What has changed as a result of the Skilled Immigration Act?

There are currently approx. 1.2 million job openings in Germany waiting to be filled by skilled professionals. With the Skilled Immigration Act, the federal government aims to make it easier for skilled workers from abroad to participate in the German labor market and thereby offer them a new outlook on life and work. A fast-track procedure also leads to a quicker, more efficient qualification certification process.

Residency permit for job seekers

You have not yet received a concrete job offer in Germany but have a qualified academic education or vocational training?
Then you have the opportunity to obtain a residency permit for up to six months for your job search. During your stay, you can work up to ten hours a week in a trial job.

In this way, both you and your potential employer can test whether you are a good fit..
Please note that you must meet the following requirements in order to obtain a residency permit for job seekers:

• certification of your foreign qualifications by the responsible authority in Germany
• financial statement/evidence showing that your livelihood is secured for your stay in Germany
• proof of your German language skills, which must correspond to the position you are applying for (minimum CEF level B1 required)
• proof of health insurance coverage for visitors upon entry into Germany

Extended career choice, also for non-academics

Whereas before the implementation of the Skilled Immigration Act one was only allowed to apply for jobs affected by the shortage of skilled workers, individuals now have a wider range of employment opportunities.
You have a free choice of professions from your field and only have to make sure that your credentials qualify you for the job you would like. This also applies to skilled workers with no academic training/education.

Residency permit for the certification of foreign qualifications

With the new regulations, you now have the opportunity to have your qualifications obtained abroad certified directly from your home country by the responsible authority in Germany and, thus, to have discrepancies pertaining to a German education or vocational training identified.
If you possess adequate German language skills (CEF level A2), you can obtain an 18-month residency permit for the certification of foreign qualifications in order to make your credentials equivalent to those existing in Germany. If necessary, you can extend the permit for another six months and then apply for a residency permit for the purposes of studying or working.

Simplified employment start

If you have received a concrete job offer in Germany and have a qualified education or training, you can enter the German job market after your qualifications have been certified. Due to the German Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), the priority check by the Federal Employment Agency is no longer necessary. It is therefore no longer assessed if a skilled professional living in Germany or Europe is available for the job you were offered.
Please note that the priority check for the chance to participate in vocational training continues to apply.

Extended career choice, also for non-academics

Whereas before the implementation of the Skilled Immigration Act one was only allowed to apply for jobs affected by the shortage of skilled workers, individuals now have a wider range of employment opportunities.

You have a free choice of professions from your field and only have to make sure that your credentials qualify you for the job you would like. This also applies to skilled workers with no academic training/education.

Permanent residency permit

If you have come to Germany as a skilled worker, you can now apply for a permanent residency permit after only four years.

Fast-track procedures

Has a company made you a job offer which you would like to accept at a certain point in time? For a current fee of € 411, the company can apply for a fast-track skilled professional procedure at the central immigration authority.

To enable you to accept the offer in a timely manner, the certification and visa procedure is carried out here in a shorter period of time and the work and residency permit is also issued more quickly.

Responsibilities

In order to simplify the procedural processes both for you as a skilled professional and your employer in Germany, the responsibilities at central immigration offices have been bundled.

What is the first step in coming to Germany as a skilled worker?

If you would like to come to Germany as a skilled worker from abroad, you must first have your qualifications certified before applying for a visa. This can be done at any time via the responsible authority.

You can find more information here on the certification process in Germany.

What are the requirements for obtaining a visa for job seekers?

Among other things, you must prove that you are able to finance your cost of living in Germany yourself. You should also be able to prove you master a minimum level of German language skills. You can find the exact requirements on the website of the German foreign representative offices abroad in your home country

Absolutely necessary:
In any case, health insurance that meets the requirements for the Schengen visa must be taken out for entry into Germany, e.g. Care Economy coverage from Care Concept AG.

If a residency permit is issued after the visa expires, and employment subject to social security contributions is taken up, public health insurance can also be taken out with DAK Gesundheit via Care Concept AG.

Topic: Skilled Immigration Act

• Skilled Immigration Act
• What has changed as a result of the Skilled Immigration Act?

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