As part of a targeted labor migration agreement, Germany, the largest economy in Europe, has agreed to accept 250,000 qualified and semi-skilled workers from Kenya.
The goal of the deal is to alleviate Germany’s labor scarcity and Kenya’s employment issues.
Kenyans will be able to apply for and be granted a temporary residency permit for a maximum of two years, with the potential of an extension, in order to study.
A planned labor migration agreement in the largest economy in Europe has seen Germany agree to accept 250,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers from Kenya.
President William Ruto and Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed the labor deal between Germany and Kenya in Berlin, according to the BBC.
This decision was made at a time when Germany is experiencing a labor shortage and Kenya is having difficulty finding young professionals with suitable jobs and income opportunities.
The latest agreement with Kenya also intends to make it easier for Kenyans living in Germany without authorization to return home. This occurs at a time when the far-right anti-immigrant party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is becoming more and more popular in Germany, making immigration a divisive topic.
As a result of this agreement, temporary residence permits for Kenyan workers who land approved employment may be extended, and long-term visas may be granted to individuals who want to study or receive vocational training in Germany.
Kenyans will be able to apply for a study-related temporary residency permit that can be extended for a maximum of two years.
Kenyan nationals can apply for a study-related temporary residency visa that lasts up to two years, with the option of an extension if the intended use of the permit can still be fulfilled in a fair amount of time.
Notably, the agreement permits IT professionals from Kenya to go to and employment in Germany without a formal degree.
As long as their credentials are accepted by the appropriate authorities, both governments want to facilitate the immigration of competent individuals who have obtained university degrees or vocational training.
