Our Bureau
New Delhi
Germany has significantly increased its annual visa quota for skilled Indian workers from 20,000 to 90,000, a move announced during Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent visit to New Delhi. This decision aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Germany and India, focusing on economic growth, defense collaboration, and clean energy initiatives.
Chancellor Scholz emphasized that this increase signals Germany’s openness to skilled labor, stating, “The message is that Germany is open for skilled workers.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the agreement as a means to enhance economic connections, highlighting the synergy between India’s innovation and Germany’s engineering expertise.
The new visa policy will also streamline the application process by reducing bureaucracy and simplifying the recognition of Indian professional qualifications in Germany. This change is part of broader efforts to attract talent from India, which has seen a substantial rise in its workforce in Germany over recent years. Scholz noted that the number of Indians working in Germany has grown by 23,000 in just the past year.
This initiative builds on a migration agreement signed two years ago that aimed to facilitate greater mobility for professionals and students between the two nations. Modi expressed optimism about the future of this relationship, stating that the next 25 years would elevate the India-Germany strategic partnership to new heights.
As part of this initiative, Germany plans to digitize and expedite the visa application process, making it more user-friendly for applicants. As both nations continue to navigate global challenges together, this agreement marks a significant step towards enhancing their economic ties and mutual growth.
