Can Germany become the next big destination for Indian techies?

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that his government wants to ease the path for Indian IT experts to obtain work visas in Germany.

"We want to simplify the issuing of visas. We intend to modernize the whole bureaucratic process in addition to legal modernization," Scholz said while visiting Bengaluru on Sunday."We want to simplify the issuing of visas. We intend to modernize the whole bureaucratic process in addition to legal modernization," Scholz said while visiting Bengaluru on Sunday.“I am quite sure that many will want to take advantage of the opportunities to work as skilled workers in Germany,” he said.

“We need this in all areas of employment, but of course especially when it comes to skills such as those we have seen today in the area of software and IT development,” he added.Scholz said he was “determined” to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to immigration for skilled workers, and “make it easier to come to Germany as a specialist, including with your own family.”

He added that he wants to “establish a new system that allows people to apply for a visa to Germany who still have not signed a specific job contract, but who come with a lot of talent and skills, and then find a job in Germany.” Scholz was on an official visit to India from February 25-26. He was accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation.More than half of Germany's companies are struggling to fill vacancies, according to a survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), which estimates that two million posts remain unfilled, worth nearly 100 billion euros of lost output. Although not alone in facing labour crises, Germany's language barrier makes countries like Britain, Spain, France and Portugal the liklier choices for immigrants.

These are the 5 changes Germany plans to make

1. Opportunity Card for job seekers: The draft law includes a new "opportunity card" with a points-based system that takes into account qualifications, language skills, professional experience, connection to Germany and age. With this card, obtained before arrival, individuals with potential will be allowed to stay in Germany to find a job. Unskilled workers will be allowed to enter if the Federal Employment Agency (BA) identifies an acute shortage in a sector.

One controversial issue has been the reward of points for ability in German, which lead to complaints from some associations who say English should also be rewarded as it is enough for some jobs.

2. Make the EU Blue Card more accessible: Germany wants to make the EU Blue Card more accessible for a higher number of specialists who hold a university degree.

It also wants to make itself more alluring for foreigners to come for vocational training or study and to stay on for further education or work.

3. Scrap the need for formal recognition of university degrees: Germany wants to let third country citizens move in and work in their field of expertise without having to undergo the procedures for formal recognition of their degree and professional qualification.

In Germany, the process of recognition allows job seekers to compare their existing qualifications with the closest German degree equivalent. It's an official process which is mandated by Federal law, so there isn't much room for ambiguity. And if your degree doesn't measure up, an additional study may be needed.

However, Germany mandates foreign workers to be offered a salary that is above the set threshold in order to ensure fair working conditions and pay for foreigners.

4. Let workers get professional qualifications recognised after arriving: For those who want to have their foreign professional qualification recognised in Germany, the government wants to make it possible for them to initiate the process after they have entered the country, and not before, as it currently is. The government believes that such a change will enable employers to hire foreign specialists more quickly. It will also be easier for the workers to have their qualification recognized once they begin working in qualified employment.

5. Allow short-term employment: The government also wants to let employers to hire foreigners for short-term periods to meet temporary needs, regardless of special qualification requirements. The number of workers who can be hired under this program, however, will be capped.