This article first appeared in the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry vocational training magazine POSITION II/2025.

Until Larissa Euzebio was able to follow her husband João Bohn from Santa Catarina in southern Brazil to Düsseldorf, he had already been working as a software developer in Germany for eight months. "At first, it was sad for us to be apart, but we both had many things to organize and prepare," says Larissa Euzebio.

They already knew from the moment João Bohn decided to take part in the pilot project "Hand in Hand for International Talents" that they wanted to build a future together in Germany. The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics, connects German companies with skilled workers from abroad, and is implemented by the DIHK Service GmbH together with the Federal Employment Agency.

"This was the ideal opportunity for me," says João Bohn. Through the project, he came to the company Retraced, which offers online solutions for sustainable supply chain management.

Long waiting times

Because João Bohn's Brazilian professional qualification was initially only partially recognized, he spent the first few months in Düsseldorf undergoing additional qualification training with his employer. Only with the full recognition of his qualification and the corresponding residence status was he allowed to bring his wife to Germany. In the meantime, Larissa Euzebio prepared for the move. "On the same day I received the residence permit, we booked flights for May 21," says João Bohn. Then everything happened quickly. Larissa Euzebio flew to Germany and applied for family reunification directly at the responsible immigration office.

Family reunification not without hurdles

However, after the application, communication with the authority stalled, and emails and calls went unanswered. The couple eventually received support from the "Hand in Hand for International Talents" partners, the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the local Employment Agency, who helped them follow up with the immigration office. In December, Larissa Euzebio finally had her residence permit in her hands, which allows her to live and work in Germany with her husband. "I have a professional qualification in business administration and have also studied accounting," says Larissa Euzebio. "Since most job offers in this area require a higher level of German competence, I first want to complete the integration course and then look for job opportunities."

Even the spouses of skilled workers are often highly qualified and make their own contribution to tackling the shortage of skilled workers. A win-win situation for workers and the German economy. "We hope to help the economy and businesses in our respective fields and that our presence here has a positive influence," says João Bohn.

Employee retention with an international perspective

Companies whose international skilled workers want to bring their families can actively support their employees – for example, by providing time off for appointments at the immigration office or by helping to fill out documents.

Companies that are still looking for qualified workers from abroad are recommended by Anine Linder from the "Hand in Hand for International Talents" project to take the first step with an experienced partner. For example, with their project. "We not only support the search for skilled workers abroad but also integration in Germany. And, if needed, of course, with family reunification."