New prospects are opening up for foreign students, graduates and researchers: Germany has made it easier for highly qualified international specialists to remain in the country. In the future, foreign students will be allowed to work for 120 rather than 90 days a year and to remain in Germany for 18 rather than 12 months after graduation in order to look for appropriate employment. ???aural:Bildanfang??????Großansicht des Bildes???The new Recognition in Germany website was recently launched by the Federal Research Minister, Professor Dr. Annette Schavan, the President of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, Manfred Schmidt (right), and the President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, Friedrich Hubert Esser. © Federal Government/Steffen Kugler???aural:Bildende???Also a permanent residence permit can now be granted after two years.

A residence permit for a period of up to six months for the purpose of finding employment will be introduced for foreign graduates. In addition, the new Blue Card will enable graduates from abroad to work in Germany for up to four years. The prerequisite is a contract of employment and a minimum annual salary of roughly 44,800 euro. In certain areas of employment in which there is especially great demand for specialists, such as natural scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT experts, the income threshold has been set at just under 35,000 euro. Holders of a Blue Card can already be granted permanent residence in Germany after two to three years. Rules will also be eased for their family members who wish to work in Germany.

Since 1 April 2012, the recognition of professional and vocational qualifications gained outside Germany has been regulated by the so-called Recognition Act. For the first time it establishes a legal entitlement to a procedure to establish whether qualifications gained abroad are equivalent to vocational qualifications gained in Germany. What is more, this applies to all, irrespective of country of origin, and within three months of the submission of the necessary documents. Online support and information for foreign specialists is provided by the Recognition in Germany website.