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Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Opportunity Card Germany 2025: बिना Job Offer के Germany में Work करें
वर्षा दुबे Authored by: • वर्षा दुबे Contributed by: | Navbharat Times• 16 Jul 2025, 2:45 pm Opportunity Card Germany 2025: बिना Job Offer के Germany में Work करें | EU Blue Card Requirements
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Ageing population, labour crunch prompt Germany to open doors for skilled migration
Faced with an ageing population and growing labour shortage, Germany, Europe's largest economy, is turning towards other countries, including India which German officials call 'the world's largest labour pool', for skilled workers. Germany needs around 400,000 new workers every year to meet future demand for skilled labour, according to the Labour Ministry. The level of demand is particularly high in the nursing, education, IT, gastronomy and hospitality segments, and it will remain high, according to official estimates, at least until mid-1960s. Last year, Germany passed a new Skilled Immigration Act, laying 'the foundation for making Germany a more attractive destination for professionals from abroad'. Germany has also launched an Opportunity Card which allows foreign applicants to stay in the country for up to a year while they search for a job. 'Indians are welcome' 'India for us is the most important country of origin. You are priority number 1. India is the only country for whom we have a skilled labour strategy from the federal government because we know of the great opportunities the Indian labour market offers for German employers,' Clemens Kohnen, special envoy for skilled labour migration, told The Hindu at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Speaking at the Brandt Hall (named after the former Foreign Minister and Chancellor Willy Brandt) at the Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) here, Mr. Kohnen said Germany was looking at different labour fields in India. 'A lot of people come from the health sector, nurses, caretakers and doctors, of course. Science, mathematics and IT are other fields. Down the road, we would take skilled labour from India from more or less every single different field. We also welcome Indian students who are the biggest pool of foreign students in Germany from outside the EU.' There are more than 40,000 Indian students in Germany today, and the numbers are going up every year. According to Mr. Kohnen, the retention rate of Indian students is one of the highest among foreign students coming to Germany. 'This means, a lot of Indian Indian students who come to Germany stay on for a job. We greatly welcome that. The benefit with Indian students is that they are very good at learning our language. Experience shows us that apparently if you are coming from India you find it easier to take along the difficult German language. This makes it easier to integrate into the job market.' According to the Federal Labour Ministry, some 137,000 Indians were employed in skilled labour positions in February 2024, that is roughly 23,000 more than the year before. In 2015, the number of Indians in such jobs was just 23,000 in total. Current numbers also show that joblessness among Indians living in Germany is only 3.7%, while the overall unemployment rate of the country is 6.3%. War, recession and the far-right But Germany's immigration story is not one without challenges. Despite the government's efforts to make skilled migration attractive, the German bureaucracy could delay the whole process, say officials and industry representatives. Besides, Germany is currently in an economic recession, and Russia's war in Ukraine and the subsequent economic decoupling between Europe and Russia have worsened Berlin's economic pain. In recent years, Germany has also witnessed the rise of far-right anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). In the February 2025 election, the AfD emerged as the second largest party with 20.8% votes, up from 10.4% in the previous election. What do all these mean for skilled migration? 'German immigration is complex. We need to change it. There is till Red Tape,' said Lorenz Lauer of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). 'But Germany is witnessing demographic shifts. Too many people are getting old. We need young people in the economy. We need skilled labour to fill the vacancies,' he added. Asked about the impact of the Ukraine and recession on the job markets, Mr. Lauer said, 'Energy prices in Germany were high even before the war. After the war, it skyrocketed. But it has stabilised now. But energy-dependent industries have taken a hit. Many jobs have been lost in the industrial sector. But other industries have expanded.' Added another DIHK official: 'Despite the economic recession, if one looks at the situation from a demographic point of view, we still need workers, especially in the healthcare sector.' Consensus on skilled migration Foreign Office officials agree that the rise of the AfD is a cause of concern. But, they argue that even the AfD recognise the necessity for skilled labour as the economic and demographic reality of Germany demands more skilled workers. 'We are very concerned about the rise of the far-right AfD in Germany. They have a very clear anti-immigrant narrative. At the same time they are not in government — they are not in government at the federal level, they are not in government at any of the 16 states, and I find it hard to imagine that we are going towards a country where they are suddenly in a position to make decisions,' said Mr. Kohnen, of the Foreign Office. 'One of the big concerns of the far-right is illegal migration, which we have to address. We feel that the past government (of Olaf Scholz) and also the new government (of Frederik Merz) have put a very strong emphasis in fighting illegal migration, fighting in particular trafficking, and returning people who are here without legal status — meaning, we want to control the migration, but also want to welcome with open arms skilled labour migration,' he added. According to Jens Michael Bopp, head of skilled labour migration at he Foreign Office, the political debate on migration in Germany is about illegal migration , not on skilled migration. 'Skilled migration is not considered as migration in German political debate. When politicians oppose migration, they refer to irregular migration. We differentiate between skilled migration and irregular migration,' he said. 'In the election programme, all parties, including the AfD, acknowledge that Germany needs skilled workers. We do not expect this situation to change any time in the future,' added Mr. Bopp. The writer was in Berlin at an invitation from the German Federal Office.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why Germany struggles to attract African skilled workers
AI- Generated Image Grace Ochieng (not her real name) began the visa application process a year ago to come study in Germany. "And then the insanity with the visa started," she tells DW. She already spoke German but that did not help the 26-year-old Kenyan navigate the maze of German bureaucracy. Despite holding a scholarship for her studies in International Relations, a student job confirmed and a thick folder full of documents, it took two months for her to get the necessary visa. "It should not be this way. It took an enormous toll on me and the start of my studies. Because of the visa process, some people don't make it here," she said. Grace's friend meanwhile ran into even bigger hurdles: her visa for a semester abroad got stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire until half of that semester was already gone — and with it the chance to study in Germany. "It's not so much the visa process that is so exhausting," Grace tells DW. "It's mostly the communication. When you call the German embassy, they don't answer. When you write emails, they don't reply. You're constantly holding your breath because you never know if they are going to say 'yes' or 'no.'" Opportunities for foreign skilled workers behind red tape Grace is not alone in her uphill battle against Germany's red-tape for foreigners: Teresia Träutlein came to Germany in 2007 as an au-pair. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia acima de 100? Insira essa fruta na sua dieta Saúde Nacional Undo Back then, she didn't only have to put up with fighting with bureaucratic issues but also the language itself. In the end, these experiences would however end up helping the trained nurse in the future: Träutlein now runs a care service agency near Heidelberg along with her husband. They employ over 20 African care workers and trainees. "We are currently helping a group from Kenya come to Germany. We're stuck because of the bureaucracy involved for getting the visa," she told DW. In her experience, the notarization process takes unduly long. Cultural integration and a lack of housing once people get to Germany are also major challenges along the way. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants needed each year N evertheless, Germany still needs between 288,000 and 400,000 foreign skilled workers to move there yearly, according to a 2024 study by the Bertelsmann Institute based on estimates from Germany's Institute for Employment Research (IAB). Without this rate of immigration, Germany faces a significant worker shortage by 2040, which would have considerable negative impacts on economic growth and international competitiveness. In April 2025, the Federal Employment Agency reported around 646,000 job vacancies, primarily in Information Technology, healthcare and education. But most of those positions are yet to be filled. Germany wants foreign workers – or does it? Since June 2024, Germany has been issuing the so-called Opportunity Card. This is a visa designed to allow skilled workers from non-European Union states to come in Germany without an existing work contract, and seek employment from scratch. The prerequisites include at least two years of vocational training or a university degree as well as basic German or English language skills. It builds on a points-based system that also evaluates professional experience, age and skills needed in Germany. Since 2025, the German Foreign Office's reveamped Consular Services Portal allows skilled foreign workers to apply online for a visa. The portal is supposed make the process faster and more efficient by simplifying the application process for different visa categories, including the Opportunity Card. Former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "We are using language skills, qualifications and experience, to attract motivated and talented people to Germany." However, most applicants find that the portal is still too slow. Migration deals with Africa amid high rejection rates Germany also signed a migration deal with Kenya in 2024 to attract skilled workers, especially in nursing and hospitality. Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at the time of the signing that Kenya had an "unbelievable number of IT experts" who would benefit from training in Germany. Kenya is so far the only African country with which Germany has managed to reach such a migration deal – but as of late 2024, only 90 Kenyan nursing workers had come to Germany using this route. Once again, the bureaucracy involved has been the chief deterrent for many qualified applicants. At the same time, a sizable portion of visa applications under the deal have been rejected amid an overall high rejection rate of sub-Saharan visa applicants to Germany. Clara Bünger of the The Left Party raised this issue in the Bundestag, in April 2025, highlighting that in 2022, over 3,400 of 7,914 student visa applications from Nigeria, and 1,972 from 8,150 from Ghana, were denied. 'Opportunity Card for some' In 2022, Germany granted a total 50,815 visas to all Africans, of which 20,545 (40%) were for intended for employment purposes, including academics, highly skilled workers, interns, au pairs and volunteers. But from Sub-Saharan Africa along, only 22,668 visas were issued, of which 7,966 (35%) were for employment. "The visa is the biggest problem," Khadi Camara from the German-African Business Association told DW. "The Opportunity Card is only an Opportunity Card for some people. One first has to fulfill the prerequisites. These are criteria that do not necessarily matter to employers, but do matter to the federal government." Just getting the necessary documents required for a visa can also be problematic. "German officials want original documents, which sometimes is just not possible. Then applicants need to prove how self-sufficient they are. And even if the would-be employers cover the applicant's costs, sometimes even that is not considered enough." A new home in the heart of Europe? Some meanwhile have repeatedly questioned whether Germany has what it takes to become and attractive destination for skilled workers. "It's very relevant to consider the political climate in Germany, not only taking into account how eager the government is to bring people here but also whether Germany can indeeed become a new home for Kenyans, Ghanaians, Sierra Leonians or South Africans," Camara said, adding that "we cannot ignore racism. The German government needs to take a clear position that people are welcome here." For Camara, that also includes removing language barriers: "In other countries, one does not have to fulfil certain language requirements and that's probably why those countries are more attractive. Last year, Christian Lindner [Germany's then-Finance Minister] was in Ghana at a university there, and asked who would want to come work in Germany. No one raised their hand." Teresia Träutlein and Grace Ochieng however say that in their experience, speaking German has proven to be quite necessary to lead a fully integrated life in Germany. Träutlein adds: "If the government wants to attract skilled workers to Germany, then it needs to support German language training abroad. Without the language, one does not get very far here." German economy calls for solutions Camara says Germany has to realize that it is, in fact, competing for skilled workers against other players: "Global alliances are breaking down as we speak, and so we have to look for new partners. Many of them are on the African continent." For German companies like Teresia Träutlein's agency, the most important thing is that bureaucratic hurdles be removed. She and her husband are trying to simplify the process to bring over new employees from Kenya and have decided to start building a private language and nursing school there. "We are a small company but we have one goal: to combat unemployment in Kenya and bring these workers we need to Germany," she said. According to Träutlein, the immigration of skilled workers to Germany is ultimately a "win-win situation for everyone involved" — as long as the processes involved in making the cut improve significantly.
News18
08-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Will Germany's Strict Immigration Rules Impact Indians? Citizenship Criteria To Curbs Explained
Last Updated: The government has abolished the fast-track route to citizenship that previously allowed well-integrated migrants to apply for citizenship after three years of residency German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's cabinet on May 28 approved sweeping changes to the country's immigration rules. Among the major changes is a temporary two-year suspension of family reunification rights for those with subsidiary protection — refugees not granted full refugee status, such as many Syrians. During this period, these migrants are not allowed to bring their spouses or children to Germany. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that Germany's urban systems have reached their 'breaking point" and cannot handle the inflow without causing challenges for public services. Migration is among German voters' biggest concerns and Merz won the election in February pledging a crackdown on migration. NO FAST TRACK The government also abolished the fast-track route to citizenship that previously allowed well-integrated migrants to apply for citizenship after three years of residency. The new rules now require a minimum of five years of residency for German citizenship. However, foreigners married to German citizens can still apply after three years, provided they have been married for at least two years. WHAT IT MEANS FOR INDIANS Most of the Indian professionals and students in Germany are not under subsidiary protection. The changes, however, may impact vulnerable migrants and delay long-term settlement plans. India remains a key contributor to Germany's skilled labor pool, with initiatives such as the ' Opportunity Card ' being expanded to address labour shortages. Merz recently said that a court ruling against the expulsion by border police of three Somali asylum seekers could restrict his government's migration crackdown but would not stop it. People would continue to be turned away at the German border, he said. A Berlin administrative court last week said the expulsion of the three unnamed Somalis, who were sent back to Poland after arriving at a train station in eastern Germany, was 'unlawful". It said that under the European Union's Dublin Regulation, Germany should have determined which country was responsible for processing their claim before sending them back, in a ruling that Merz's interior minister contested. That marks a big shift since Germany's 'Refugees Welcome" culture during Europe's migrant crisis in 2015 under Merz's conservative predecessor, Angela Merkel. Merz's government issued an order in May to reject undocumented migrants, including asylum seekers, at Germany's borders. Dobrindt defended the expulsions, saying he would provide justifications for banning entry and portraying the ruling as an isolated case. 'I have made it clear several times that this is about being overwhelmed, and I see this overburdening," he told reporters. With Agency Inputs First Published: June 08, 2025, 16:45 IST
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Germany to end 3-year citizenship option for migrants; 5-year path to stay
Germany is preparing to end a policy that allows well-integrated migrants to apply for citizenship after just three years of residency. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is expected to present a bill that would roll back the fast-track option introduced by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Three-year naturalisation process to go Speaking to Bild, a German newspaper, Dobrindt said, 'Express naturalisation after three years of residency was a mistake. We are putting an end to it now. German citizenship must come at the end of an integration process and not at the beginning.' The measure was brought in last June by the previous coalition government of the SPD, the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party. It allowed residents to apply for German citizenship after three years if they had advanced German language skills—level C1—and could show strong achievements in integrating into German society, such as volunteer work or professional success. Under the existing system: 1. Residents with C1-level German and other strong achievements can apply after three years. 2. Most permanent residents can apply after five years with B1-level German and knowledge of German history. Skilled worker shortages remain Germany's decision comes despite ongoing labour shortages across several sectors. Business groups have repeatedly urged the government to make it easier for foreign professionals to settle in Germany. In April, German Ambassador to India Dr Philipp Ackermann spoke about Germany's need for skilled workers. At the launch of the Global Access to Talent from India (GATI) Foundation in New Delhi, he said, 'Our government has very clearly identified a need for about 500,000 skilled workers per year across all sectors—not just the top levels but also at the apprenticeship level. We need bakers, butchers, plumbers—people across the skills spectrum.' Ackermann also spoke about the new 'Opportunity Card', a points-based system allowing individuals to apply for a visa without a prior job offer if they meet the criteria. 'Currently, we issue about 20,000 to 25,000 skilled worker visas a year. That's not enough. We need more—but also the right kind of migration, with skilled, motivated candidates,' he said. What remains unchanged for migrants * The 5-year residency route to citizenship remains in place. * Applicants must have an intermediate B1 level of German. * Dual citizenship is still permitted. Indians planning to work in Germany should note that the country remains open to skilled professionals, despite plans to scrap the expedited naturalisation route. With 273,000 people of Indian origin—including expatriates and German citizens—already residing in the country, Indians represent the second-largest South, South East, East, or Central Asian community in Germany after Afghanistan. In October 2024, Germany announced plans to issue over 10% more professional visas in 2025 to combat labour shortages. On November 17, the government confirmed it will issue 200,000 professional visas next year. Of these, 90,000 will be allocated to Indian skilled workers, a significant increase from the previous cap of 20,000.
