Berlin (dpa/d.de) – The second stage of the Skilled Immigration Act came into force in Germany on 1 March. Among other things, it provides a residence option for foreigners based on practical work experience. In future, people from so-called third countries outside the European Union will be able to work in Germany if they have at least two years of work experience and hold a vocational or higher education qualification that is recognised by the state in their country of origin.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Labour Minister Hubertus Heil said they saw the new regulations as an important building block in countering the skills gap in Germany. “We’re reducing bureaucratic hurdles and making Germany more attractive for foreign skilled workers,” explained Faeser. Heil emphasised that the new regulations would make it easier for trainees and skilled workers with professional experience to come to Germany. The first stage of the new regulations aimed at facilitating the immigration of skilled workers came into force in November 2023. The third stage from June 2024 includes the introduction of a job search opportunity card.
