Germany's New Immigration Law (DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW)

• Expansion of the definition of qualified professionals, making it easier for skilled individuals to access the German labor market.
• Introduction of the 'Opportunity Card', based on a points system for individuals with potential.
• Additional provisions for IT specialists, recognizing the importance of digital skills in the economy.
• Simplification of the immigration process for nationals from the Western Balkan states.
• Provisions for family reunification, including residence permits for parents and parents-in-law.
• A path for asylum seekers to transition into skilled worker status.

In light of the persistent demand for skilled labor, the new immigration law in Germany, known as the Skilled Immigration Act, has undergone crucial updates to attract and retain international talent.

Implemented in June 2023, these reforms address the bureaucratic hurdles, expand the definition of qualified professionals, and introduce innovative pathways for skilled immigrants.

Whether you’re an IT specialist, a seasoned professional, or someone with promising potential, this article is a must-read to understand the life-changing opportunities and the streamlined process the updated law offers.

Express Entry: Canada's New Permanent Residents Process For skilled Workers

Canada has launched a new process to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in priority jobs as permanent residents.

New Express Entry Categories

The first-ever category-based selection for Express Entry was just announced today. Category-based selections will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply (ITAs) to prospective applications with specific skills, training or language abilities. This will better allow for the selection of applicants with the most in-demand skills to be chosen to receive permanent residence.

This year, the focus will be on Express Entry Candidates who have a strong French-language proficiency or experience in one of the following fields:

Why UK is Banning International Students from Bringing Family Members (DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW)

• The UK government will prevent international students from bringing dependants with them beginning January 2024 – unless students are in postgraduate programmes with a research focus
• The move is intended to help curb net migration
• The Graduate Route will not be affected in new immigration restrictions – eligible students will still be allowed 2-3 years to remain in the UK under this route
• Students will not be permitted to switch to the Skilled Worker Route until they complete their programme

Immigration is at an all-time high in the UK, and the government wants to tighten up the profile of migrants who come to the country and bring down the net migration total.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

"The UK is a top destination for the brightest students to learn at some of the world’s best universities. But we have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of student dependents being brought into the country with visas.

It is time for us to tighten up this route to ensure we can cut migration numbers and meet the government’s pledge to the British people to cut net migration. This is the fair thing to do to allow us to better protect our public services, while supporting the economy by allowing the students who contribute the most to keep coming here."

US Embassy resumes No-Interview 'Dropbox' Visa Renewal in Nigeria

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has lifted the restriction on no-interview visa renewal popularly called dropbox for Nigerians renewing their visas after three years.

Applicants must be applying to renew visa in the same classification as their expired visa.

The Embassy press release states:

How To Study in Canada Without IELTS & Top Universities in Canada That Do Not Require IELTS

The IELTS is a standardized and widely recognized English language assessment test for international education and global migration. It evaluates the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers, who wish to study in or migrate to countries, where English is the language of communication.

IELTS is one of the most trusted English language tests across the globe with more than 10,000 organizations recognizing it internationally. The IELTS certification is recognized by the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and 140 more countries across the globe. The certification is accepted by academic institutions, companies, professional bodies and government organizations.

Even though IELTS boosts chances of getting an international university, it is a costly exam and it takes away time and energy for prospective students. 

Respite for International Students in United States - Trump administration rescinds rule on foreign students

Facing eight federal lawsuits and opposition from hundreds of universities, the Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded a rule that would have required international students to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was announced at the start of a hearing in a federal lawsuit in Boston brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said federal immigration authorities agreed to pull the July 6 directive and “return to the status quo.”

A lawyer representing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said only that the judge’s characterization was correct.

Traveling During the Coronavirus Outbreak; All You Need to Know

Since reports of the coronavirus surfaced in late December, over 550,000 people have been infected and over 22,000 have died around the world. As the virus continues to have a global impact.

Here is everything you need to know about traveling right now.

What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, within the Hubei province of China. WHO announced on Feb. 12 that the official name for the specific strain of coronavirus is COVID-19.

On March 11, WHO tweeted that they have officially characterized coronavirus as "a pandemic."

Germany's Skilled Labour Immigration

• The German parliament passed the law on the immigration of skilled workers on 7 June 2019
• The new law will enter into force on 1 March 2020
• Both academics with a university degree and workers with qualified professional training recognized in Germany are considered a specialists
• Improved possibilities for foreign students in Germany to change their residence status
• Permanent settlement permit for those who have completed a vocational training course in Germany 
• If you do not have an employment contract but can prove you have qualified professional training, you will receive a residence permit for six months in order to find a job
• Main professions sought for are: doctors, physiotherapists and nurses, IT specialists, engineers and craftsmen in the construction industry, experts in aerospace, mechatronics, electrical engineering, energy technology and other STEM professions (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology).
• They can enter the country without training - provided they can prove that they have been working in the business for several years.

The Skilled Immigration Act, is a new law which expands the possibilities for qualified professionals to travel to work in Germany. The new regulations will enters into force on 1 March 2020. In future, it will be easier for skilled workers with vocational, non-academic training from non-EU countries to migrate to Germany in order to work. The current conditions for qualified professionals with university degrees will remain in place, with some relaxations of the rules.

Germany Immigration language skills requirement

Learning the German language is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for your life in Germany. After all, German is spoken in most companies. Even if you don't need to prove your knowledge of German for your job, it will look good on your CV and improves your chances as you apply. Prospective employers will know that you are committed and have made an effort to learn German. Depending on your future plans, you can partake in specialised language courses in your home country or in Germany – it might even be mandatory.

• Work in the nursing and healthcare sector: If you intend to work as a nursing professional or a doctor in Germany, you will need to have your foreign professional qualifications recognised. In addition, you will need to prove your knowledge of German with a certificate from a recognised language centre, such as the Goethe-Institut or a telc-certified institute. The required level of proficiency may vary between B1 or B2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) depending on the different German states.

Foreign qualifications recognition in Germany

In order to work in Germany, it is helpful to have your foreign qualifications recognised. In somes cases, it is even mandatory. It really depends on your profession:

•  Who needs recognition? In Germany, certain professions are "regulated”. Germans and foreign nationals may only work in these professions if they have a very precise qualification. This applies to professions such as doctors and lawyers. It also applies to different masters of manual trades if they work as independent contractors. If you want to work in one of these regulated professions, you need to have your professional qualification recognised in Germany. On the website “Reglementierte Berufe Datenbank” you find a list which contains all the regulated professions in Germany.