Germany: Updates on Digitalization, Delays and Policy Developments
November 30, 2022
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At a Glance
- German authorities have been piloting an online filing platform for EU Blue Card and pre-approval applications in certain districts.
- The government has also opened more central immigration offices, implementing fast-track processing in select immigration departments.
- Despite these efforts, processing delays continue to worsen country-wide due to residual COVID-19 backlog, the war in Ukraine and staff shortages.
The situation
In an effort to reduce ongoing processing delays, German authorities have implemented an online filing platform for certain visa applications and introduced fast-track processing at select immigration centers. Despite these initiatives, processing times continue to increase, impacting international travel and employment start dates.
A closer look
The German government has made the following key changes:
| Change | Details |
| Digitalizing select visa processes |
|
| Fast-track processing and establishment of additional centers |
|
Impact
Although digitalizing application submission was intended to expedite processes, these platforms are solely utilized in specific consulates for certain visa types, making it difficult to mitigate the larger issue of worsening delays.
In regard to the Fast-Track process, individual immigration offices are still involved in the overall visa process and since these centers are experiencing delays, processes are still delayed by up to several weeks. Newly-established centers are also working on application backlog as well, so the impact on delays has been minimal.
Background
These persistent processing delays originate from COVID-19 backlog, the ongoing war in Ukraine and staffing shortages within immigration centers.
Looking ahead
In an effort to combat staffing shortages and revive economic mobility, there are a few developments in Germany:
- Points-based system. The German government has proposed a new initiative called the ‘Opportunity Card,’ which would allow individuals seeking employment or training to travel to Germany for a certain period of time. Applicants would be granted the card if they fulfill three out of the four criteria, including the following: age 35 years or less, holds an academic degree, professional experience of at least three years, sufficient German language skills (or shows proof of previous stay in Germany in supplement of language requirement). If the applicant can secure three of the four criteria, they would be granted the Opportunity Card. There would be a quota set each year for this card; validity and further details are currently unknown. Note, this initiative is under development and a final regulation has not been published. It may therefore be subject to change.
- Reform of degree recognition system. The government is also planning to simplify the degree verification system, a growing global trend that intends to reduce strenuous academic requirements currently necessary for certain visa types.
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].
