Topics in the spotlight

The Skilled Immigration Act paved the way for a new mechanism to help speed up the entry of qualified professionals from abroad: the fast-track procedure for skilled workers. Experience has been gained with the procedure since it was introduced two years ago, and it is worth reflecting on how the instrument works and how it is applied in administrative practice.

The skills gap in nursing has been widening for years. The sector is increasingly reliant on nursing professionals from abroad, especially from non-EU countries. In our latest newsletter, we highlight the opportunities employers have and what they need to consider in the process.

Employers considering recruiting staff from abroad often face new challenges and unanswered questions: How to reach skilled workers abroad? Is a visa required? How can integration be ensured? This article will provide an overview of the most important steps in recruiting skilled workers from abroad. 

International students at German universities represent an important potential pool of skilled workers. Their advantage: Next to their professional qualifications, they are familiar with the cultural facets of Germany and the German language. It is also easy for them to enter working life, as international graduates have good prospects for employment and staying in Germany.

The recognition of professional qualifications acquired abroad is of great importance for successful integration into the German labour market. On the path to professional recognition, those seeking recognition have access to various options and a wide range of information and counselling centres to support them in the process.

Nearly every sector of the economy is nowadays ruled by digital applications and intelligent technologies. At the same time, there is a desperate need for specialists in the IT industry. Any companies unable to fill their job vacancies will therefore find that it is worth their while to look abroad: Conditions for attracting skilled IT workers from abroad are particularly good. 

The German Skilled Immigration Act gives all international qualified professionals the opportunity to carry on a profession or trade in Germany – provided that they offer particular qualifications. For employers, the new law brings greater options for recruiting urgently required international skilled workers.

To advise and accompany international qualified professionals on their way to Germany, there are numerous institutions and structures in Germany and abroad that offer support. The following list provides an overview of central and local points of contact in Germany and abroad responsible for the immigration of skilled professionals. 

The current corona crisis is affecting people all over the world and is also imposing a number of restrictions on us. It is changing our everyday life, the way we deal with our fellow human beings, as well as our work environment. For many visitors and users of "Make it in Germany", however, the current situation also leads to the fact that career goals in Germany and very specific future plans cannot be realized for the time being. Despite these uncertain times, we remain optimistic about future plans not falling apart but only needing to be put "on hold". In the meantime, we continue to work and develop new offers for you.

Large numbers of people from other regions of the world would like to live in Germany for many different reasons. The latest data from the central register of foreign nationals (AZR) shows that the migration flows to Germany are closely linked to the principle of free movement which applies within the European Union (EU). It has been shown that Germany is the most popular immigration country in the EU.

On 1 August 2012, the Federal Government introduced the EU Blue Card as the residence permit for highly qualified professionals from third countries wishing to live and work in Germany. Since the EU Blue Card came into force in Germany, the number of Cards issued has risen year-on-year. In 2017 alone, 21,727 Blue Cards were issued – up 25% on the previous year (2016: 17,362).

The website provides qualified professionals with all the information they need and offers personally tailored advice about working, studying and living in Germany – all in one place. At the same time, employers can obtain support with looking for and recruiting the right specialists from abroad. There are also applicant listings showing qualified professionals who are available to be placed immediately.

When it comes to international students, universities in Germany are in demand. According to official figures, the number of international students in Germany from abroad rose in 2017 to just over 359,000. Some 265,484 of these students are among what are known in Germany as Bildungsausländer/Bildungsausländerinnen[1]. This means that overall, the joint federal and Länder goal of attracting 350,000 foreign students to be trained at German universities by 2020 has already been met.

There are some sectors in regions in Germany where a lack of qualified professionals is already making itself felt. This skills gap is expected to widen as the population of Germany continues to age. We are now at a stage where a lack of qualified labour is the biggest commercial risk faced by our companies. Four in five are already finding it difficult to recruit the qualified professionals they need.

Germany is currently home to more than 12.7 million immigrants. A large proportion of these have come to the country with a professional qualification that was acquired in their country of origin. Assessing foreign qualifications to see whether they can be recognised as equivalent to German ones is key for successfully integrating professionals from abroad into the German labour market.

People come to Germany for various reasons. The large number of refugees in recent years has led to people wondering whether it still makes sense to recruit more skilled workers from abroad.