The service department at the Federal Employment Agency will advise foreigners on a plan of action
The main thing is qualifications
As Deutsche Welle notes, the main innovation is that now not only university graduates but also representatives of skilled trades will be able to find work in Germany. Previously, those who completed a technical school or college had chances of employment only if the profession was on the "positive list" of shortage occupations. Now this restriction is lifted and the list can be forgotten.
Two main conditions will apply: first, the presence of qualifications, i.e., a university degree or a vocational training diploma that lasted at least two years. The qualification must be recognized by the relevant German authority.
Previously, for some professions (such as doctor or teacher) diploma recognition was mandatory, for others (e.g., engineer or IT specialist) it was voluntary. Now the same rule applies to all. However, there is an exception: foreign IT specialists with at least B1 German language skills will be able to work without having their diploma recognized in Germany – they only need at least three years of work experience in their field (over the last five years) and an employment contract with a salary of at least 4,020 euros per month.
Job offer
The second condition: there must be a specific job offer or an already concluded contract with a German employer. The priority check (i.e., whether a specialist from Germany or the EU can fill the vacancy), previously conducted by the Federal Employment Agency, will no longer be carried out.
However, employment conditions will still be monitored – they must be the same for both a German and a foreign specialist in the same position. A service department has been established at the Federal Employment Agency to advise foreigners on employment matters.
The nature of the activity must correspond to the acquired knowledge. This means that employment in a related profession becomes possible. In addition, specialists with a university degree will be allowed to perform work for which intermediate vocational qualifications are sufficient. However, this rule will not apply to applicants for the Blue Card – here, having a university degree remains important.
The new law does not provide for permission for unskilled work in Germany that does not require special training or qualifications. There is also another caveat: specialists over 45 years of age will only be issued a German work visa if the employment contract provides for earnings of at least 3,685 euros per month.
Job search
Those who have qualifications and speak German well (at least at B1 level) will be allowed to reside in Germany without an employment contract for six months – to find a job. Until now, this opportunity was only available to specialists with higher education. An important condition is that the qualification must be recognized in Germany.
Job seekers must support themselves financially. The state does not provide social benefits in this case. Having an insurance policy and temporary accommodation are mandatory requirements. While searching for employment, it will be allowed to work up to 10 hours per week for a potential employer, so to speak, to get to know each other.
Further training
If, when comparing foreign qualifications with German ones, discrepancies are identified and the specialist lacks theoretical knowledge or practical experience for recognition in Germany, a visa for 18 to 24 months can be obtained for the purpose of further training. German language skills in this case must be at least at A2 level.
Vocational training opportunities
For non-EU foreigners interested in vocational training in Germany, the new law provides the opportunity to obtain a visa for at least six months to find a suitable vacancy. The applicant must have German at B2 level, be no older than 25, and have sufficient means of support.
Another formal requirement for all foreign applicants in Germany: in addition to a secondary school leaving certificate or a diploma from a secondary specialized educational institution, they must have studied for one or two years at a university in their home country or at a German preparatory college.
Visa issue
Those who have a specific job offer will be able to obtain a visa for four years or for the duration specified in the employment contract. After four years, they can apply for a residence permit. If a specialist graduates from a university or completes vocational training in Germany and then works for two years, they can apply for a residence permit immediately after that.
In the future, the procedure for recognizing qualifications should take no more than three months. The visa issuance decision should be made within a maximum of four weeks. The employer can initiate an accelerated procedure – then it will take two months.