New Delhi: Germany has extended a strong pitch to skilled Indian professionals, positioning itself as a stable and lucrative destination just as the United States’ H-1B visa overhaul triggers uncertainty and backlash.
Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, issued what he called “an open invitation to skilled Indian workers,” highlighting his country’s predictable policies and thriving opportunities. “Germany stands out with its stable migration policies, and with great job opportunities for Indians in IT, management, science and tech,” he said.
“Here is my call to all highly skilled Indians. Germany stands out with its stable migration policies, and with great job opportunities for Indians in IT, management, science and tech,” he wrote on X.
The outreach follows the Trump administration’s steep hike of H-1B visa fees to $100,000 per application, a dramatic jump from the previous $215 to $5,000. While U.S. officials defended the move as a safeguard for American jobs, critics denounced it as abrupt and discriminatory.
Ackermann underscored Germany’s contrasting approach, remarking, “Our migration policy works a bit like a German car. It’s reliable, it is modern, and it is predictable. It will go in a straight line with no zig-zags.”
He also pointed to the earnings of Indian professionals in Germany as proof of their strong integration. “The average Indian working in Germany earns more than the average German. A high salary means Indians are contributing big time to our society and our welfare. We believe in hard work and giving the best jobs to the best people,” he said in a video message.
Germany is projected to need nearly 288,000 immigrants annually until 2040 to counter demographic decline and labour shortages. In line with this, Berlin has pledged 200,000 professional visas for 2025, with 90,000 reserved for Indians—a sharp rise from the earlier quota of 20,000.
Currently, about 130,000 Indians work in Germany, earning on average €5,359 per month, compared to the German median salary of €3,945 at the end of 2023.