80 percent less German working visas for the Balkans during pandemic

In Germany, according to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs last year, compared to a year ago, a much smaller number of workers from the Western Balkans have received working visas, writes epid.de. According to this agency, the number of approved visas has dropped by about 80 percent.

Thus, in last year, working visas have received only 5,188 workers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. By comparison, in 2019 there were 27,259.

In addition, German authorities have refused 34 percent of visas last year, compared to only 24 percent had refused a year earlier.

This tendency was linked to the coronary pandemic.

Under current conditions, people can enter Germany through so - called Western Balkan regulations only if they want to work in important areas for care, in particular as nursing aid or professional drivers.

However, only specially qualified specialists are allowed to enter the European Union.

According to the Foreign Ministry, many visa offices in German diplomatic missions abroad have worked part-time, or only emergency. However, there is currently no additional waiting time for applications.

The Western Balkans regulator” entered into force early in 2016. Under certain conditions, it facilitates access to the German labour market to citizens of the region mentioned.

In January, the federal government has extended the regulation until 2023, but at the same time has limited it to 25,000 visa approvals annually.

In 2018 some 21,000 working visas were issued, while in 2017 there were 25,341.