German Start-Ups Advocate for Eased Visa Rules and Faster Processing for International Workers

The German Start-Up Association has urged the government to streamline the administrative processes for foreign professionals seeking employment in Germany.

The call focuses on lifting visa restrictions and reducing the time it takes to process applications, which are often cited as significant obstacles by international workers aiming to relocate to the country.

“When it comes to issuing visas, [the German system] must be better digitised, faster and less complicated,” said Magdalena Oehl, a representative of the Start-Up Association.

The German economy, the largest and strongest in Europe and sixth globally, heavily relies on foreign labor. Experts estimate that Germany needs up to 288,000 migrant workers annually to sustain its economic growth.

Start-Ups Express Frustration with Current Policies

Many German start-up companies are dissatisfied with the current framework for hiring international talent. According to the German Start-Up Monitor 2024, which surveyed 1,859 start-ups, only 17% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the rules governing international hiring, highlighting a need for more significant improvements.

This dissatisfaction could harm Germany’s reputation as a destination for foreign professionals. Critics suggest the country risks being perceived as unwelcoming. Some migrants living in Germany have reported encountering racism, further compounding these challenges.

One Syrian refugee, who has resided in Germany since 2016, shared his experience of feeling unwelcome despite earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the country. He now plans to work as an IT specialist in Switzerland instead.

“I gave my very best here in order to be considered an equal, but I felt discrimination and rejection. I want to be treated as an equal. But I’m not going to beg for it,” he stated.

Government Efforts to Attract Foreign Talent

The German government, under the coalition of SPD-FDP-Greens, has introduced measures to make the country more appealing to international workers. Over the past three years, initiatives such as the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) have aimed to simplify the integration of foreign professionals into the German labor market.

The Chancenkarte has minimal requirements, including basic German or intermediate English language skills, a recognized qualification, and proof of financial stability. In addition, Germany has signed agreements to recruit skilled workers from India, aiming to benefit both Indian professionals and the German economy.

Despite these initiatives, the German Start-Up Association stresses the need for further reforms to position the country as a global hub for talent, particularly by addressing the administrative hurdles and processing delays that deter foreign professionals. 

By fLEXI tEAM