Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz / Skilled Worker Immigration Act / Chancenkarte / Opportunity Card

General Information

The German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) approved the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Worker Immigration Act) on the 23rd of June 2023. The new law making it easier mainly for skilled workers is expected to come into force on from 1st March, 2024. Following groups of people are to benefit from this new law:

Groups that enjoy changes/benefit from the Skilled Worker Immigration Act

• Skilled workers: the qualified professional is to enjoy a fast-tracked and simplified process for immigration that can even be initiated by the company.

The qualified professional is one who has either completed vocational training in Germany or acquired a vocational training outside Germany.

• The vocational qualification doesn’t have to be recognized by Germany in future, meaning less bureaucracy and shorter procedures.

• If you have at least two years of experience in your vocation and a recognized professional qualification in your country, you can enter immigration. For this the salary threshold must be met or your future employer must be bound by collective agreements (Tarifvereinbarung).

• The next of step of recognition in Germany must be embarked on by both the employer and employee by entering and adhering to a recognition partnership.

• For industries with urgent need for staff, anyone who applies and is employed can work for up to eight months without matching qualification, if only the employer is a member of the collective bargaining employers.

• Degree holders:

  • Degree-holders now no longer have to work within their field of study but are free to do any qualified work.

  • Also the salary threshold will be reduced in future.

• Jobseekers outside Germany: A job opportunity card that prioritizes people’s potential has been introduced for job seekers

  • The opportunity card operates by a point system similar to the Canadian point system.

  • Decisive criteria are: German and English language proficiency, job qualification, work experience, reference to Germany, professional experience, age of the applicant and their spouse.

  • Further bonuses are employment of up to 20 hours weekly and a trial employment of two-week duration (Probearbeit).

What to do?

• Start working on proof of language proficiency in German and English

• Start working on recognition of your professional skills in your home country

• Start applying for jobs already. For jobs in Germany:

  • Make it in Germany: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland/jobboerse

  • Stepstone: www.stepstone.de

  • Indeed: www.indeed.de

This article was written by Phoebe Anane, founder of The Phoebe Way. Phoebe is passionate and determined to eliminate barriers that block the development of immigrants in Germany. With a 7 years of experience as a legal interpretor and 18 years of living in Germany she has the tools to coach you in having a smooth transition in Germany.

If you need any assistance, you can contact us at info@thephoebeway.de