🇩🇪 Work & skilled workers

From 20 September 2026, applicants ordinarily resident in Tajikistan must submit applications for the specified national visa categories through the Auslandsportal. The applicant uploads the application and supporting documents online, after which the embassy conducts a preliminary review. Once that preliminary review is completed, the applicant receives a notification containing a link through which they can independently arrange an appointment at the embassy. The in-person appointment remains part of the process. Applicants must bring the requested original documents and provide their biometric data, including fingerprints, at the embassy. The online procedure therefore replaces the previous waiting-list entry process rather than eliminating the need for an embassy visit altogether. The embassy also states that registration on either the appointment waiting list or the Auslandsportal does not itself constitute a legally effective visa application; the application becomes legally effective once the preliminary review of the uploaded application has been completed.

Germany has ordered the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn, terminated the lease for the Russian House in Berlin, and will propose new listings of Russian individuals within the European Union in the context of hybrid attacks. Immigration controls for Russian nationals will be tightened, and pressure on Russia's 'shadow fleet' will be stepped up. The Federal Government will also continue its support for Ukraine and strengthen Germany's defence capabilities.

The new law expands the Ausländerzentralregister (AZR) into a broader digital information and data-exchange system for migration administration. It allows biometric data collected for electronic residence titles to be retained and reused for later applications, stores documents from national visa procedures in the AZR, expands the types of identity information that can be recorded where a person's identity is unclear, and strengthens the automatic exchange of information between immigration authorities and other public bodies. The reform also introduces more systematic criminal-proceedings notifications. Information that prosecutors and courts are required to communicate to immigration authorities can be recorded centrally in the AZR, with the responsible immigration authority receiving an automatic notification. Information relevant to certain restrictions on benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act can also be exchanged through the AZR. The changes are being introduced in stages. The main provisions entered into force on 29 July 2026. Further provisions take effect on 1 November 2026, including additional rules on data storage and exchange; 1 May 2027, when further digital data-exchange provisions become applicable; 1 November 2027, when additional AZR and data-sharing provisions take effect; 1 May 2028, when further provisions concerning digital migration administration become applicable; and 1 May 2030, when the final scheduled provisions enter into force. The provisions concerning the storage and reuse of biometric data in the AZR are additionally dependent on the necessary technical infrastructure being available.

The Federal Government can determine safe countries of origin for international protection via a simple statutory instrument without the consent of the Bundestag and Bundesrat. This simplifies the procedure and reduces bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, the mandatory appointment of legal counsel in proceedings concerning detention pending deportation (Abschiebehaft) and pre-deportation detention (Ausreisegewahrsam) is abolished. Furthermore, naturalisation is to be excluded for ten years if it has been irrevocably revoked or if false information was provided through malice, threats, or bribery during the naturalisation procedure.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is offering a dual degree programme in Administrative Informatics, starting either on 1 March 2027 or 1 September 2027. This three-year programme includes 12 months of practical experience within the BAMF's IT department. Successful candidates will be appointed as civil servants and will receive a gross salary of over €1,744.22.

The Migration Counseling for Adult Immigrants (MBE) programme has undergone comprehensive reform processes aimed at sharpening its profile and clarifying its framework conditions. The tasks of the counselling centres are now more clearly defined to improve connections with other counselling programmes and facilitate seamless transitions to local services, such as job centres. A key objective is to reach individuals in the first three years after their arrival in Germany to ensure quick connection to regular services. Personal conversation remains the most important success factor, despite considerations of digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence for organizational relief and information provision.

The new Common European Asylum System (CEAS) introduces significant changes to asylum and residence law processes. Key updates include: a permanent, binding solidarity mechanism for Member States under migratory pressure; reformed Dublin procedure rules to facilitate transfers and reduce irregular secondary migration, allowing transfers for longer periods; mandatory screening for all persons entering the EU unlawfully, including identity checks, biometric data collection, and health and security controls; and new tasks for the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) such as Official Free Legal Advice (auRA), a two-stage age determination procedure for minors, and mandatory audio recording of hearings. Procedural timeframes are set at a maximum of six months for regular asylum procedures, three months for accelerated examination procedures, and twelve weeks for asylum border procedures, followed by a twelve-week return border procedure if an application is rejected.

The Erstorientierungskurse (EOK) will be significantly expanded by approximately 60% by 2029, with funding provided by the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). For the 2026 fiscal year, 23 million Euros are available, with a total of 134 million Euros allocated until June 2029. Full Integration Courses are being refocused toward people expected to stay in Germany permanently, while asylum seekers without a secure residence prospect are directed toward EOKs. From 1 June 2026, voluntary participation in Integration Courses reopened on a limited, quota-based basis, especially for: Ukrainian refugees EU citizens Asylum seekers and people with certain forms of temporary tolerated status generally remain outside the regular voluntary Integration Course pathway and are instead directed toward EOKs.

The 'Sprachkurse Deutsch 4U' programme has expanded to 83 cooperating providers, offers 320 courses, and provides funding of 20,000 Euros per individual measure. Funding for accompanying childcare has been significantly increased. The total funding volume is approximately 40 million Euros, with 36 million Euros from the EU's AMIF and four million Euros from the state. The funding period extends until the end of February 2028.

Wegweiserkurse will be offered in a total of 13 federal states. The preparation of cultural mediators and other quality assurance tasks will be undertaken by the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V.). The project is financially supported by the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and co-financed by the federal government and the states.

The reform of the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) has fundamentally unified the European asylum system. Due to this reform, the definition of pending asylum procedures now includes cases where the transfer under the Dublin procedure was unsuccessful and Germany became responsible for deciding the asylum application, even if this responsibility transfer occurred before 12 June 2026. The definition of subsequent applications has been expanded to include 'transnational' subsequent applications and 'further information' (weitere Angabe), in addition to 'national' subsequent applications.

The Chancenkarte points table now assigns a higher value to German language ability and recent professional experience. Opportunity Card holders are explicitly allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while engaged in their search for qualified employment.

Germany now provides a centralised digital platform for many national-visa applications. Applicants can use the Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) to: 1. Register online Applicants create a secure account and access the relevant visa application. 2. Complete the application digitally Applicants enter their personal information and details concerning their intended stay. 3. Upload documents Supporting documentation can be uploaded electronically through the portal. 4. Receive a preliminary check The application is digitally reviewed for completeness before the applicant proceeds to the in-person stage. If information or documents are missing, applicants can correct the problem online. 5. Schedule the appointment Once the application is sufficiently prepared, applicants can use the portal to schedule an appointment at the responsible German mission or relevant external service provider. 6. Attend the in-person appointment The digital system does not eliminate the physical appointment. Where required, applicants must still: Provide fingerprints. Have a photograph taken. Present original documents. Pay the visa fee. 7. Track the application Applicants can monitor the status of their application through their online account and receive information about subsequent steps.

Revised figures for the Chancenkarte points test, the minimum secured-livelihood amount and the EU Blue Card salary bands took effect for the 2026 calendar year.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.