2023, part in March 2024, and the remaining amendments in June 2024. An opportunity card could appear as early as March.