Germany makes immigration easier for non-European scientists

Germany has become the fourth nation in the European Union to sign an EU directive into law that will make it easier for scientists from non-European countries to gain work visas. Austria, Slovenia, and Slovakia have already signed the new directive into law.

The EU directive of 12 October 2005 outlines a procedure for admitting third-country nationals for the purpose of scientific research. Member nations will be required to establish a mechanism of fast-tracking procedures for admitting scientific researchers. Local research centers would establish the validity of an applicant's credentials.

Previously, applicants had to be checked by foreign authorities as well as the German Federal Agency for Employment.

According to Annette Schavan, German Minister for Education and Research, the new law will "lessen considerably the bureaucratic requirements that individual researchers need for residency and employment permission in Germany and the European Union. Germany and Europe will, through this, clearly profit from becoming attractive for foreign scientists." She expects the new measures to make Germany more globally competitive.

Germany spends more on research and development than any other country in the EU, with €56 billion spent in 2005. Other countries, such as France, are in the process of translating the directive into law. The United Kingdom has no such plans.

The EU directive is required to be translated into national law by member countries by October of 2007, except for the UK, which is allowed under EU rules to make decisions on whether it should opt in to EU policy relating to freedom, justice, and security.

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