German Immigration News

On December 9, 2025, the legal framework for the entry of people who have fled the war in Ukraine was once again adjusted . With this eighth extension of the so-called Ukraine Transitional Residence Ordinance, the legislature is responding to the changed situation within the European Union. While the ordinance continues to guarantee humanitarian access to Germany, it contains a crucial new provision that is particularly important for those who have already found refuge in

Imagine yourself standing in the arrivals hall of a European hub after a long flight, your clients' or family's passports at the ready – but the familiar routine is gone. A simple wave through, a fleeting glance from the border official is no longer enough. Instead, you look into a camera, your fingerprints are digitized, and in the background, a high-performance system in Brussels compares your data in milliseconds. What sounds like science fiction has been a harsh reality

Imagine your new specialist from abroad has just received their visa , the apartment search was successful, and their first day of work is just around the corner. Everything seems perfectly prepared. But while you focus on onboarding, a new legal requirement lurks in German immigration law that could catch many companies off guard. Anyone recruiting third-country nationals from January 1, 2026, onwards must fulfill a specific information obligation that goes beyond simp

The year 2025 was particularly dynamic for VISAGUARD and the entire migration landscape in Germany . Numerous new developments, political decisions, and legal debates shaped the field. On a professional level, the focus was primarily on the abolition of so-called "turbo naturalization" (including corresponding "last-minute cases") and the heated discussions surrounding the "Work and Stay Agency" (WSA) . These debates illustrate how sensitive and complex the issue of nat

From 2026, an important innovation will come into force in Germany: The EU Pay Transparency Directive requires employers to disclose salary ranges and provide clear information on remuneration. For applicants, this means: Even before or at the latest during the application process, they have the right to information about the intended salary range for an advertised position. Existing employees will also be able to demand transparent information about their pay in the

The recognition of esports as a non-profit activity marks a turning point in legal policy with far-reaching consequences beyond tax and association law. This step also opens up new lines of argument and opportunities in immigration law . From a legal perspective, this development is of considerable practical importance, particularly for clubs, associations, foreign players, coaches, analysts, and officials. For VISAGUARD, this raises the question of how the new non-prof

Effective October 1, 2025, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has once again amended its technical guidelines on the Temporary Employment Act (AÜG) – with significant consequences for companies that employ international skilled workers . The BA is retracting its broad interpretation of the licensing requirement, which was only introduced in 2024, and now stipulates that the AÜG no longer applies if the assigned skilled worker works exclusively remotely from abroad .

The German government has decided to further tighten citizenship laws : Anyone who deceives during the naturalization process or intentionally provides incomplete information will be barred from becoming a German citizen again for up to ten years (see also our article on the revocation of citizenship in cases of deception ). This measure is a response to the increasing number of cases of forged language certificates that have been uncovered in several federal states

With the new document collection box at the Reinickendorf Citizens' Office, Berlin is sending a clear signal for administrative modernization . For the first time, identity cards and passports can be collected without an appointment and regardless of opening hours. This creates a service that offers considerable potential relief , especially given the strained situation at Berlin's immigration offices . Use of the document box for immigration authorities Especially in t

The Federal Employment Agency has launched a new online portal that provides skilled foreign workers with structured access to the German labor market while still in their home countries. This digital service marks another step in the Federal Government's overall digitalization strategy , which aims to facilitate the immigration of qualified workers and alleviate the existing labor shortage in key sectors (see also the discussion on the " Work and Stay Agency "). The

A bumpy start for the new entry/exit system The European Entry/Exit System (EES) , which collects biometric data from all third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area, is already causing significant problems in its current testing phase . Although full and mandatory implementation is still planned, numerous airports are already using the system – with clearly noticeable consequences for travelers. Chaotic scenes at European airports Reports from Alicante, Malaga, G

The German Federal Government is further advancing the digitalization of migration administration. At the Cabinet meeting on November 5, 2025, a policy paper outlining key points for the initiative "Introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Visa Procedures and Migration Administration" was presented. Although the full document has not yet been published by either the Federal Ministry of the Interior or the Federal Foreign Office, it is already becoming clear that the

With the publication of the official policy paper on the "Work and Stay" agency (WSA), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) has initiated the next phase of skilled worker immigration . The planned agency aims to simplify labor migration procedures, consolidate key responsibilities, and better support employers in recruiting and integrating international skilled workers. However, the paper also reveals that the federal government plans a significant expa

The European Union is further tightening visa regulations for Russian citizens . Following the tightening of border controls for Russian diplomats last month, the new rules now apply to all Russian citizens – with only a few exceptions. The EU's aim is to reduce security risks associated with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. No more multiple-entry visas The key point of the new regulation: Schengen visas allowing multiple entries will generally no longer be i

The debate surrounding German citizenship has flared up again. After the coalition government passed a comprehensive reform of citizenship law in 2024, the CDU and CSU now want to reverse key aspects of this reform – particularly the general allowance of dual citizenship . The trigger is the current "cityscape" debate, which revolves around issues of integration, social identity, and belonging. Union politicians see the extensive liberalization of citizenship law as a misgu

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has announced a significant relaxation of the work bans for asylum seekers in Germany ...

As of June 1, 2025, a new requirement for naturalization has been in effect in Brandenburg : Anyone wishing to apply for German...

From 2026, the salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card are to rise by around five percent . This is due to the planned adjustment of...

Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has launched an initiative that is intended to fundamentally change the German labour market:...

It sounded like a great idea: With the new " Work and Stay Agency, " the German government wants to finally bring order to the chaos of...