News about the “Work-and-Stay Agency” by Bärbel Bas (SPD)

Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has launched an initiative that is intended to fundamentally change the German labour market: With the planned “Work and Stay Agency”, she wants to speed up the process of skilled immigration centralize, digitize, and accelerate . The goal is to make the procedures simpler and more transparent for both foreign skilled workers and German employers . Currently, applicants have to interact with an average of seven different authorities to obtain a visa and the necessary work permit – a process that, in practice, often leads to frustration and significant delays.

A digital one-stop system for immigration and employment

In the future, a central digital platform will be created through which foreign skilled workers can complete all relevant steps online – from application to notification . Employers will be involved in the process and be able to actively support their future employees. The project thus follows the so-called "one-stop government" principle : all necessary administrative processes will be bundled and offered from a single source. Bärbel Bas speaks of a "historic step towards reducing bureaucracy" that should make Germany more attractive in the international competition for talent. In practice, this means: less paperwork, shorter waiting times, and easier access to the German labor market.

What this means for skilled workers and employers

The concept offers significant advantages for international skilled workers. Instead of struggling through a complex network of immigration authorities, employment agencies, and consulates, they could submit their documents directly via a unified online portal and track their processing status in real time. Employers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, also benefit: They have to invest less time and resources in bureaucratic procedures and can respond more quickly to the actual need for workers. The new system could make a decisive difference, especially in sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, and IT, where vacancies are particularly difficult to fill.

Conclusion: A step towards modern immigration administration

With the planned "Work and Stay Agency," the German government is sending a clear signal: Germany intends to catch up in the global competition for skilled workers. The decisive factor will be whether it succeeds in rapidly developing the digital infrastructure and effectively networking the various administrative bodies. If the project is successfully implemented, it could not only significantly simplify immigration for qualified workers but also sustainably change legal advisory practices in this area—and secure Germany a decisive locational advantage.