On 18 November 2023, the first stage of the new Skilled Immigration Act entered into force. By significantly increasing flexibility for qualified skilled workers and introducing more favourable conditions for university graduates with the EU Blue Card, it laid the foundation for making Germany a more attractive destination for professionals from abroad. As a second step, immigration by skilled workers based on their professional experience was made possible for the first time. In June 2024, the introduction of the opportunity card as a new option for coming to Germany to look for work completed this extensive reform of the labour migration system.

These new provisions have met with a positive response. According to preliminary figures, some 200,000 visas for the purpose of gainful employment were issued in the first year. This represents an increase of more than 10 per cent over the previous year (177,578). One particularly welcome development is the high level of interest that who are studying in Germany have shown in starting vocational training or having their foreign qualifications recognised. In this area, the number of visas issued went up by 20% for students from outside the EU, by two thirds for trainees and by almost 50% for measures to have foreign professional qualifications recognised. The arrival of these future skilled workers provides for a long-term potential labour force.

Federal Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser said: "We are making sure that we can attract the workers and skilled workers our economy has urgently needed for years. This is vital for our country’s future. The numbers show the impact of the changes we have made. Skilled workers can now come to Germany and take up employment here more quickly. Talented young people can more easily train and study in Germany. And the opportunity card makes it quicker and easier for people with experience and potential to find a suitable job and get started. We have eliminated bureaucratic obstacles. Our task now is to promote our modern country and to make processes here more digital and quicker."

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: "Too few childcare places, long waits at the doctor’s office, and mechanics and carpenters with no availability for weeks at a time – the list goes on.  Every year we are short of 400,000 great minds and even more hands to make Germany strong as a modern and attractive country of immigration.  This is slowing down our economy, which is dependent on our ability to attract urgently needed skilled workers from around the world. With the Skilled Immigration Act we have created the most modern immigration law in Europe, while also finally overhauling the visa procedure, updating the relevant processes and making them welcoming and reliable. As part of these efforts, the Federal Foreign Office has brought together visa processing and expertise for skilled workers at our Federal Agency for Foreign Affairs in Brandenburg an der Havel, the biggest visa office for skilled workers in Germany. And we are making rapid progress with digitalisation every day. By finally enabling online applications, cutting out long waits for appointments and postal deliveries, and making participation processes more efficient, we are not only boosting Germany’s chances in the international competition for the best minds but also securing our country’s role as a hub for business."

Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil said: "Our economy needs skilled workers. That is why we have modernised our immigration law and removed bureaucratic obstacles. We've created new pathways for trainees and people who've completed their vocational training to take up jobs at our companies, which are desperately seeking bright people who are willing to work hard. The new law is having an impact, with both visa issuance and advising abroad at record levels. We will continue along this path because highly qualified skilled workers move our country forward."

These numbers send a strong message, especially in view of the current challenging economic climate. The German economy continues to need well-qualified workers to balance out the impact of demographic trends on the labour force. In the first quarter of 2024, some 1.34 million jobs were unfilled. In addition to the potential that is already here, which can be better harnessed through more initial and advanced training and greater labour market participation by women and older workers, Germany continues to need skilled workers from abroad.

In the past five years, the number of people in employment subject to social insurance contributions has increased by 1.6 million (from December 2018 to December 2023). Non-citizen residents, including those from both inside and outside the EU, account for 89% of this increase (1.45 million). Non-citizens from outside the EU account for more than half of the total increase (995,000). For the period from December 2022 to December 2023, the number of people in employment subject to social insurance contributions would have decreased by 80,000 were it not for the increase of 290,000 among non-citizens. This shows that immigration by skilled workers makes a major contribution to meeting the needs of the German economy and thereby also to ensuring prosperity.

But a good legal framework alone is not enough to make sure that Germany remains attractive as a destination for immigration: we also need a welcoming culture. This is a task for the whole of society. And this is why speeding up procedures remains a top priority for the Federal Government. Along with important steps to streamline procedures, this includes consistent use of digital technology throughout the whole immigration process so that the legal requirements for immigration can be checked as efficiently as possible. Since 2023, it has been possible in some locations to apply digitally for work visas. This option is currently available at more than half of all visa offices and will be expanded worldwide in early 2025. The steady expansion of centralised visa processing at the Federal Agency for Foreign Affairs has also created additional capacity, which accounts for the majority of the improved performance in visa procedures. The Federal Employment Agency has also shifted to digital processes.