The new Skilled Workers Immigration Act (FEG) for Germany became operative on March 1, 2020. For the first time, it also includes the immigration of foreign skilled workers and specialists outside the EU. If the legal requirements are met, this act will facilitate the entry of skilled workers into the Federal Republic of Germany and thus securing the economic strength of Germany. Furthermore, to simplify the process of job hunting and employment, the new FEG also includes the basic points for permanent integration into the working world and daily life in Germany.
“Skilled worker”: definition
The term “skilled worker” includes the following groups of people:
- People who have completed academic education or professional training
- Trainees and higher education students
- Persons with qualifications which are going through procedures to recognize their qualifications
- Experts and specialists with practical and job-related expertise
The vocational training must have a duration of at least two years.
Types of employment
A skilled worker can work according to their qualifications, i.e. they can also work in equivalent professions (e.g. an electrical engineer can also work as an electrical technician for energy and building technology).
Recognition of foreign qualifications
A qualification acquired abroad, either as a school/university degree or a professional qualification, must be recognized by the competent authority in Germany. The degree can be fully, partially or not recognized. The procedure depends on many factors, among other the profession which is going to be practiced in Germany.
Entry with a deficit notification from the certification authority
The skilled worker can also travel to the Federal Republic of Germany if the recognition authority finds deficits in their foreign professional qualification compared to the German standards. However, the visa is only issued for training or professional qualifications in Germany. The prerequisite for this, however, is that all other documents are complete (e.g. knowledge of German language corresponding to the professional qualification measures).
The accelerated procedure for skilled workers (§ 81a AufenthG)
If the skilled worker (employee) gives the employer a power of authority, the employer can initiate an accelerated skilled worker procedure at the foreigners’ registration office in Germany. In this case, 411 € must be paid for this procedure, with some other additional fees such as for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications etc..
The local foreigners’ registration office in the city where the employer is located, is responsible for the accelerated procedure of skilled worker.
Even if the decision of the accelerated procedure for skilled workers is positive, it does not guarantee that a visa will be issued by the responsible German embassy in the home country.
Further Information
- Hotline for working and living issues in Germany: +49 30 1815 – 1111
- Portal of the federal government for skilled workers from foreign countries:
www.make-it-in-germany.com
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees: www.bamf.de
- Information portal for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications:
www.anendung-in-deutschland.de
- Anabin database for foreign recognition and certification of foreign university degrees: www.anabin.kmk.org