Federal Employment Agency Applications Subject to Stricter Review Standards and Delays
May 30, 2018
The situation
The creation of a new Federal Employment Agency (FEA) unit may increase scrutiny for FEA-involved applications.
Background
The FEA is responsible for preapproving work and residence permit applications. The new unit was created to review case handling and immigration compliance for employers in Germany.
A closer look
- Stricter standards. The new unit may result in stricter application review standards for applications filed with the FEA.
- Impact. Due to the stricter standards, the processing times for FEA-reviewed applications have increased.
- Impact. Due to the stricter standards, the processing times for FEA-reviewed applications have increased.
- Higher minimum salary levels. The new unit may result in increased use of FEA officers’ discretionary authority to apply higher minimum salary levels.
- Impact.
- Prior to filing initial or renewal visa applications, employers should ensure their foreign workers meet minimum salary requirements.
- Employers planning to file new or renewal work and residence permit applications should take into account potentially higher salary thresholds, which could increase employer costs.
- Impact.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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