@snugglybun if you have a degree or sth. maybe you qualify for an #OpportunityCard?

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/opportunity-card/job-search

@nickapos @LukefromDC @kusuriya depends on one's personal case.

• AFAIK #Canada considers the #USA a "safe country of origin", but #Germany does not.
  • Either way, I'd recommend to seek non-asylum options first. Like the #OpportunityCard.

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/opportunity-card/job-search

OFC this is #NotLegalAdvice and I'd recommend to seek advice first.

• @marcel and his colleagues may be able to check your options and eligibility.
  • Do inquire about availability tho first... Worst-case they may refer you to another, equally qualified spechalist...

@aral he may qualify for an #OpportunityCard by @bamf 8?if he has an accredited degree.

• At keast it it's worth taking a look on what optionsthere are for him. Not just at @AuswaertigesAmt but also vacancies listed on https://make-it-in-germany.de/en…

• Certainly if he had like 36 out of the last 84 months #IT experience he should qualify for the IT professional visa.

#NotLegalAdvice OFC, and since here ain't any agreements reducing #visa requirements, his best shot may be to get in touch with recruiters at agencies like HAYS & robert half that are constantly looking...

@Lemmus @flup @AuswaertigesAmt You may even qualify for an #OpportunityCard - espechally when you have an accredited degree.

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/opportunity-card

@awmwrites @marcel Needless to say the #OpportunityCard requires about €13.092,-- as either guaranteed sponsorship or deposit per person & year...

But it ain't the only option at hand...

@jeremyjanzen @Crispius @Linux @cwebber as for #Germany, the #OpportunityCard (§20a AufenthG) is an option, tho it does require either a sponsor with significant unallocated income ( € 1.091,-- per month & person after taxes!) or equal amounts of savings (for 12 months = € 13.092 ) in a depository bank account in Germany.

• Luckily for #US citizens (= any holder of a #USA passport!) they can change their status post-entry arrival on a 90-of-180 day Schengen on-arrival visa (which requires a return ticket within said time frame and will only be issued for that one).

This is obviously #NotLegalAdvice and I'd highly recommend to seek consultation with a #lawyer like @marcel and his colleagues beforehand.

Needless to say the "Opportunity Card" is focussed on white-collar professionals and academics with a certified degree, so investing the €200 + paperwork to get accredited did help one person that I know to get that started.

• Either way, the ability for US passport holders to change status post-entry from tourist to resident and thus get a path to citizenship is something specific to Germany. If one can get hired within 90 days of entry into Germany and then file for residency permit and employment permit, that should also be an option. Tho again I do advice to seek consultation beforehand...

Other nations may have different requirements and are potentially easier to attain for people without an academic degree.

• Allegedly the #Netherlands and their #DAFTA (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) scheme may be more accessible for some, but I don't know Dutch and can't refer to a lawyer in the Netherlands.

Needless to say that I'd see the chances of getting asylum or protected status granted as very slim right now.

• Either way I do recommend to - (if possible) - arrive directly in Germany as first point of entry into EU/EFTA/Schengen to avoid any Dublin-II situation where agencies may demand one to file for asylum at the point of entry if one has to do so at some point.

Again: "Passport Privilegue" helps a lot, or as I call it "Business Class Escape"...

@ielenia with a B.A. you can get an #OpportunityCard in #Germany if accredited or at least get enough points with C1 English or A2 German to qualify.

• Not shure if an Associate Degree is being accredited tho.

IDK your support network nor financial situation nor your threat assessment.

• I'm already loaded saving two lives this route.