PROGEDO – your first friend abroad. For us this is not just a statement but a commitment! That is why we regularly inform our customers about current events and happenings that we consider particularly important for them.
If a company intends to hire a qualified professional (“Fachkraft”) living outside Germany who requires a visa, there is no way of avoiding the German embassies and consulates in the respective country where the prospective new employee currently resides.* Unfortunately though, these first points of contact are operating hopelessly beyond capacity in many countries: People can expect to wait three months for an appointment in India, six months in Pakistan or the Philippines, and a whole nine months in Cameroon or the Western Balkans. In some countries, it can take as long as twelve months before you get to hand in your application documents. That is, if you manage to get an appointment at all – as that’s purely a matter of luck. Only those who constantly check the pages of the respective consular post are in with a chance of securing an appointment by chance. Or those who make use of the now numerous “agencies” in the respective countries that promise to arrange an earlier appointment for a fee. In some countries you cannot even book an appointment directly. You have to be placed on a waiting list first.
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Coronavirus Covid-19 and the implications for visas and work permits
/in Consulting /by Joerg HolstenThe coronavirus has now arrived in Germany too and is leading to increasingly momentous restrictions in public life, the likes of which haven’t been seen in Germany’s history since World War II.
Long visa waiting times for skilled workers at German embassies
/in Visa & Immigration /by Joerg HolstenPROGEDO – your first friend abroad. For us this is not just a statement but a commitment! That is why we regularly inform our customers about current events and happenings that we consider particularly important for them.
If a company intends to hire a qualified professional (“Fachkraft”) living outside Germany who requires a visa, there is no way of avoiding the German embassies and consulates in the respective country where the prospective new employee currently resides.* Unfortunately though, these first points of contact are operating hopelessly beyond capacity in many countries: People can expect to wait three months for an appointment in India, six months in Pakistan or the Philippines, and a whole nine months in Cameroon or the Western Balkans. In some countries, it can take as long as twelve months before you get to hand in your application documents. That is, if you manage to get an appointment at all – as that’s purely a matter of luck. Only those who constantly check the pages of the respective consular post are in with a chance of securing an appointment by chance. Or those who make use of the now numerous “agencies” in the respective countries that promise to arrange an earlier appointment for a fee. In some countries you cannot even book an appointment directly. You have to be placed on a waiting list first.
Read moreDiscrimination on Germany’s residential market?
/in Expat Life in Germany /by Oliver FrankfurthWhy is it so difficult for an expat who doesn’t speak German to get accepted as the new tenant of a sought-after rental apartment? And what can you do, as an employer and employee, to secure success despite these odds?
In Germany’s urban centres, there’s hardly anything more laborious in life than the task of finding an apartment. At least that’s what anyone looking will confirm to you without exception. And it’s particularly difficult for anyone from abroad. There are many different reasons for this.
Read moreThe situation on the rental market in major German cities – what do you need to know?
/in Expat Life in Germany /by PROGEDOFinding an apartment with an affordable rent isn’t all that easy in Germany. In fact, in many large cities it has become extremely difficult. Especially if you don’t speak German and aren’t familiar with the “rules” that govern how to submit applications and attend viewings. The search process has become even more tricky by amendments made to the German Real Estate Agents Act (also known as the “Orderer Principle”) in 2015. Since this change in the law was introduced, the person who commissioned the agent must pay the agent – and that is usually the landlord. This brings financial relief for the tenant – who in the past would usually have had to pay two months’ rent plus VAT to an agent if the landlord had hired one. But unfortunately, this change in the law hasn’t just brought positive repercussions with it.
Read moreThe new apartments in Berlin – A trend that worries me
/in PROGEDO /by Stefanie JochheimWhile working at Progedo in Berlin as a relocation coach for the last years I have come across a lot of different building types and different landlords when searching for new homes for my clients. This post will be my view on my experience while working all over the city, consulting our clients from all over the world by translating, guiding and advising on the best way possible to obtain the life they dream about here in Berlin.
Read moreThe Immigration Law for Professionals
/in Visa & Immigration /by Joerg HolstenPROGEDO – your first friend abroad. For us this is not just a statement but a commitment! That is why we regularly inform our customers about current events and happenings that we consider particularly important for them.
The Immigration Act is designed to facilitate the immigration of qualified workers from “third” countries and will take effect on March 1, 2020. It is not an independent law, rather partial adjustment to the existing laws.
Read moreMeasles Protection Act – Vaccination will become mandatory on March 1, 2020
/in Consulting /by Joerg HolstenPROGEDO – your first friend abroad. For us this is not just a statement but a commitment! That is why we regularly inform our customers about current events and happenings that we consider particularly important for you.
In addition to the Immigration Act, on March 1, 2020, another law will also go into effect.
Read moreThis law is very important for foreign professionals with children, namely the Measles Protection Act. As a consequence of this law all children who are not vaccinated will lose their place in day care. Parents whose school-age children are not vaccinated face fines of up to 2,500 euros!
Brexit: What UK citizens employed in Germany can expect
/in Visa & Immigration /by Joerg HolstenPROGEDO – your first friend abroad. We take this promise very seriously indeed! That’s why we like to keep our clients informed about current affairs and events we think might be particularly important and relevant to them.
There’s no going back now: The UK has left the European Union, with Brexit finally taking place on 31st January 2020. This date marked the beginning of a transition period that will go on until 31st December 2020. During this time, UK citizens will continue to enjoy just the same freedom of movement as other EU citizens. Whatever happens once this transition period comes to an end, one thing is for certain: UK citizens living in Germany will require a residency permit or an equivalent certification of their right of residence in the future.
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PROGEDO presents: The Hanseatic City of Hamburg
/in PROGEDO /by Oliver FrankfurthPROGEDO presents: Berlin
/in PROGEDO /by Oliver Frankfurth