Outlook:
Will things get better?

In 2023, the Bundestag passed the Law to Develop Skilled Worker Immigration from non-EU countries. The goal: shorter processes and less bureaucracy. Jörg Veit is confident, as there have been many improvements even just due to the accelerated process. “There are all new possibilities now, such as the Opportunity Card. I am convinced it will benefit us.”

The healthcare sector, in contrast, ist more reticent to evaluate changes. “It all sounds good. However, waiting times are very long, and no matter how good the law is, it doesn’t help me if a request fails due to staffing shortages in the immigration office or governmental agency” Tanya Porter explains. Many of her colleagues at other companies share this experience.

Although the path is long, none of those surveyed can do without, or wants to do without international specialists. In their eyes, the reformed Skilled Immigration Act is a step in the right direction. However, the tedious processes are not sufficient to cover even a portion of the high demands for staffing in many sectors. Unprocessed applications mean lost revenues and weaken Germany's economy. Staffing shortages in official agencies and embassies are standing in the way of professional migration for specialist workers. Further digitizing the processes could be one way to relieve personnel and accelerate the process, despite staffing shortages. This is the only way to meet Germany's mission of becoming a modern country built on immigration.