Together instead of alone:
How German companies can attract foreign specialists
The shortage of skilled workers is having an increasing impact on the German economy. Current trends around the topics of new work and work-life balance as well as demographic change show: It is not getting any easier to attract qualified specialists to one's own company. To remain competitive internationally, new concepts are needed to strengthen a company's own human capital - and ultimately Germany as a business location. When recruiting new personnel, looking abroad is becoming increasingly important. However, this is precisely where wishes and reality often diverge.
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Shahroch Taleqani
Challenges in the employment of foreign specialists
Hiring qualified specialists from abroad has so far been accompanied by various complications. Not least because of the high legal hurdles to immigration in Germany, both companies and potential employees are often reluctant to do so. For employers, however, the challenge can be an opportunity: If they do not leave their potential employees to go through the immigration process alone, they become more attractive to skilled workers from abroad who are willing to change jobs and immigrate. The onboarding process with the new employer in Germany then begins not only with the first day of work, but already in the previous country of residence.
For foreigners, moving to a German company is often a leap into the unknown. If the uncertainty is compounded by uncertainty due to high legal hurdles to immigration, urgently needed and highly qualified workers from abroad are deterred. Instead of a German company, they then prefer to choose another company in a different location. So what can be done? If a company is large enough and has its own legal department, this should deal with the business migration trend as soon as possible and provide potential new employees from abroad with legal assistance while they are still there. Another alternative for onboarding abroad is to have qualified German lawyers accompany the non-EU foreigner. Such an offer significantly increases the attractiveness of the new employer for desired employees. The support by lawyers during the onboarding process, shifts the start time of the accompaniment significantly forward.
Attorney support creates remedy
Lawyers specializing in business migration are able to promptly resolve unexpected problems and complications in the immigration process. They assist the future foreign employee every step of the way, answering questions as they arise and helping to submit the right applications to the right offices at the right time with the right documents - an undertaking that often proves too complicated even for German citizens when dealing with the authorities. In some cases, different missions abroad require different documents for the same application. The result: confusion and delays.
Another advantage of lawyers - compared to the classic relocation service: lawyers can and may act quickly and competently as well as actively participate in the administrative procedure for the foreign professional.
Legal support for the future employee during the application process for a work and residence permit, such as an EU Blue Card, is a valuable resource for companies looking for employees abroad. By assisting the foreign professional during this process, it is possible to alleviate the anxiety associated with this procedure. The assistance of a lawyer in the visa application process ensures a smooth process so that the company and the new employee can focus on integrating into the company.
The biggest advantage for employers is that having lawyers accompany them through the onboarding process provides a safeguard. Companies do not have to worry that the desired employee will not be allowed to enter Germany to begin work until later, or in the worst case, not at all, due to errors in the immigration process. In addition, lawyers assume liability with regard to their legal advice.
Ensuring a fast and smooth immigration process is therefore a clear added value for the future employee and also for the employer. If German companies want to become internationally competitive and more attractive as an employer for foreign employees, they should rely on the professional support and advice of lawyers in the immigration process of future employees.
