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Germany has taken a significant step towards attracting skilled Indian professionals by announcing a substantial increase in its annual visa quota. Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that Germany plans to raise the number of visas granted to skilled Indian workers from 20,000 to 90,000, a move that signifies the growing importance of attracting talent from India to bolster Germany's workforce.
The announcement was made at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024, where both PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of this initiative. Scholz highlighted the significant presence of Indian students in German universities and the positive impact of Indian professionals on the German labor market. He also emphasized Germany's efforts to streamline visa procedures through digitization and faster processing, making it easier for skilled workers to navigate the immigration process.
However, while emphasizing openness to skilled workers, Scholz also underscored Germany's commitment to curbing irregular migration. He clarified that Germany intends to maintain control over who enters the country, ensuring that only those with legitimate claims are granted access. This balanced approach reflects the complex dynamics of immigration policy, aiming to attract skilled workers while upholding national security and managing migration flows.
The announcement goes beyond just visa quotas, as it also includes the signing of an MoU between IIT Chennai and Dresden University. This agreement paves the way for a dual degree program, further facilitating academic collaboration and knowledge exchange between India and Germany. The focus on skills development and vocational education underscores the long-term vision of fostering a strong partnership built on the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Source: Germany Visa Quota for skilled Indian professionals increases to 90,000 annually