Indian academics and qualified professionals could find it easier to avail job opportunities in Germany henceforth with the German government having launched the ‘Blue Card’ initiative with effect from August 1.
The country has also made several positive changes to the German Residence Act in order to implement European Union’s directive on highly qualified workers in addition to the Recognition Act that facilitates the recognition of foreign professional credentials.
“Today’s ideas are what make tomorrow’s technologies, products and services possible. This is why we are providing targeted funding for young academics and outstanding achievements, including measures that make it easier for specialists and scientists from abroad to come to Germany. Initiatives like our strategy for highly skilled workers, the Recognition Act and the Blue Card have been important points in setting our political course,” Federal Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan said in a statement.
The changes to the Residence Act include regulations regarding the issuance of the new EU Blue Card — a residence permit intended for highly skilled third state nationals seeking employment in Germany. The new Residence Act also offers new benefits for foreign students and recent graduates of German universities: employment restrictions during the course of studies will be increased from the previous limit of 90 full or 180 half days to 120 full or 240 half days during the year. This is likely to throw up huge opportunities for Indian professionals, especially from the information technology sector, engineers, scientists and doctors.
University graduates are now permitted 18 months (instead of the previous 12) to seek employment after the completion of their degrees in Germany, and graduates of vocational training have one year to seek appropriate employment against the previous limit of 90 days.
