The "Skilled Worker Immigration Act", introduced earlier this year by the German Federal Government, will be coming into effect as from March 1, 2020. The aim would be to cut down labour immigration to Germany regarding third-country nationals. In short, not everyone will be able to move to Germany for work or vocational training. Profiles will be screen individually to meet the country's needs.
With an open labour market offering a wide range of career prospects in virtually all fields, Germany is one of the leading destinations in Europe when it comes to professional mobility. However, this does not mean that everyone can work in Germany. This newly introduced law mainly applies to foreign professionals coming from third countries.
Under the provisions of this law, profiles of skilled professionals who are looking to live and work or undertake vocational training in Germany will be assessed to truly address the needs of local businesses, given the current focus on the potential of the local and European workforce. Hence, you are most likely to be able to work in Germany if you have a degree which is either recognised in the country or that you have obtained from a German university, or if you have a training or a professional qualification obtained locally.
Also, candidates will no longer be subject to priority examinations which required them to be in possession of a recognised degree and an employment contract. Moreover, these provisions will not be limited to the list of shortage occupations in the case of qualified vocational training. As for skilled professionals with adequate vocational training, they will be able to live in Germany for a specific period to look for a job, provided they have knowledge of the German language and that they have the means to support themselves.
Formalities relating to professional migration to Germany will be simplified in order to speed up the recruitment of skilled candidates by local companies. Accompanying measures include an advertising campaign focusing on different industries, acceleration of the recognition process for certified degrees, language support, as well as simplification of visa procedures.
Meanwhile, foreign professionals wishing to boost their career in Germany can get inspired by the pilot model set up by the Federal Employment Agency. It's also worth noting that the "Skilled Worker Immigration Act" makes a clear distinction between professional immigration and asylum applications in Germany.
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