One year after Germany introduced the Opportunity Residence Act, over 47,000 migrants have been granted temporary residency, according to recent statistics.
The German Interior Ministry announced that as of October 2023, 47,531 applications had been approved under the new law, which came into effect on December 31, 2022.
Most applicants originated from Iraq, followed by Russia, Nigeria, Lebanon, and Iran.
The ministry did not provide details on rejected applications or those still being processed.
Pathway to Long-Term Residency
The Opportunity Residence Act allows migrants who have lived in Germany for at least five years as of October 31, 2022 to apply for a temporary permit. This includes relatives of the applicant.
To be eligible, applicants cannot have a criminal record and must have consistently reported their identity to authorities.
Successful applicants are given 18 months to meet long-term residency requirements, including learning German and proving they can support themselves financially.
The permit gives them immediate legal status and work rights.
An estimated 136,868 migrants are eligible under the new law. Within six months of its introduction, nearly 50,000 had applied. Most applications so far have been approved.
The law will remain in effect for three years until December 30, 2025.
Uneven Application Rates
Application rates vary significantly by state.
In Berlin and Bavaria, approximately 58% of those eligible have applied.
However, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, only a third have applied.
Rejection rates have remained low.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the rejection rate is around 4%, while in Bavaria and Lower Saxony it is approximately 6%.
ETIAS and Schengen Impacts
This development could have implications for visitors and immigrants to Germany and the European Union (EU) more broadly.
Once launched in May 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to obtain pre-travel clearance.
With Germany regularizing the status of over 47,000 migrants, immigration officers may increase screening of ETIAS applications to prevent improper use of the system.
The news may also factor into ongoing debates within the EU over reforming the Schengen area.
Broader EU Immigration Policies
Germany’s actions could influence wider EU immigration policy conversations.
The Opportunity Residence Act provides a pathway to legal status for long-term irregular migrants.
This contrasts with EU policies focused on external border control and preventing illegal entry.
As the EU grapples with aging populations and labor shortages, Germany’s move may spur discussions on creating accessible channels for economic migration and integration.
However, anti-immigrant sentiment persists across parts of the EU, potentially limiting reforms.
Pathway to Integration
The Opportunity Residence Act provides a pathway to stability for migrants who have long resided in Germany without secure legal status.
If successful, tens of thousands could integrate further into German society and access the labor market.
While application rates are uneven across states so far, the law has seen high demand in its first year.