Oriented on making people closer

Germany is preparing to launch a digital agency, Work-and-Stay Agentur, aimed at speeding up the arrival and employment of foreign specialists. The project is designed to reduce bureaucratic procedures and simplify the hiring process, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on Monday.

German Labor Minister Bärbel Bas stated that the new system will help remove administrative barriers that currently hinder access to the German labor market. Through a unified digital platform, foreign professionals will be able to apply for work and residence permits, while employers will be able to monitor and assist in the document submission process.

According to the Ministry of Labor, the system is expected to shorten waiting times and speed up recruitment. Despite recent reforms under the Skilled Immigration Act, German companies continue to face long visa procedures and challenges in diploma recognition.

The largest labor shortage remains in the healthcare sector, with around 50,000 open positions in elderly and patient care. There is also a significant lack of specialists in industry, construction, IT, education, and logistics. Technical professions such as electricians, welders, plumbers, and carpenters currently require about 250,000 workers.

The German government expects that the digitalization of recruitment will make the country more attractive to skilled professionals and strengthen its economy.

Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa/picture alliance