The government has approved an amendment of its Employment Ordinance making access to the labour market easier for selected groups of so-called third-country nationals (TCNs). The term ‘third country’ is used to describe a country which is not a part of the European Union.

In November 2014, the government decided TCNs holding a university degree in a ‘needed occupation’, or who had a qualification in a needed occupation, or who held the right to stay in Germany for at least 15 months, could apply for a job in Germany.

A list of ‘needed occupations’ has been drawn up by the Federal Employment Agency (BA).

Previously, TNCs were not eligible to apply for a job unless the vacant position could not be filled by a German national or an EU citizen.

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