Make-it-in-Germany.com has cost €35.8 million to date.

The Federal Republic of Germany has a problem that can no longer be hidden behind glossy advertising campaigns. While businesses are desperately searching for talented individuals, the digital infrastructure of the immigration authorities seems to be stuck in a time loop. Recently published figures from the federal government reveal a disturbing reality: Since 2012, a total of €35.8 million has been invested in the " Make it in Germany " portal . Over €16 million alone was spent on marketing measures to attract skilled workers from India, Morocco, and Egypt. But highly qualified engineers and IT specialists who accept the invitation often encounter a wall of bureaucratic inefficiency. In our daily legal practice, we experience that the discrepancy between the colorful online world and the harsh reality in the immigration offices could hardly be greater. The urgent question arises: Are we investing millions in window dressing while the office behind it is on its knees, both in terms of personnel and technology?

The illusion of digitalization in immigration law

While the portal provides valuable initial information and compiles checklists for various residence permits, such as the EU Blue Card according to Section 18g of the German Residence Act , and some advisory services are also offered by Make-it-in-Germany, its usefulness for those affected usually ends there. For a skilled worker with a high level of education and accustomed to digital standards from other immigration countries, Germany feels like an analog open-air museum. While countries like Canada or Australia offer transactional platforms where profiles can be created, documents uploaded, and processing status tracked in real time, "Make it in Germany" remains at the stage of a mere information brochure . For highly qualified migrants, time is the most valuable resource; simply listing forms that will later have to be printed and mailed is almost off-putting to this target group.

The coordination effort for companies and SMEs is increasing.

We are particularly critical of the German government's current strategy with regard to the German economy. Global mobility managers and HR departments need reliable, streamlined processes. The discussion surrounding additional digital "work-and-stay agencies" raises concerns that we will become bogged down in a fragmentation of responsibilities. Instead of a central, functional interface, we risk a proliferation of platforms that companies will have to manage simultaneously. This will mean a massive increase in administrative burden , especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) , which will hinder rather than promote the recruitment of international talent. We advocate instead for genuine end-to-end digitalization that truly deserves the name and technologically overcomes the legal hurdles of the Residence Act.

Conclusion: Marketing is no substitute for structural reform.

In summary, while "Make it in Germany" was a necessary first step, after 14 years and almost €36 million in investment, it falls far short of the demands of the modern workplace. The German government must have the courage to move from mere presentation to genuine implementation. In 2026, a skilled worker with a master's degree expects more than just a collection of links to PDF forms. The digitalization of migration administration must not remain a marketing project but become a core task of legal practice. Only by making the entire process, from initial information to the granting of a residence permit, fully digital and transparent will Germany truly become an attractive destination for highly qualified individuals.

How Visaguard can support you

As a specialized law firm, we fill the gap left by government portals like "Make it in Germany." While the official portal only provides general information, we offer you and your future employees comprehensive legal support and genuine process tracking . We guide you confidently through the intricacies of the German Residence Act, handle communication with the authorities, and ensure that initial digital contact leads to actual employment. Don't rely solely on government checklists—count on legally sound expertise and efficient solutions for your global mobility.