Germany is the second most popular migration destination in the world,after the United States on January 2005,a new immigration lsaw came into effect.
The political background to this new law was that Germany,for the first time ever,acknowledged to be an”immigration country” .The practical changes to immigration procedures were relatively minor.New immigration categories,such as ”highly skilled professional”and ”scientist”were introoduced to attract valuable professionals to the German labour market.The development within German immigration law shows that immigration of skilled employees and academics has eased.While the labour market remains closed for unskilled workers.
In April 2012,European Blue Card legislation was implemented in Germany,allowing highly skilled non-EU citizens easier access to work and live in Germany,subject to certain requirements.
As of 2014,one out of five Germans has at least partial roots outside of Germany.
Immigration regulations
EU CITIZENS
European Union free movement member state citizens have the right to solicit and obtain work in Germany free from discrimination on the basis of citizenship.These basic rules for freedom of movement are given in Article 39 of the Treaty on European Union.
However,citizens of Croatia are exempt from the free movement of workers principle for a transition period of no more than 7 years[ending 2020],after the country’s EU Accession in 2013.
Immigration options for non-EU cictizens
Immigration to Germany as a non-EU citizen is still limited to skilled workers [individuals with either a university or polytechnic degree or at least 3 years of training together with job experience],students and their immediate family members.Germany has 3 types of immigration titles:visas [validity of up to 90 days],[temporary]residence permits,and settlement permits [permanent] residence permits].work permits,if granted,are no longer issued independently but included within the immigration title and are available for foreigners that either fall into one of the several available permit categories[IT specialists,company trained specialist within a group of companies,managing personnel,scientists,highly skilled workers with exceptional income,e.t.c.].or can prove a public interest in the employment.The categories and all requirements are listed in the ordinance on employment.
