Germany: Reminder - New Immigration Bill to Overhaul Skilled Migration
February 20, 2020
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The situation
A new immigration bill will overhaul the German skilled migration system starting March 1, 2020.
A closer look
The bill introduces the following key changes:
| CHANGE | DETAILS |
| New departure notification requirement |
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| Improved access to work authorization based on vocational training and professional experience |
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| Fast track process and opportunity to create central immigration office |
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| Sponsor compliance review |
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Impact
The new law increases Germany’s attractiveness for foreign talent while increasing the compliance burden on sponsoring employers.
During a transitional phase, Fragomen expects processing delays of several weeks for all permit types for skilled migration, including the EU Intracompany Transferee Permit and EU Blue Card. Employers and foreign nationals are advised to plan for such delays in determining work start dates.
Looking ahead
Over the coming months, German authorities have to adapt to new processes and requirements – employer should therefore expect inconsistent handling of requirements and new processes by German authorities.
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].
