On June 23, 2023, the Bundestag passed the Act on the Further Development of Skilled Labor Immigration. Most of the new regulations are expected to come into force in the first few months of 2024.
The changes are intended to make it easier for foreign skilled workers to come to Germany and to counteract the continuing shortage of skilled workers. Three areas have been identified as priorities: the skilled worker pillar, the experience pillar, and the potential pillar.
The changes expand the possibilities of the EU Blue Card, for example, by lowering existing salary thresholds for regular and bottleneck occupations. It will also be easier to change employers if the card has already been issued, as well as to bring family members to Germany.
Proof of professional recognition of the qualification in Germany prior to the entry of the interested skilled worker is no longer necessary if the person can demonstrate at least two years of professional experience and a professional qualification acquired abroad and recognized by the state there. In addition, a salary threshold must be reached for this. Foreign skilled workers can enter Germany with these requirements and only start the recognition procedure in Germany.
An opportunity card is to be introduced for all those who have not yet received a concrete job offer but have great potential. The assessment is carried out using a points system. Language skills, professional experience, and other criteria play a role here.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2023/kw25-de-fachkraefte-954400
