The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has issued its Monitoring Report on Education and Employment Migration in 2024. The report shows a system that is in transition. While the number of newly issued residence permits for employment purposes declined slightly, this shift primarily stems from procedural changes introduced under the Skilled Workers Immigration Act 2.0. The report highlights how employers can benefit from the evolving framework, by engaging with new immigration routes such as the Opportunity Card and by leveraging the growing pool of international graduates already in Germany.
In 2024, approximately 120,200 third-country nationals received a first-time residence permit for employment purposes, alongside 29,700 settlement permits. This represents a modest statistical decrease of about six percent compared to 2023. However, the change largely reflects administrative timing rather than reduced demand. Since mid-2023, German consulates have been issuing employment and training visas valid for up to twelve months, meaning that many new arrivals will only appear in residence permit data for 2025.
The EU Blue Card remains the most significant category, accounting for 42,600 permits, followed by skilled workers with vocational training (18,000) and academic qualifications (13,000). Titles issued under §19c Residence Act, including the Western Balkans Regulation, accounted for another 27,000 permits.
Importantly, the data reveal an ongoing diversification of Germany’s talent base. India remains the leading country of origin for employment migration (around 11 %), followed by Turkey (8 %), while the Western Balkan states together account for more than a quarter of all first-time employment-related titles.
The report also shows an important internal shift: more than 46,000 individuals transitioned from an education-related title into employment in 2024. The number of such status changes increased by almost 16 %, while the number of new entrants fell due to the longer visa validity period. This reflects the growing importance of international graduates and trainees already in Germany as a source of skilled talent. At the same time, the total number of third-country nationals residing in Germany for employment purposes continued to rise, reaching around 588,000 by the end of 2024, an increase of nine percent compared to the previous year.
For employers, these developments reflect an immigration system in transition, one that is adjusting to new processes, pathways, and priorities. The reforms introduced under the Skilled Workers Immigration Act 2.0 are beginning to reshape how international talent enters and stays in Germany.
Companies that act early can benefit from this evolution. The Opportunity Card opens access to a wider pool of qualified professionals, including candidates with relevant experience but without prior qualification recognition. The expanded Western Balkans Regulation and the Recognition Partnership further broaden recruitment channels for practical and technical professions.
At the same time, the rise in status transitions within Germany shows that many skilled workers are already here, as graduates, trainees, or researchers. Engaging with this talent pool allows employers to recruit faster, integrate more smoothly, and strengthen retention, while contributing to a more sustainable long-term workforce strategy.
Vialto can help businesses turn regulatory change into opportunity. Our services cover the full immigration process — from selecting the right visa category to ensuring compliance with labour, tax, and social security requirements.
Working through a specialised law firm is key to ensuring legal certainty and procedural compliance. New routes such as the Opportunity Card and the Recognition Partnership involve complex coordination between immigration and labour authorities. We help companies navigate these processes efficiently, minimise risks, and secure international talent with confidence.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Mostafa Massoud
Partner
Inga Mayer
Senior Manager
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