German government made new immigration rules which came into force on 1st March 2020. The set of new immigration rules was known as “skilled immigration act”. The new German immigration rules opened more opportunities for foreign skilled workers and enabled German employers to recruit foreign skilled workers easily as compare to past. The major changes in German immigration rules were as follows:
Historical note: This article describes the 2020 version of the Skilled Immigration Act. Germany comprehensively reformed the act in 2023/2024 (changes phased in from November 2023 to 2024) – the update notes below explain what changed.
Germany Work Visa for Skilled Workers:
According to skilled immigration act of Germany, Foreign workers with vocational training of at least two years will be to get Germany work visa. There will be no need for employers to get permission from Federal employment agency in order to recruit foreign skilled workers. A valid job offer with a job contract will be enough to apply work visa for skilled workers. Foreign workers must get their skills recognized from relevant German department before visa application. Since March 2024, a “recognition partnership” (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) also allows skilled workers to enter Germany and start work while completing the recognition procedure after arrival. It is not required to have occupation included in “skilled occupation list”.
In past, Germany work visa rules was favorable only for high qualified professionals with university degrees. Germany immigration news laws opened doors for people who do not have university degrees. However, candidates must have at least two years diploma of vocational training.
Job Seekers Visa (replaced by the Opportunity Card in June 2024):
From 1 June 2024, the old job seeker visa was replaced by the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, Section 20a of the Residence Act). It is a points-based residence permit: applicants need at least 6 points (awarded for qualifications, professional experience, language skills, age and other criteria), a vocational qualification of at least two years (or an academic qualification) recognized in the country where it was obtained, basic language skills (German A1 or English B2), and proof of financial means (1,091 euros net per month in 2026). The card is issued for up to one year; holders may work part-time up to 20 hours per week and do trial jobs of up to two weeks per employer. Applicants whose foreign qualification is already fully recognized in Germany do not need the points system and do not need to prove language skills.
Once they have successfully secured a job offer, they can apply for Germany work Visa. The 2020 act had opened the job seeker visa – previously available for highly qualified professionals only – to skilled workers as well; from June 2024 this route was replaced by the points-based Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). Read More about Germany Seeker Visa.
Permanent Residence for Workers:
Previously, foreign workers were able to get Permanent residence of Germany after five years. Under the skilled immigration act 2020 they became able to get permanent residence after 4 years. Since the 2024 reform, skilled workers may apply for a settlement permit after only three years (previously four years).
Permanent Residence for Students:
According to new German immigration rules, foreign students doing vocational training courses in Germany would be able to get permanent residence after two years of completion of their course. This facility was previously available for university graduate students only.
Changing Visa Status from Student Visa to Work Visa:
Change of status from student visa to work visa already exist in Germany. However, Germany New Skilled Immigration Act 2020 expands this facility and make it easier for international students to change their status from student visa to work visa. This allows students who get job offer during their study, they can change their status from student to employment visa and residence. However, government of Germany may imposed certain conditions for this transition.
EU Blue Card and High Qualified Professionals:
The 2020 act made no change for EU Blue Card and visas for highly qualified professionals. However, the November 2023 reform lowered the EU Blue Card salary thresholds (45,934.20 euros for shortage occupations and recent graduates, 50,700 euros for regular occupations, in 2026), extended the card to recent university graduates and experienced IT specialists without a degree, and expanded the shortage-occupation list. Read About Germany Blue Card.