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M

VISAGUARD Glossary: Letter M

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Make it in Germany

Make-it-in-germany.de is an online information platform established by the German Federal Government. The site provides reliable information on many topics related to skilled immigration and employment in Germany.

Related legal source: make-it-in-germany.de

Related VISAGUARD article: Authorities & Public Resources Migration


Shortage occupation

A shortage occupation (also known as a bottleneck occupation) refers to an occupation in which there is a shortage of skilled workers. The term is not legally defined, but is used in various labor migration contexts. STEM subjects (especially IT specialists) are generally shortage occupations, which is why simplified migration into these areas is possible.

Related legal source: among others Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: including EU Blue Card

mass dismissal

A mass layoff is the simultaneous termination of many employees by an employer. A mass layoff must be properly reported through a mass layoff notice.

Related legal source: Section 17 KSchG

Related VISAGUARD article: Protection against dismissal for foreigners


Mass Influx Directive (Directive 2001/55/EC)

The Mass Influx Directive (EU Directive 2001/55/EC) is a European directive that ensures the granting of temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons. The directive first gained practical significance in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and the subsequent reception of large parts of the Ukrainian population into the EU, and specifically into Germany (see Section 24 of the Residence Act ).

Related legal source: Article 1 et seq. of EU Directive 2001/55/EC

Related VISAGUARD article: Migration from Ukraine

Material limitation period

If an employee wishes to assert that a dismissal is socially unjustified or legally invalid for other reasons, they must file a lawsuit with the labor court within three weeks of receiving the written notice of termination, seeking a declaration that the employment relationship has not been terminated by the termination ( Section 4 of the Dismissal Protection Act ). If the legal invalidity of a dismissal is not asserted in a timely manner (Section 4, Sentence 1, Sections 5 and 6), the dismissal is deemed to be legally valid from the outset. This is called the substantive limitation period.

Related legal source: Section 7 KSchG

Related VISAGUARD article: Protection against dismissal for foreigners


Medical Visa

A medical visa is a D-type visa issued for the purpose of medical treatment in Germany. Hospitals in Berlin, in particular, are increasingly recruiting patients from abroad (e.g., from Saudi Arabia), who then enter Germany with the medical visa.

Related legal basis: Section 7 paragraph 1 sentence 3 Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: Applying for a medical visa for Germany

Dual nationality

Multiple nationality exists when a person holds the citizenship of two or more countries. Until the reform of the Nationality Act, multiple nationality was only possible in exceptional cases. However, as of June 27, 2024, multiple nationality no longer constitutes an obstacle to naturalization (see Nationality Law (StARModG) ).

Related legal source: Section 12c StAG (old version)

Related VISAGUARD article: Requirements for naturalization

Championship title

The master craftsman title is a mark of quality for managers in the skilled trades. Permission to use the master craftsman title can be obtained by passing the master craftsman examination. The master craftsman examination determines whether the candidate is competent to practice a licensed trade with mastery, independently manage it, and properly train apprentices.

Related legal source: Section 45 para. 2 HwO

Related VISAGUARD article: Guide to applying for a student visa

Registration certificate

Upon request, the registration authority will issue the person concerned a written or electronic registration certificate. The registration certificate contains the following information: surname, first name (including the common first name), doctoral degree, date of birth, and current addresses, categorized by primary and secondary residence. To issue the registration certificate, the person required to register must provide their surname, first name, date of birth, and the address of their current primary or sole residence.

Related legal source: Section 18 BMG

Related VISAGUARD article: Living space for residence permit holders

Reporting obligation

The registration obligation is a legal obligation to register the move into a new apartment with the responsible registration authority within two weeks (see Section 17 BMG ).

Related legal source: Section 17 BMG

Related VISAGUARD article: Living space for residence permit holders


migration

Migration generally refers to the permanent or temporary relocation of the center of life of individuals or groups from one place to another. The term is primarily used in connection with the cross-border movement of people, but can also occur within a country.

Related legal source: Residence Act (AufenthG)

Related VISAGUARD article: Other VISAGUARD topics

Migration package

The Migration Package was a bundle of several legislative proposals by the Merkel government in 2019 that reformed labor migration and asylum law (including the Skilled Immigration Act). A further migration package (Migration Package I) was passed by the Scholz government in 2022. Among other things, Migration Package I introduced the right of opportunity to reside (see Section 104c of the Residence Act ).

Related legal source: Skilled Immigration Act 2019

Related VISAGUARD article: Laws in immigration law

Migration Pact

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a result of the UN intergovernmental conference held in Marrakesh (Morocco) on 10 and 11 December 2018. The compact aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of international migration and to make the conditions for migration more humane.

Related legal source: Intergovernmental Conference for the Adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, Marrakesh (Morocco), 10 and 11 December 2018 (UN General Assembly

Related VISAGUARD article: Laws in immigration law

Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG)

In Germany, every employee is entitled to receive remuneration from their employer that is at least equal to the minimum wage. This is regulated by the Minimum Wage Act.

Related legal source: §§ 1 ff. MiLoG

Related VISAGUARD article: Expat Law


STEM

MINT is a collective term for the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology. There are various degree programs and a wide variety of careers in this field. Employees qualified in MINT subjects can obtain a residence permit in Germany under simplified conditions.

Related legal source: among others Section 18g Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: including EU Blue Card

Head of Mission (WCDR)

"Head of Mission" means in the Vienna Convention

on diplomatic relations, the person designated by the sending State to act in that capacity.

Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)

Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations


Members of the Consular Mission (WCIC)

In the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, "members of the consular post" means consular officers, administrative or technical staff and members of the official domestic staff.

Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR)

Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations

Members of the Mission (WCSD)

In the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, "members of the mission" means the head of mission and the members of the mission's staff.

Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)

Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations


Members of the diplomatic staff (VCDR)

In the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, "members of the diplomatic staff" means the members of the mission's staff who are of diplomatic rank.

Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)

Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations

Members of the consular staff (VCS)

In the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, "members of the consular staff" means consular officers other than the head of the consular post, members of the administrative or technical staff and members of the service domestic staff.

Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR)

Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations

Mission staff members (VCDR)

In the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, "members of the mission's staff" means the members of the diplomatic staff, the administrative and technical staff and the domestic staff of the mission.

Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)

Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations

Notification obligation (employer)

Employers have a duty to notify the immigration authorities if they dismiss a foreigner who holds a residence permit for the purpose of pursuing gainful employment.

Related legal source: Section 4a paragraph 5 sentence 3 no. 3 Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: Section 4a Residence Act

Obligations to cooperate (foreigners)

Foreigners are obliged to immediately assert their interests and circumstances favorable to them, unless they are obvious or known, stating verifiable circumstances, and to submit the necessary evidence of their personal circumstances, as well as other required certificates and permits, to the immigration authorities . Foreigners who hold a residence permit for gainful employment must also notify the competent immigration authorities within two weeks of becoming aware that the training or employment for which the residence permit was issued has been prematurely terminated (see Section 82 (6) of the Residence Act ).

Related legal source: Section 82 para. 1 sentence 1 Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: Cooperation obligations for foreigners

Mobile ICT card

A Mobile ICT Card is a residence permit for the purpose of an intra-company transfer if the foreign national holds a residence permit issued by another Member State under Directive (EU) 2014/66 that is valid for the duration of the application process. A foreign national will be issued a Mobile ICT Card if they will be working as a manager, specialist, or trainee, the intra-company transfer lasts more than 90 days, and they present an employment contract valid for the duration of the transfer and, if necessary, a letter of secondment.

Related legal source: Section 19b Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: Apply for an ICT card

Mobility (short-term)

Short-term mobility refers to the possibility for holders of certain residence permits to stay in Germany for a short period of time (usually up to 90 days) (see, for example, Short-term mobility for holders of an EU Blue Card (Section 18h of the Residence Act ) and Short-term mobility for researchers ( Section 18e of the Residence Act )).

Related legal source: § 18h Residence Act , § 18e Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: EU Blue Card , ICT Card

Mobility (Long-term)

Long-term mobility refers to the possibility for holders of certain residence permits to stay in Germany for a longer period of time (usually more than 90 days) (see, for example, Long-term mobility for holders of an EU Blue Card ( Section 18i of the Residence Act ).

Related legal source: § 18h Residence Act , § 18e Residence Act

Related VISAGUARD article: EU Blue Card , ICT Card

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