A recent analysis reveals a significant shortfall in the utilization of Germany’s newly established avenues for skilled worker immigration, prompting renewed criticism of the government’s approach. A response from the Federal Interior Ministry to a request from the Green Party parliamentary group, reported by “Welt” indicates that only 17,489 so-called Opportunity Cards were issued by German foreign missions between June 2024 and November 2025. This permit facilitates entry for foreign nationals seeking employment, contingent upon meeting pre-defined criteria. The previous coalition government had ambitiously targeted approximately 30,000 Opportunity Cards annually.
Further underscoring the limited uptake, data shows that 838 visas were granted under the “Experience Column” program, designed for skilled workers possessing practical experience but lacking German qualifications, between March 2024 and November 2025. Both the Opportunity Card and the Experience Column represent key components of the 2023 reform of Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act.
Lamya Kaddor, Green Party parliamentary spokesperson for skilled immigration, emphasized that legislative adjustments alone are insufficient to ensure successful immigration. “A genuine welcoming culture, a clear commitment to immigration and the proactive promotion of new opportunities abroad are essential” she stated, observing that the figures for the Experience Column are particularly concerning.
Kaddor sharply criticized the government’s performance, alleging a disconnect between policy goals and actual implementation. “The government barely promotes these diverse access routes and sends the completely wrong signal through constant anti-immigration debates”. While the Opportunity Card has garnered considerable attention, other pathways face a critical lack of visibility and public awareness. This, she argues, contributes to Germany’s diminished attractiveness in the international competition for skilled workers, with predictable consequences for recruitment figures. The situation highlights a broader, lingering inconsistency between Germany’s stated commitment to addressing skill shortages and the practical support offered to potential foreign workers.
