Germany Issued More Than 500,000 Work Visas Over the Past Four Years

Germany Issued More Than 500,000 Work Visas Over the Past Four Years

Key Highlights

  1. Germany approved 579,000 employment visas between 2021 and 2024.
  2. The highest number of approvals occurred in 2024, reflecting rising demand.
  3. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser highlighted a 77% rise in skilled immigration since 2021.

As one of the strongest economies in the European Union, Germany remains a major destination for international professionals. In its effort to address workforce shortages and economic needs, Germany issued 579,000 work visas to foreign nationals between 2021 and 2024.

Among these four years, 2021 saw the lowest issuance, while 2024 marked a record high in work visa approvals—emphasizing the growing reliance on international talent to support key sectors.

Breaking down the numbers:

  • 2021: 97,000 work visas
  • 2022: 152,000 work visas
  • 2023: 158,000 work visas
  • 2024: 172,000 work visas

This upward trend underscores the increasing demand for foreign labor. Compared to 2021, Germany granted 77% more employment visas in 2024, highlighting the nation's push to address skills shortages across industries.

Germany Remains Committed to Skilled Immigration

During a recent policy review, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the government's commitment to attracting qualified international talent. She praised the progress made in expanding skilled immigration and highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts to remain competitive and inclusive.

“We’ve boosted skilled immigration by 77% since 2021. Germany now invests more in integration and is more appealing to skilled and talented professionals from around the globe.”
— Nancy Faeser, Minister of Interior of Germany

She reinforced that immigration plays a vital role in ensuring Germany's long-term economic success and sustainability.

However, despite these positive trends, many foreign workers have raised concerns about Germany’s visa procedures—particularly the lengthy processing times and bureaucratic delays that often leave applicants waiting for several months.

As Germany continues to modernize its immigration systems, addressing these challenges will be key to fully realizing its potential as a top destination for international talent.

Foreign , News , Europe , Schengen News , Immigration
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