The German government asked to speed up international student visas as labour crisis bites

German universities and industry leaders are urging the government to intensify efforts to attract and retain international students, emphasizing the need for faster visa processing as an initial step. 

This appeal comes at a time when Germany faces acute labour shortages, prompting a strategic push to integrate international graduates into the domestic job market.

 According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), international student enrollment in Germany reached a record high of 405,000 during the 2024/2025 winter semester. 

The largest groups of students hail from India, China, Syria, Austria, and Turkiye.

According to reports, three prominent groups—the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), and the Federation of German Industries (BDI)—stressed the importance of leveraging the potential of international students in a letter to the government. 

They highlighted that these students, often trained to meet local job market demands, could play a crucial role in addressing the talent gap in various industries.

Germany's economy relies heavily on highly qualified professionals to sustain its competitive edge in innovation and development.

 "International students already possess a recognized university degree, basic language skills, and some level of societal integration," an HRK spokesperson said in a statement to Times Higher Education.

 These attributes make them valuable contributors to the German workforce

Enhanced cooperation

The groups advocate for stronger collaboration between universities and industries to facilitate a seamless transition for international graduates into the job market. 

Key recommendations include providing career guidance throughout academic programs, offering specialized training before and after graduation,and expanding internship opportunities within German companies.

Internships during studies allow students to familiarize themselves with the German work culture and technical language," added the HRK spokesperson.

Broadening support systems

To remain globally competitive, German universities have been encouraged to expand multilingual programs, particularly in English, to attract a diverse pool of international talent.

The letter also calls for increased funding to enhance student support services and supervision. Additionally, stakeholders emphasize the importance of developing more student housing options to cater to the growing number of international learners.

HRK Vice-President Ulrich Bartosch underscored the significance of fostering a welcoming environment, telling THE, "To attract young people to study in Germany and then keep them there, we need a culture of openness and appreciation in administration, business, and society."

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/german-government-asked-to-speed-up-international-student-visas-as-labour-crisis-bites/articleshow/116626895.cms