German parliament enacts first phase of Skilled Worker immigration act on 18th Nov, 2023

Highlights: German parliament enacts first phase of Skilled Worker immigration act

• German companies seek foreign skilled IT, technology, healthcare, contracting, and logistics professionals.
• The German government passed a Skilled Immigration Act during the summer. 
• On November 18, 2023, Germany secured first place in its new skilled worker law. 
• The EU blue card had been adjusted to enhance the opportunity for skilled workers to enter Germany. 

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Details of EU Blue Card Adjustment: 

In November 2023, Germany secured first place in the new skilled worker law. They decided to adjust the EU blue card to enhance the opportunity for skilled workers to enter Germany. The rules are: 

• The EU Blue Card includes a lower salary threshold for regular occupation and other professions. 
• The minimum salary is now 45.3% of the total contribution of the assessment ceiling of pension insurance with different occupations. 
• University graduates within the last three years and new entrants to the labor market have access to expanded opportunities to opt for an EU Blue Card with the eligibility of minimum salary requirement. 
• An IT specialist without any university degree can qualify if they have three years of relevant professional experience.  
• Bottleneck professionals are eligible for the EU Blue Card as it has been expanded to include other roles such as manufacturing, mining, construction, distribution managers, and professionals in education, healthcare, and more.
• Skilled professionals with professional or academic qualifications that fulfill all the other criteria can apply for a residency permit. Experienced Skilled workers with two years of professional experience are no longer required to go through any recognition process in Germany once the country acknowledges them. 
• The updated law also states that EU Blue card holders that EU Blue cardholders from other member states are allowed to travel to Germany for short-term and long-term business-related activities without additional permits. 

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New Changes that would be initiated by 2024

• From March 1, 2024, professionals undergoing three years of training obtain German-equivalent qualifications and are permitted to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
• Skilled workers who aim for foreign qualifications and begin working directly. This measure will allow the skilled workers to stay up to three years, obtaining a professional qualification of at least two years with a minimum 2-level proficiency in Germany. 
• Skilled professionals can bring their parents or in-laws to Germany if their residency is valid from March 2024 onwards. 
• From June 1, 2023, an "opportunity card" based on a points system will be introduced for individuals holding foreign qualifications. This card allows them to seek employment in Germany for one year. Holders of opportunity cards will also be permitted to work up to 20 hours weekly during a probationary period.
• Furthermore, there would be an option to extend the validity of the opportunity card for two years. 

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Web Story: German parliament enacts first phase of Skilled Worker immigration act on 18th Nov, 2023