If you’ve ever dreamed of living in Germany, now might be the perfect time to give it a try.
Recently, the country announced a new work visa, the Chancenkarte, or “Opportunity Card”, which offers non-Europeans a new chance to immigrate to Germany.
Chancenkarte, which began accepting applications on June 1, uses a new points-based system that evaluates candidates against specific criteria such as academic qualifications, language skills and previous work experience.
“[The Opportunity Card] will make it easier and faster for people with experience and potential to find a suitable job and get started,” said Nancy Faeser, Germany’s Federal Minister for the Interior and Community, in a statement to the TAM.
Those who obtain the Opportunity Card can live in Germany for up to a year while looking for work, without the need for an employer to sponsor them in advance. The card also allows people to work legally part-time while looking for something more stable.
This represents a significant shift in how the country is dealing with growing labor shortages and aims to increase the number of professionals in the medicine, education, manufacturing and engineering sectors.
More than just a visa for digital nomads, the new card offers non-EU citizens the opportunity to simplify the immigration process to Germany and seek employment in the country, something that has been widely debated by conservatives, who argue that it could allow rejected asylum seekers to find work in Germany.
Successful candidates will be required to possess a professional qualification or academic degree fully recognized in Germany, or a combination of criteria such as years of professional experience, specific age and language skills, each awarded a specific number of points.
Applicants must have a minimum score of six points to qualify for the visa. In addition, they must demonstrate financial capacity to cover maintenance expenses during the job search, with at least €1,027 per month.
Because EU citizens can already live and work in Germany, the new opportunity visa is aimed at those currently living outside the EU and in Switzerland, as Swiss citizens also do not require a visa to enter nor do they need permission to enter. work in Germany.
Chancenkarte is designed to favor non-European citizens with connections to Germany, as extra points are awarded to those who have German language skills or have studied in German schools.
Alex Masurovsky, a former master’s student at the Berlin School of Mind and Brain who now lives in New York, thinks about the opportunities that the new visa offers for those who want to live and work in Berlin.
“For me, [Germany] had exactly these very European things, like sitting down to drink coffee and going out late to enjoy it without seeming pretentious,” he reflected.
“(In Europe) there is also a great appreciation for music, mainly electronic, but there are also small and good niches in jazz, blues and punk rock. I would recommend it to anyone.”
While it is true that the country’s culture and nightlife can be attractive elements, the new visa is intended to provide a long-term solution to the current labor shortage, one of the main factors contributing to financial problems. currently faced by Germany.
“We want to make sure we can attract the skilled workers our economy has urgently needed for years,” Fraser said.
“This is vital for the future of our country.”
Those interested in learning more can visit the Make It In Germany website for more information.
The site has an “auto check” that allows visitors to check their eligibility status.
Official applications for the visa must be made in person at the German Diplomatic Mission in your city, state or country.
