As the leading force in the euro economic area, Germany, which has a strong family, has also been seriously injured by the energy crisis, the new crown epidemic and the Russo-Ukrainian war. According to the Ministry of Labour, there will be a shortage of 240,000 skilled workers in Germany by 2026.
Faced with a labor shortage, on Wednesday, Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil revealed to the public that Germany is considering lowering the immigration threshold to three years and proposing an "opportunity card" and a new points immigration system.
These changes are aimed at making it easier for people to work in Germany.
"For many German companies, there is now a certain problem in finding skilled workers," said Labour Minister Hubertus Heil.
According to Deutsche Welle, about 56% of companies in Germany are currently reporting understaffing.
This summer in particular, Germany's aviation industry was in chaos: temporary cancellations of flights, long queues at security checks, and the inability to unload checked baggage in time, etc., are enough to illustrate the downturn in the German labor market.
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In summary, the German government has to consider lowering the immigration threshold, providing a large number of language integration courses, vocational skills training, shortening the time for foreigners to apply for naturalization, and reshaping itself into a "modern immigrant country".
In the future, the following three major changes will occur in German immigration policy!
Offers Chancenkarte "Opportunity Card"
Even without a suitable work plan, foreigners can come to Germany to find a job, as long as three of the following conditions are met:
1⃣️ Have a university degree or professional qualification certificate
2⃣️ At least three years of relevant work experience
3⃣️ German language proficiency or having lived in Germany
4⃣️ Under 35 years of age
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Foreigners who have obtained the Opportunity Card will have one year to look for a job in Germany and will have to pay for their own living expenses during the job search.
According to the Minister of Labour, the German government will set an annual quota for the number of people who can come to Germany with an opportunity card, based on the needs of the labor market.
The minimum naturalization in Germany is three years
Previously, Germany was one of the countries with relatively strict rules for expatriates to obtain citizenship, requiring foreigners to stay in the country for nearly a decade before they could obtain naturalization rights.
But for now, the German government wants to make it easier for foreigners to naturalize.
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Future German citizenship will be possible in five years, rather than the current eight years, and a minimum of three years if one is considered to be particularly well integrated into German society and has a special achievement of integration.
At the same time, Germany will allow non-EU citizens to have dual citizenship. Previously, many non-EU citizens only took permanent residence status in Germany and did not actually become a German naturalizer. After the agreement comes into force, new immigrants are not required to renounce their original nationality and can obtain German citizenship at the same time.
Effects on Chinese
Chinese parents preparing to have children in Germany should pay attention: as long as one of the parents has legally resided in Germany for five years, the new law will automatically grant German citizenship to newborns born in Germany.
The Family Reunification Visa abolishes the requirement for German scores, which previously required A1 results.
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The new policy will relax visa applications, and the German government will provide more opportunities for foreign students and vocational trainers, simplify visa processing procedures, and reduce talent in an eclectic manner.
It can be seen that the integration of immigrants in Germany is moving in a more "pragmatic" direction.
This is mainly reflected in the fact that vocational training positions, which were difficult for foreigners to apply for in the past, have become more open. The German Labour Office also provides language integration assistance to more people who want to achieve employment in Germany.
A spokesman for the German Interior Ministry said the new immigration policy changes, while "high priority," could take some time to implement.