Germany Introduces Opportunity Card to Entice Foreign Workers: “Urgently Needed”

• Germany has introduced the Opportunity Card, a new visa scheme designed to attract non-EU skilled workers to help alleviate the country's labour shortage
• The Opportunity Card allows skilled workers to immigrate to Germany without a pre-arranged job and live there for up to a year while searching for employment
• Germany's Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, emphasised the scheme's role in maintaining economic stability by addressing the skilled labour deficit

Berlin—Germany has introduced the Opportunity Card, a new visa scheme designed to help the country address its acute labour shortage.

Germany presents opportunity for skilled workers

The opportunity card will allow skilled workers from countries outside the European Union to immigrate to Germany without finding a job.

These workers will then be allowed to live in Germany for a year while looking for jobs.

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The scheme, known in German as the Chancenkarte, officially went into effect on Saturday, 1 June 2024.

Why Germany is encouraging immigration of skilled workers

Germany's Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, announced the initiative, emphasising its importance for economic stability.

The Opportunity Card is part of a broader legislative package designed to alleviate the skilled labour deficit that has been hampering various sectors of the German economy.

"We are ensuring workers and skilled workers that our economy has urgently needed for years can come to our country," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Saturday as reported by DW.

Eligibility criteria for Germany's Opportunity Card

Applicants for the Opportunity Card must meet specific criteria to qualify, including having at least two years of vocational training or a recognised university degree.

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Additionally, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in either German or English.

The selection process operates on a points-based system, evaluating applicants based on their language skills, professional experience, age, and connections to Germany.

To be eligible, applicants must accumulate a minimum of six points. Interested individuals can find more details and apply online.

Woman goes from selling sweets to moving abroad

Meanwhile, Briefly News shared that a South African woman captured the emotional journey of moving to another country in a TikTok video. In the footage, she tears up and says goodbye to her loved ones at the airport.

Netizens rallied behind the hard-working woman and showered her with congratulations and well-wishes.

Source: TUKO.co.ke