Changes Proposed to Immigration Law for Skilled Workers

When Germany's first ever immigration law came into effect in 2005, there was widespread acknowledgement that it was far from perfect and would require amendments in the future.

While German lawmakers may not be able to agree on amending the law to allow the naturalization of long-term refugees or illegal immigrants, there is considerably more consensus when it comes to improving conditions for skilled immigrants.

Under the current regulations, qualified potential immigrants seeking residency permits in Germany often face substantial hurdles. As a consequence, only around 900 skilled workers gained permanent residency in the country last year.

"We have to make it clear who we want to have (come to Germany)," Brandenburg's Interior Minister and Christian Democratic Union member Jörg Schönbohm told rbb-Inforadio, adding that there needed to be more of an incentive for skilled workers to come to the country.

Social Democrat interior affairs spokesman Dieter Wiefelspütz said it was wrong, for example, to insist that applicants must earn the equivalent of at least 84,000 euros ($108,000) a year in their home countries or be turned away.

"A top-notch young scientist may not yet earn more than 80,000 euros, but it should be possible to find him a job in Germany, if his skills are needed," Wiefelspütz said. "We're thinking about lowering the threshold as far as compulsory annual earnings are concerned."

There are reports of agreement to lower the income bar to 64,000 euros in annual earnings for applicants under 35 years old. representatives from German industry said they believe it should not be any higher than 35,000 euros. They also said they want to see other conditions for self-employed foreigners eased.

Investment requirements

At present, foreign entrepreneurs have to invest at least 1 million euros and create 10 new jobs in order to be entitled to stay in Germany.

Martin Wansleben, head of the German chamber of commerce (DIHK), said as long as new jobs are created, there's no need to be too specific about the level of investment. Wansleben said he favors a points system to help regulate the influx of skilled workers.

"It could be done along the lines that already exist in Canada or Australia," he said. "Points would be awarded to applicants according to their qualifications, job experience and language skills. This would be a very flexible system that could be adapted to suit the real needs of the country. Such a system could be implemented swiftly and with no red tape at all."