New policy to help students spread wings in Germany

CHENNAI: Germany is pulling out all stops to attract more students, scientists and researchers from India by amending its residence permits.
“The residence rules were restrictive earlier. Now they have been liberalized, making it easier for students and skilled workers to go to Germany, stay there and look for a job,” said Stefan Michael Weckbach, consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany on Tuesday.Earlier, students could do jobs for only 90 days a year after graduation. Now, the cap has been extended to 120 days after the German government passed a legislation based on a European Union directive on the entry and residence of highly skilled workers.
Germany has a sound economy but has an ageing population, said Weckbach. “We lack a young and skilled workforce,” he said. After detailed discussions, the government decided to open up the country to replenish the workforce, he said.
The changes include granting right of residence for up to six months to academics needing employment. Academicians and professionals with a salary of around 44,800 will be able to work in Germany using a Blue card. The card holders and students will be eligible for a settlement permit or indefinite right of residence after two years.
Germany, with an unemployment rate of 6.7%, needs qualified people in manufacturing, engineering and IT services, said Weckbach. But the primary target of this new legislation is Indian students.