Germany Speeds Up Work Visa Processing for Indian Skilled Workers -Germany has significantly reduced the processing time for long-term work visas for Indian skilled workers, cutting it down from nine months to just two weeks, according to a report by Schengen News. This change comes as part of Germany's urgent efforts to address labor shortages in various sectors.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock explained that the country has an increasing demand for skilled workers, and streamlining the visa process is a crucial step. "The Federal Agency for Foreign Affairs is already the largest visa office for national visas worldwide. We urgently need skilled workers who can continue to support this effort. In India, particularly in Delhi, we have successfully reduced the visa processing time to two weeks, down from nine months," Baerbock stated.

Addressing Labor Shortages and Job Vacancies
In 2023, Germany had approximately 570,000 unfilled job vacancies, according to the German Economic Institute (IW). Prolonged visa processing times have also delayed training programs and conferences. Indian companies with investments in Germany have been affected by these delays, as they need quick visa approvals to bring specialists into the country.

The German Economic Institute estimates that the potential economic loss from unfilled positions could reach €74 billion by 2027. Despite the introduction of a 'Visa Acceleration Action Plan' by Germany's Foreign Ministry in 2023, the IW expressed concerns that the plan might not achieve the desired results, warning that the country could face an economic loss of €49 billion.

Increase in Employment-Related Visas
Between January and June 2024, Germany issued 80,000 employment-related visas, with skilled workers accounting for 40,000 of them. This marked an increase of 3,000 visas in comparison to the same period in 2023. Germany's efforts to expedite visa processes demonstrate the country’s determination to attract the talent needed to fuel its economy.

Strengthening India-Germany Relations
As part of their growing bilateral ties, India and Germany are fostering stronger relations. On August 14, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with German MPs Jurgen Hardt and Ralph Brinkhaus, further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.

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