- Germany has introduced the Opportunity Card, a new visa system designed to attract skilled workers from outside the EU to help ease the country’s labor shortage
- The Opportunity Card allows skilled workers to immigrate to Germany without a fixed job and live there for up to one year while looking for work
- Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, emphasized the system’s role in maintaining economic stability by addressing a shortage of skilled labor
Elijah Ntongai, a reporter at TUKO.co.ke, has more than three years of expertise in financial, business and technology research, providing insight into Kenyan and global trends.
Berlin—Germany has introduced the Opportunity Card, a new visa system designed to help the country deal with a severe labor shortage.
Source: UGC
The opportunity card will allow skilled workers from countries outside the European Union to immigrate to Germany without finding a job.
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These workers will then be allowed to live in Germany for a year while looking for work.
The scheme, known in German as Chancenkarte, officially came into force on Saturday 1 June 2024.
Why Germany encourages the immigration of skilled workers
Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Feiser, announced the initiative, stressing its importance for the country’s economic stability.
The Opportunity Card is part of a wider legislative package designed to alleviate the skilled labor shortage that is hampering various sectors of the German economy.
“We’re making sure the workers and skilled workers our economy has urgently needed for years can come to our country,” Interior Secretary Nancy Feiser said Saturday. reports DW.
Eligibility criteria for the German Opportunity Card
Opportunity Card applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify, including having at least two years of vocational training or a recognized university degree.
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In addition, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either German or English.
The selection process operates on a points-based system, evaluating candidates on language skills, work experience, age and connections to Germany.
To be eligible, candidates must score at least six points. Those interested can find more details and apply online.
How Kenyans can benefit from the Opportunity Card
Many Kenyans have gone job search abroadand many have lost money to scammers who claimed they could get them jobs in Germany.
Kenyans had to have a job before they could immigrate to Germany, but this is no longer necessary with the introduction of the Opportunity Card.
This is because once an Opportunity Card is granted, people can enter Germany and look for work for up to one year.
During this time, they will be allowed to work part-time or on probation for up to 20 hours a week.
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This flexibility allows applicants to support themselves financially while looking for full-time employment abroad.
Source: TUKO.co.ke