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The Skilled Immigration Act 2020, is a brand-new law that opens the doors for qualified professionals of non-EU countries for the German labor market. This law makes it simpler for skilled professionals to relocate to Germany in order to work.

Germany has a deficiency of workers in specific domains and wanted thousands of experienced and skilled workers every year. Currently, approximately 1200,000 job posts are vacant in the German labor market. This law will help to fulfill these vacant positions at a fast pace.

When does the Skilled Immigration law 2020 will enter into force?

The German lawmakers passed this Act of Skilled Immigration on June 7, 2019. This act will enter into force on March 1, 2020. Till then, all job-seeking visa requests will be treated according to existing laws.

Who will be considered a skilled worker or a qualified professional according to this law?

According to the definition, qualified professionals or skilled workers are those individuals that own a university degree or vocational training qualification of at least two years. This university degree and vocational training qualification can be from a German institute or from a foreign institute.

But interested candidates that own foreign degrees or qualifications need to get official recognition of their professional qualifications from German authorities before visa application. Candidates can obtain their degree recognition from ANABIN.

Who can get benefit from this new Skilled Immigration Law?

New work visa applicants and students who already studying or graduated in Germany can get benefits from this new Skilled Immigration Law.

New Work Visa Applicants

Candidates who want to work in Germany according to this new law can come to Germany in two ways: with a job-seeking visa or a work visa. Candidates who are looking for a job can get a 6-month job-seeking visa. Those who already have an employment contract or a specific job offer can get a four-year work visa. In both cases, official recognition of professional qualifications from German authorities is required.

Students Already Studying or Graduated in Germany

Those students who are already studying in Germany or graduated from a German university can directly get benefit from this law. Students who graduated from a German university can now receive a permanent settlement after two years of working. It means a job contract is required to apply for PR (permanent settlement). The job contract can be related to any occupations covered by their qualifications.

Now students who are already studying in Germany can also change their residence status (from student to the worker) during their studies. This law gives them a chance to change their residence status in a shorter duration. These students can now find a full-time professional job during their studies and change their student visas into work visas. One thing that is a must in this process is the minimum salary requirement set by the Federal Ministry for Labour. Once a student will apply for a work visa then Federal Ministry for Labour will tell minimum salary requirement is fulfilled or not. If a student’s job contract will fulfill the minimum salary requirement then he will get a visa from Immigration Office.

Requirements:

For job-seeking visa

• Official recognition of professional qualifications from German authorities
• Enough money in a blocked account for living expenses
• German language proficiency up to B2 level

For work visa

• Official recognition of professional qualifications from German authorities
• Job offer or job contract

Skilled workers over 45 years of age can apply for a work visa with a job contract that confirms a salary of at least €3,685 per month.

How to apply for Job-seeking and work visa for Germany?

Job-seeking visa

• Learn the German language up to B2 level
• Attest your degrees and certificates
• Get degrees equivalence recognition from ANABIN Germany (ANABIN only recognize higher education degrees like the bachelor, master, and PhD)
• Open blocked account and deposit required amount (exact amount check on the German Embassy’s website)
• The required document list also check on the German Embassy website
• Arrange all the documents according to checklist
• Book appointment in the German Embassy
• Appear in Embassy on appointment day and get the visa

Work visa

• Attest your degrees and certificates
• Get degrees equivalence recognition from ANABIN Germany (ANABIN only recognize higher education degrees like the bachelor, master, and PhD)
• Find a job in a German company and get the contract (you can find job on online portals like stepstone Germany)
• The required document list check on the German Embassy website
• Arrange all the documents according to checklist
• Book appointment in the German Embassy
• Appear in Embassy on appointment day and get the visa

What changes will the new immigration law introduce?

One of the most prominent changes that this law will bring is the abolishment of citizenship priority. Previously, the Federal Employment Agency was giving priority to German and EU citizens on non-EU candidates during the issuance of work permits. But now this priority-based selection system is abolished.

FAQs about new Skilled Immigration Law: