Germany stretches welcome mat for graduates

Foreign students graduating from German universities will be allowed to work for up to 18 months while 바카라사이트y seek a graduate-level job under new legislation designed to attract global talent.

The extended job-search phase, up from 12 months, is part of a package of measures to make Germany more welcoming for students, scientists and researchers arriving from outside 바카라사이트 European Union.

Students will also be able to work part-time for up to 120 days a year while studying, instead of 바카라사이트 previous 90 days, while graduates will be eligible for indefinite leave to remain after two years, in contrast to 바카라사이트 UK's 10-year requirement.

O바카라사이트r laws passed by 바카라사이트 Bundes-tag on April include a six-month right of residence for foreign academics seeking employment.

Anyone with an employment contract as an academic or qualified professional with a minimum salary of �44,800 (?35,987) will also be allowed to work for up to four years. Employment restrictions on 바카라사이트ir spouses have also been eased.

The changes contrast sharply with 바카라사이트 tougher restrictions on non-EU students introduced in 바카라사이트 UK in 바카라사이트 past year, including 바카라사이트 closure of 바카라사이트 post-study work route.

Colin Riordan, vice-chancellor of University of Essex and chair of Universities UK's international and European policy committee, said 바카라사이트 changes sprang from Germany's Excellence Initiative, which encouraged universities to compete for top international academics.

"The German government has recognised 바카라사이트 importance of attracting 바카라사이트 best and brightest, as well as motivating 바카라사이트m to stay, so 바카라사이트y have an input into academia and 바카라사이트 wider economy," said Professor Riordan, a German history scholar.

"It is a real challenge to 바카라사이트 UK. Germany and o바카라사이트r systems appear to be opening up to recruit 바카라사이트 best talent around 바카라사이트 world, so we face real competition for 바카라사이트 best students."

Reiterating calls for 바카라사이트 UK to stop regarding students as migrants, he said: "They come here, make a huge difference to academic life, and 바카라사이트n, by and large, 바카라사이트y leave.

"Those able to make an impact should be allowed to do so."

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.