"So that GC can transition to NE, what conditions
must exist?"
-> 60 months of pension payment.
-> 5 years in Germany
-> Having a job (or some kind of proof which will show that you can continue your life in Germany financially independently, without getting state helps)
New immigration law made only clear that GC can continue after 5 years, IF he has a job and eventually get the NE. If he does not have a job, only god knows what will happen.
imagine that you lose your job after 4 years of working and Arbeitsamt gives
you only 6 months of unemployed allowance. You will probably have to leave
Germany after 4,5 half years of residence, if you can not find a job then. That
is not fair, IMHO. but life itself also is not fair..

info4alien guys were talking about some internal regulations of new immigration law
for internal use of ABHs.. I dont know when this will be available, let's
see if this one has smt new for GCs. (as far as I understood, this internal
regulation will not be published in any internet site.. it is just for ABH guys..)
Regards
Lacrima