Como Alemanha quer usar 'green card' para atrair imigrantes

Summary

Germany is proposing changes to its immigration system to attract young, skilled professionals, including offering a points-based visa system similar to the U.S. Green Card. This initiative targets sectors facing labor shortages, such as engineering, healthcare, and construction. The new plan would allow foreigners to seek jobs in Germany without a prior job offer, easing the migration process. However, challenges such as language barriers, bureaucratic hurdles, and high living costs remain. Germany is also addressing its aging population and workforce shortages, with the aim of maintaining its economic strength and competitive global position.

Takeaways

• 😀 Germany plans to make it easier for highly skilled immigrants to move there, especially for those with university degrees and professional experience.
• 😀 A proposed new immigration system, similar to the U.S. Green Card, would use a point-based system to assess applicants, with higher qualifications leading to easier visa access.
• 😀 Immigrants would be allowed to search for jobs in Germany without needing a job offer before applying for a visa, streamlining the immigration process.
• 😀 The key requirements for the new visa would include a university degree, knowledge of German or prior experience living in Germany, three years of work experience, and being under 35 years old.
• 😀 Applicants would need to prove they can support themselves financially while searching for work in Germany.
• 😀 The proposed system also includes a visa quota, which would be adjusted based on job demand in Germany.
• 😀 Germany is facing a significant shortage of skilled workers, with over 400,000 job vacancies reported in 2021, and the shortage has likely worsened since then.
• 😀 Key industries facing worker shortages include engineering, healthcare, construction, transport, hospitality, and technology.
• 😀 Experts suggest that language barriers, bureaucratic challenges in recognizing foreign qualifications, and cultural adaptation issues could hinder the success of the immigration plan.
• 😀 The German government is working on measures to simplify qualification recognition and help foreign workers integrate into the country, but challenges remain, especially regarding the language and high living costs in some cities.

Q & A

What changes is the German government planning to make regarding immigration?

The German government is planning to introduce a new immigration system, similar to the U.S. green card, which would be based on a points system. The system would reward individuals with higher qualifications, experience, and language proficiency, making it easier for them to obtain a visa and move to Germany to look for a job.

How does the new German immigration system differ from the traditional model?

Unlike many countries, where job offers are required to apply for a visa, the new German system allows individuals to move to Germany without a job offer. They can look for work after arriving, as long as they meet certain criteria such as holding a university degree, speaking German, having at least three years of experience, and being under 35 years old.

What are the specific criteria for obtaining a visa under the new German immigration system?

To qualify for a visa under the new system, applicants must meet three out of four criteria: holding a university degree, knowledge of the German language or prior experience living in Germany, having at least three years of professional experience, and being under 35 years old.

What is the main reason behind Germany's desire to attract more immigrants?

Germany faces a significant shortage of skilled workers, with an estimated 400,000 job vacancies due to a lack of qualified professionals. This shortage is particularly affecting industries like engineering, healthcare, and other essential sectors. The government aims to address this gap by attracting qualified immigrants.

Why does Germany struggle to compete with English-speaking countries in attracting skilled workers?

Germany struggles to compete with countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia because these countries are more attractive to skilled professionals, especially in a post-pandemic world where many professionals can work remotely. Additionally, Germany faces challenges related to language barriers and bureaucratic hurdles.

How does Germany's aging population impact its workforce?

Germany's aging population is a major concern, as it leads to a shrinking workforce. Many workers are retiring, and the low fertility rate of 1.53 children per woman means fewer new workers are entering the job market, exacerbating the labor shortage and making it difficult to maintain economic growth.

What sectors are most in need of skilled workers in Germany?

Germany is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers across several sectors, with the highest demand in scientific, technical, medical, and nursing fields. Other areas with significant shortages include construction, transportation, hospitality, healthcare, social services, and technology services.

What are some of the challenges that foreign workers face when trying to work in Germany?

Foreign workers often face challenges such as language barriers, difficulties in having foreign qualifications validated, bureaucratic hurdles, cultural adaptation, and high housing costs in certain cities. These issues can make it harder for immigrants to integrate into the workforce.

What solutions are being proposed to reduce bureaucratic obstacles for immigrants in Germany?

To reduce bureaucratic obstacles, the German government is considering allowing professional associations to validate the qualifications of workers, which would eliminate the need for official certification. There are also calls for better digitalization of the qualification validation process to streamline it.

What role do German companies play in addressing the labor shortage?

German companies, including both large industries and small to medium-sized enterprises, are actively addressing the labor shortage by pressing the government to allow controlled immigration. Many companies, especially family-owned ones, offer strong professional training programs and long-term career opportunities, helping to attract skilled workers.