How many skilled workers moved to Germany from non-EU countries in 2018? Where do they come from and how many are leaving? The information paper shows the most important developments:
1. The trends of recent years continue in 2018 - immigration of skilled workers is increasing slightly, but there is still potential to attract more skilled workers to Germany.
2. The total influx of EU citizens continues to slightly exceed that of non-EU nationals.
3. As in the previous year, skilled workers account for only seven percent of all immigration from non-EU countries in 2018.
4. The influx of skilled workers from non-EU countries has more than doubled since 2009, but remains at a low level.
5. India continues to be the main country of origin for skilled workers from non-EU countries, followed by the USA, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
6. Approval for the employment of non-academic professionals from non-EU continues to increase, but remains at a low level.
7. In 2017, 2,108 job search visas for highly qualified persons were issued.
8. The number of students recruited as working professionals through status changes continues to rise.
9. Germany is also attracting skilled workers through the family reunification of spouses, but the number is declining.
10. In an OECD comparison, there has been a significant increase in labour migration to Germany.
11. Every year, several thousand non-EU skilled workers emigrate from Germany.