Expanded regulations have also come into force, allowing twice as many citizens of Western Balkan countries to go to Germany much more easily for an indefinite period.

New rules related to visas for qualified workers from countries outside the European Union have come into force in Germany, allowing entry into that country and job searching for up to one year, provided certain criteria are met.

Another element of the rules coming into force in Germany is the expansion of regulations for citizens of Western Balkan countries, the German Ministry of the Interior announced, as reported by Tanjug.

According to this rule, workers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo can go much more easily to Germany for an indefinite period, up to 50,000 of them annually, which is twice as many as before, it is stated on the Ministry's website.

‘Opportunity Card’

The new rules, known as the “Opportunity Card” for job searching, apply to those with at least two years of vocational training or a university degree recognized in the country where the qualification was obtained. Knowledge of German or English is also required.

When the card is approved, the applicant can enter Germany and look for a job for up to one year, which means they no longer have to submit a contract with a German company before being allowed to enter Germany to work.

As stated, the new rules were introduced with the aim of reducing bureaucracy and shortening the procedure, and they are part of a comprehensive law aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified labor in Germany.

Source: Aljazeera Balkans