top of page
.png)
German Immigration News
Our VISAGUARD blog on immigration law in Germany: All important immigration news from the areas of law, politics, and society.
Migration researchers warn of the consequences of Germany's illegal Schengen border policy.
The German border, once a symbol of the Freedom of movement within the Schengen Area has become the focus of a heated political debate. While businesses are desperately seeking skilled workers and global mobility is becoming a crucial competitive advantage for companies, current measures at internal borders send a signal of isolation . Migration researchers like Gerald Knaus are now issuing urgent warnings: The continuation of stationary border controls and rejections not o
Isabelle Manoli
Jun 43 min read
International Recruiting: How do you write a job advertisement?
While the political arena rages over quotas and limits, the economic reality is playing out in human resources departments . The shortage of skilled workers is no longer an abstract threat, but a growth inhibitor that is putting massive pressure on Germany's economic standing. However, anyone who believes it's enough to simply translate a German job advertisement word for word underestimates the complexity of modern immigration law. In our daily practice, we observe that
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
Jun 34 min read
Ruling: Deportation by an incompetent immigration authority is unlawful
The world of global mobility often resembles a highly complex game of chess, where every move must be carefully considered. For highly qualified professionals and companies that move talent across borders, legal certainty regarding residency status is paramount. But what happens when the administration itself disregards the rules of the game? A recent ruling by the Higher Administrative Court of Lower Saxony (OVG) on April 1, 2026 ( Case No. 13 ME 47/26 ) is currently causing
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jun 24 min read
Does the 2-year rule (§ 9 BeschV / Open Work Visa) also apply to cases from the Western Balkans?
In our consulting practice at VISAGUARD, we are frequently asked whether the preferential treatment under Section 9 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV) also applies to nationals of the Western Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) . Those who have already been employed in Germany and subject to social security contributions for two years normally no longer require the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jun 22 min read
A damning indictment: The Frankfurt (Oder) Administrative Court makes no effort in handling inaction lawsuits in naturalization cases.
Those who pursue naturalization in Germany typically possess not only high qualifications and years of integration efforts, but also a deep trust in the functioning of our administration. They have paid taxes, perfected their language skills, and long since become an indispensable part of society. However, when considering the processing times at the responsible authorities, for example in the Barnim district or the city of Frankfurt (Oder) , this trust often gives way to
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jun 14 min read
First statistics on the EES published
Digitalization at the external borders of the Schengen Area has reached a new level, and the first official data already show a clear impact on global mobility. Highly qualified academics , expats, and international students traveling to Germany have faced altered procedures since the new IT system became fully operational. The EU agency eu-LISA presented the first quarterly statistics for the new Entry/Exit System (EES) on May 18, 2026. Although this data primarily reflects
Isabelle Manoli
Jun 13 min read
Student visa: Health insurance for students over 30 - What applies?
An academic career in Germany promises excellent opportunities and in-depth specialization. However, for many international students, especially those who have already gained professional experience abroad or are pursuing a second degree, the German social security system presents a bureaucratic hurdle that often coincides with their 30th birthday. Just as their studies are nearing completion or their doctoral research is gaining momentum, a letter from their health insurance
Gastautor
May 314 min read
LEA Berlin: Do Afghans need a passport for residency and naturalization?
The German migration administration is currently facing a critical test. While politicians loudly debate the recruitment of IT specialists from India or engineers from South America, the reality of corporate immigration often falters over mundane document issues. In our legal practice, we are increasingly seeing Afghan nationals encountering bureaucratic hurdles when it comes to extending their residency permits. Obtaining a residence permit or the long-awaited naturalizati
Isabelle Manoli
May 314 min read
Visa for Iran: Federal government reveals lack of planning
The global mobility of highly qualified professionals , academics, and students today resembles a worldwide competition for the best minds. For internationally operating companies, HR departments, and highly motivated young professionals, predictability and efficiency in visa issuance play a crucial role. However, anyone who has attempted to manage the process of labor migration or study abroad from Iran to Germany in recent months has encountered bureaucratic barriers and si
Isabelle Manoli
May 304 min read
New regulations for integration courses
The German labor market faces intense global competition for top talent, and timely linguistic and social orientation forms the essential foundation for successful, lasting integration. Foreign skilled workers , highly qualified academics, and expatriates coming to Germany often encounter bureaucratic hurdles that extend far beyond the actual visa application process. Therefore, the restrictive cost-cutting measures imposed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in February
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
May 304 min read
Which language certificates are recognized in Germany?
Many applicants for naturalization find that their language certificates are not recognized by the naturalization authorities – especially if they do not come from well-known testing providers such as telc , the Goethe-Institut or ÖSD . They are often even required to take an additional test with these providers. For those affected, this not only means additional work, but also costs and delays on the path to citizenship . However, legally, such a blanket exclusion of other c
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
May 292 min read
Health care reform: In the future, "partial incapacity for work" should be possible
The global job market is more dynamic than ever, and the competition for top talent knows no national borders. Highly qualified foreign specialists , international expats, and young professionals are enriching the German labor market in a sustainable way. At the same time, human resources departments and employers face the challenge of navigating the legal framework in Germany effectively. A profound change in German labor and social security law is now casting its shadow. A
Isabelle Manoli
May 295 min read
Lawyer explains: Health insurance with a mid-level job - What rules apply?
The German job market is both attractive and complex for highly qualified academics, ambitious young professionals, and international diplomats . Especially when it comes to social security, diverse lifestyles often clash with a tightly woven bureaucratic network . Anyone wanting to establish themselves in Germany, whether after graduation or as part of a secondment , quickly encounters terms like "minijob" and "midijob." While the classic minijob is often understood as a sim
Gastautor
May 283 min read
LAG Thuringia: Vacation must be granted for at least two weeks in a row.
The suitcases are packed, the flights home or to that long-awaited dream destination are booked. For international professionals , expats, and diplomats, whose families often live thousands of kilometers away, annual leave is far more than just a short break from the office. It's a rare opportunity to reconnect with home, spend quality time with loved ones, and recharge for the demanding workday back in Germany. However, in many personnel departments and HR teams, concerns ab
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
May 284 min read
Study: German language skills are important in the tight job market
The vision of a borderless, purely English-speaking working world in German metropolises like Berlin or Munich is enticing for many highly qualified expats and young professionals. Those who come to Germany as IT specialists from India or engineers from Pakistan often encounter a start-up scene where "business English" is the lingua franca. But appearances are frequently deceptive once the recruitment process moves beyond the initial coffee break. Despite the massive shortage
Isabelle Manoli
May 273 min read
UK & Germany: When do Brexit residency rights expire?
Those who remained in Germany after Brexit enjoy special protection under the withdrawal agreement. However, many are lulled into a false sense of security, believing the issued document to be a kind of lifelong guarantee. But "Brexit law" is subject to conditions that can change – especially during the first five years. The golden rule of attendance The most common reason for the expiration of residency rights is simply time. As long as someone doesn't yet possess perman
Mirko Vorreuter
May 273 min read
More naturalizations than ever before in Germany
The global competition for top talent has reached a new level, and amidst this transformation, Germany has recorded a historic high in citizenship law . Anyone observing the country's major cities and economic centers can sense the growing expectations of highly qualified international professionals , expats, and forward-thinking employers seeking long-term legal security. The recent statistical surge in the granting of German citizenship is not merely an administrative updat
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
May 264 min read
ECJ: New rules on working time during business trips
The journey to the gate in Frankfurt, the long-haul flight to Shanghai, or the train ride to headquarters in Paris – for many highly qualified professionals and internationally operating companies, these hours previously existed in a legal gray area. The common, albeit flippant, argument was that one could sleep on the plane or relax on the train, and therefore this time shouldn't be considered full working time . However, the legal framework for global mobility received a ne
Gastautor
May 264 min read
Germany ranks 4th among the most popular study destinations worldwide
The global competition for the brightest minds has long since reached a point where academic excellence and strategic migration management are inextricably intertwined. When the United Nations Cultural Organization (UNESCO) analyzes the dynamics of international education in its latest survey , it becomes clear that the flow of highly qualified talent follows precise patterns driven by location advantages and legal frameworks . One key finding stands out in particular: German
Isabelle Manoli
May 264 min read
How does the employment of foreigners in the security sector work?
The German security market is booming, but the search for qualified personnel often resembles a bureaucratic obstacle course. While private security companies are desperately seeking reliable employees for property protection, personal protection, or aviation security, a huge pool of international talent often remains untapped. Many companies are their own worst enemy – not out of malice, but due to a lack of understanding of the complex legal interplay between commercial and
Gastautor
May 253 min read
bottom of page