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What you need to know about Germany’s new ‘Green Card’ and the requirements to attain it

Chancenkarte, the new Green Card to work in Germany. Germany has been faced with a huge labour shortage and has decided to launch its first ever version of a ‘Green Card’ in an attempt to boost immigration. Here’s what we know about this new opportunity:

Chancenkarte: Germany’s new ‘Green Card’

The ‘Green Card’ aims to make it easier for non-EU nationals to come find work in an attempt to save Germany from its’ labour shortage. Industry associations have been complaining for some time, and the Labour Ministry has suggested the shortfall is slowing down economic growth.  Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil explained this in the Bild am Sonntag.

The new “opportunity card,” presented by Labour Minister Hubertus Heil, will offer foreign nationals the chance to go to Germany to look for work even without a job offer, as long as they fulfil at least three of these four criteria:

  • A university degree or professional qualification
  • Professional experience of at least three years
  • Language skill or previous residence in Germany
  • Aged under 35

The number of cards to be issued will be limited by the government and rolled out on a year-by-year basis and according to demand in the market.

Labor Minister Hubertus Heil said on the WDR public radio station: “This is about qualified immigration, an unbureaucratic process, and that’s why it’s important that we say that those who have the opportunity card can earn a living while they are here.”

The cards will mimic Canada’s and Australia’s immigration system and there will be limits and conditions to it.

Source: dw.com,