Fragomen Global Mobility Forum 2025: Important impulses for labor migration and business practice

On November 6, 2025, leading experts from business, administration, and international migration met in Frankfurt for this year's Fragomen Global Mobility Forum . The event at the Fraport Conference Center offered a comprehensive overview of current developments in global mobility , labor migration, and the increasing digitalization of border and visa procedures. The range of invited speakers was particularly impressive, including Lukas Gehrke , Head of the IOM Office in Brussels; Kathrin Janson , General Counsel at Siemens Energy; and a representative from the European Labour Authority . Together with the hosts, Dr. Axel Boysen, Nima Sarvari, and Marius Tollenaere, they discussed key trends, challenges, and reform projects.

Compliance, skilled worker immigration and new developments in travel law

A key focus of the forum was how companies can identify and manage immigration compliance risks early on. Given the increasing complexity of residency and work permit law, it became clear that organizational structures, internal standards, and regular audits are more important than ever.

Furthermore, the Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) 2.0 was a focus. From a business perspective, it is already becoming clear that while many of the reforms bring simplifications, they also create new uncertainties – particularly in the interaction between foreign missions, the Federal Employment Agency, and immigration authorities.

Another agenda item focused on the future of business travel . The upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) and the ongoing digitalization of the EU's external borders will fundamentally change business travel programs. Companies must adapt their internal processes to avoid errors during short trips and minimize friction.

Recruitment of skilled workers and AI in global mobility practice

The breakout sessions on legally compliant recruitment of international specialists were particularly practical. Typical obstacles – from the recognition of foreign qualifications to the acceleration of bureaucratic processes – were analyzed. At the same time, experts demonstrated the opportunities offered by recent legislative changes.

The discussion about the use of artificial intelligence in global mobility programs was also interesting. While AI-supported tools have the potential to significantly simplify visa processes, document management, and compliance audits, the legal and ethical limitations were also highlighted.

A forum for exchange and networking

In addition to the informative presentations, the Global Mobility Forum offered extensive networking opportunities. Professionals from companies, government agencies, and international organizations took the opportunity to exchange best practices and discuss current challenges.

The forum impressively confirmed how dynamic the field of global mobility currently is – and how important the ongoing dialogue between businesses, migration experts, and government agencies remains. For employers looking to attract international professionals to Germany, the discussions offered valuable insights into the practices of tomorrow.