Germany new immigration policy
Germany has introduced several new immigration policies in recent years to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and refugees. Here are some key developments:
- Skilled Worker Immigration Act (Gesetz zur Förderung von Fachkräften): Introduced in 2020, this law aims to attract highly skilled workers from non-EU countries. It provides a simplified and faster application process for skilled workers, including a points-based system to assess their qualifications and language skills.
- Start-up Visa: Launched in 2019, this program allows entrepreneurs from non-EU countries to start a business in Germany. The visa is valid for two years and can be extended for another two years.
- Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Visa: This visa allows employees of non-EU companies to work in Germany for up to three years. The visa is valid for employees who are transferred to Germany for work purposes, such as training, management, or specialized skills.
- Research Visa: Introduced in 2020, this visa allows researchers from non-EU countries to work in Germany for up to two years. The visa is valid for researchers who are invited by a German university or research institution.
- Refugee Integration Act (Integrationsgesetz): This law aims to improve the integration of refugees in Germany. It provides language training, job placement services, and other support measures to help refugees integrate into German society.
- Asylum Seeker Employment Act (Asylbewerberbeschäftigungsgesetz): This law allows asylum seekers to work in Germany while their asylum application is being processed. The law aims to promote the integration of asylum seekers into the German labor market.
- Digital Nomad Visa: Germany is planning to introduce a digital nomad visa, which will allow remote workers from non-EU countries to live and work in Germany for up to a year.
Key features of Germany's new immigration policy:
- Emphasis on attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs
- Simplified and faster application processes
- Points-based system to assess qualifications and language skills
- Increased focus on integration and language training for refugees and asylum seekers
- Expansion of work permits for non-EU nationals
- Introduction of new visa categories, such as the digital nomad visa
Challenges and controversies:
- Concerns about the impact of immigration on the German labor market and social welfare system
- Debate about the effectiveness of the points-based system in attracting the right skills and talent
- Criticism of the government's handling of refugee integration and asylum seeker employment
- Concerns about the potential for abuse of the new visa categories, such as the digital nomad visa.
Overall, Germany's new immigration policy aims to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and refugees, while also promoting integration and addressing concerns about the impact of immigration on the labor market and social welfare system.