This is indeed good news for skilled professionals from Africa that want to migrate to Germany. Germany is planning to tackle its critical shortage of skilled labor by introducing its version of a ‘green card.’ It will supposedly make it easier for non-European Union nationals to come to find work.

The German government is introducing its own version of a “green card”, the Chancenkarte (literally “opportunity card”), in an attempt to plug its desperate labor shortage. Industry associations have been complaining for some time, and the Labor Ministry has suggested the shortfall is slowing economic growth.

The new “opportunity card,” presented by Labor Minister Hubertus Heil in the German media this week, would offer foreign nationals the chance to come to Germany to look for work even without a job offer, as long as they fulfill at least three of these four criteria:

1) A university degree or professional qualification

2) Professional experience of at least three years

3) Language skill or previous residence in Germany

4) Aged under 35 

The criteria are not unlike those used in Canada’s points system, though that uses a more complex weight system. And there will be limits and conditions, the minister from the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) minister emphasized in media interviews this week. The number of cards will be limited by the German government on a year-by-year basis, according to demand on the labor market, the minister said.

It aims to make it easier for non-EU nationals to come to find work in an attempt to plug its desperate labour shortage. Industry associations have been complaining for some time, and the Labor Ministry has suggested the shortfall is slowing economic growth. The new “opportunity card,” presented by Labor Minister Hubertus Heil, will offer foreign nationals the chance to go to Germany to look for work even without a job offer, as long as they fulfil at least three of the four criteria: The number of cards issued will be limited by the German government on a year-by-year basis, according to demand in the labour market.

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