(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has formally submitted key recommendations concerning the establishment of a Work-and-Stay Agency for interministerial review. The proposed institution is designed to significantly accelerate, modernize, and simplify the immigration process for qualified professionals seeking employment in Germany. By centralizing procedures and leveraging digital infrastructure, the agency aims to enhance administrative efficiency and reduce systemic delays.
According to media reports, Bas emphasized that the digital agency is expected to dismantle existing bureaucratic barriers that currently hinder access to the German labor market. Bas further highlighted the envisioned creation of a unified digital interface through which all necessary formalities could be processed. Such a centralized system would not only facilitate smoother entry for foreign specialists but also improve the responsiveness of employers in filling vacant positions.
Despite previous reforms introduced by the traffic light coalition to liberalize immigration laws for skilled workers, numerous business representatives have continued to voice concerns regarding the complexity and duration of current procedures. Criticism has focused on the excessive involvement of multiple authorities and the continued reliance on paper-based applications. The proposed agency is intended to address these inefficiencies by offering a streamlined, user-friendly process for all stakeholders.
A briefing from the Federal Ministry of Labor outlines that the agency would enable skilled workers to digitally submit required documents, apply for residence permits, and receive official decisions online. Employers, including small and medium-sized enterprises, would be empowered to assist candidates throughout the application process. The ministry asserts that this approach would result in shorter processing times and improved outcomes for both employees and employers.
In conveying her recommendations, Minister Bas is fulfilling a commitment outlined in the governing coalition’s agreement. The initiative is grounded in the One-Stop-Government model, which seeks to consolidate public services within a single administrative framework, thereby enhancing accessibility, transparency, and operational coherence across government functions.
