GERMANY'S GREEN CARD PROGRAM
To face shortage in IT professionals

In order to meet a current temporary shortage in Germany of professionals in information and communication technology, up to 20,000 foreigners with a university degree (residing outside the European Union) can be granted a work permit for a maximum of 5 years. This also applies to foreign students graduating from German universities in courses specializing in the area of information and communication technology.

Speaking of the shortage of qualified IT specialists in Germany at the CeBIT electronics show in February, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said: "It is necessary to bring foreign IT specialists to Germany".

Who can come to live and work in Germany under the "IT-specialists Temporary Relief Program"?
IT-specialists from all non-European Union countries are welcome to apply for employment. Nationals of EU-member states do not need a work permit in Germany, because there is free movement of labor within the European Union.

What types of specialists are being recruited?
IT-specialists in the information and communications technology sector are needed - for example, software and multi-media developers and programmers, circuit and IT-system developers, IT-consultants, and systems, Internet, and network specialists.

What special permits does an interested IT professional need?
To work for a company in Germany, you will need a work permit and a residence permit. The first work permit within the IT-program framework must be applied for within three years after the program is launched.

What qualifications do I need?
Computer specialists with university or polytechnic college degrees - Bachelor's or Master's Degrees - in any IT-related subject, such as computer science or communications engineering are eligible. Specialists without a college degree can only work in Germany if the employer agrees in writing to pay an annual salary of Euro 50,000 or more, before taxes and deductions.

Where can I apply?
The German Federal Employment Agency has set up an Online Job Fair for applicants, where you can introduce yourself and present your curriculum vitae. Companies will also post job openings in this online fair: www.arbeitsamt.de.

Furthermore, the "Zentralstelle für Arbeitsver-mittlung" (ZAV) in Bonn, which is responsible for job placement of foreigners, can be reached at the following e-mail address: Bonn-ZAV.IT-Experts@arbeitsamt.de 

Can one also apply directly to a German company?
Of course, interested and qualified individuals could also apply directly to a company in Germany, for example, in reply to an ad in a trade magazine or on the Internet. If this ad is directed at all potential candidates without naming any specific countries of origin, feel free to respond. If, however, you are specifically recruited in your home country by a newspaper ad, a company employee or a private employment agency, you should make sure that this recruitment is legal! Ask to see a written permit from the Federal Employment Agency or from a state employment office in Germany. No private employment agency is allowed to charge you a fee to find you a job.

After I have found a job, where do I get a work permit?
Normally, your prospective employer will apply for a written notice of intent to issue a work permit on your behalf at the local employment office.

Which documents or records do I (or does my employer) need to submit?
The only documents required are proof of a university or technical college degree in information or communications technology. This is not necessary if the employer provides a written pledge to pay the applicant an annual salary of Euro 50,000 or more, before taxes and deductions.

In the case of applicants who have no knowledge of the German language, it is sufficient if they have a good command of English.

What does this mean for IT professionals from various Arab nations ?
You could apply to IT job vacancies advertised by various German companies on corporate web site or German job portals.

Sources:
The German Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs Brochure,
www.arbeitsamt.de ,the German Embassy in Cairo's web site.