Germany Opportunity Card Application Process

» Last updated on July 14th, 2024 at 07:59 pm

Are you planning to move to Germany with the Opportunity Card? If the answer is yes, you will find the Germany Opportunity Card Application Process in this blog post in detail.

If you’re from a country outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland and lack a concrete job offer, worry not! You can come to Germany with the Opportunity Card.

However, for that, you have to go for a point system evaluation. In this post, we will explain the point system of the Germany Opportunity Card Application.

Introduction to the Germany Opportunity Card Application

Are you eyeing a career in Germany but lack a concrete job offer? Then Germany’s Opportunity Card might just be the key to realizing your dreams of working and living in this vibrant European nation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of the Opportunity Card, highlighting crucial points for qualification and points allocation. So before that let us know What is the Opportunity Card for Germany?

What is the Opportunity Card?

The Opportunity Card serves as a lifeline for individuals without a job offer in Germany. It allows you to enter the country and actively seek employment opportunities. Whether you’re a skilled worker or not, this card opens doors to job prospects in various sectors across Germany.

Qualification Criteria Opportunity Card

In this section, we will explain the Qualification Criteria for the Opportunity Card in Germany. You can come as a skilled worker or as a non-skilled worker as well.

For Skilled Workers:

To be eligible for the Opportunity Card as a skilled worker, your foreign higher education or vocational qualification must be equivalent or comparable to a German qualification. Additionally, you must demonstrate the ability to financially support yourself during your stay in Germany.

For Non-Skilled Workers:

If you don’t meet the criteria as a skilled worker, fret not. The Opportunity Card is also accessible via a point system. Here are the basic requirements:

1. Recognized Qualification: Your foreign higher education or vocational qualification must be recognized by the state in your country of origin.
2. Language Proficiency: Proficiency in either German (minimum A1 level) or English (minimum B2 level).
3. Financial Support: You must prove your ability to financially support yourself throughout your stay in Germany.

Point System

To qualify for the Opportunity Card, you need to score at least 6 points. Below you will find the points that you can earn for your qualifications, experiences, age etc.

1. Qualification and Work Experience: The system awards points based on the recognition of your qualifications in Germany and your relevant work experience.
2. Language Skills: The system rewards proficiency in German and English with points.
3. Age: The system favors younger applicants, awarding additional points to those under 35.
4. Previous Stay in Germany: If you’ve previously lived in Germany for a consecutive six-month period for specific purposes, you earn extra points.
5. Spouse or Partner: If your spouse or registered partner already meets the requirements for the Opportunity Card, you gain additional points.

Benefits of the Germany Opportunity Card

If you are able to score six or more points and meet the conditions for the Opportunity Card, you can apply for it. The Opportunity Card is valid for a maximum of one year, during which you can look for a job and ensure that you can support yourself financially.

The Opportunity Card provides several advantages:

• Work Trials: The system allows you to do work trials for two weeks each during your stay in Germany.
• Secondary Employment: You can take up secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
• Qualified Employment: Once you find a qualified employment position, you can immediately apply for the respective residence title at the competent foreigner’s authority in Germany.

Germany Opportunity Card Application: What is Your Points?

You can apply directly for the Chancenkarte. This applies if you have a foreign professional or academic degree fully recognized in Germany. You are also eligible if you completed your university degree or vocational training in Germany.

As we mentioned already, if not, you must accumulate at least 6 points to qualify for the Opportunity Card. Review the following criteria and sum up the points you qualify for:

Get 4 points if:

• German authorities have confirmed partial equivalence after you applied for recognition of your foreign qualification.

Get 3 points if:

• You are proficient in German at level B2 or above, or
• You have five years of professional experience within the last seven years.

Earn 2 points if:

• You are 18 to 35 years old, or
• You are proficient in German at level B1, or
• You have two years of professional experience in the last five years.

Get 1 point if:

• You are between 35 and 40 years old, or
• You can prove legal residence in Germany for an uninterrupted period of at least six months within the last five years (excluding tourism-related stays), or
• You are proficient in German at level A2, or
• You have English proficiency at the C1 level, or
• Your spouse meets the requirements for the Opportunity Card, or
• Your qualified skills are in a profession in demand (“bottleneck profession”).

Good to know: The key requirement is to reach at least 6 points. Once you meet this threshold, you are considered eligible to apply for the Chancenkarte.

As long as you have 6 or more points, you can apply for the Chancenkarte. There is no competitive disadvantage based on the number of points beyond meeting the minimum requirement.

How to Apply for the Germany Opportunity Card

The application process for the Opportunity Card involves several steps:

1. Self-Check Tool: If you are unsure of your chances of receiving an Opportunity Card, you can use the self-check tool on the ‘Self-Check: Opportunity Card’ subpage of the ‘Visa & residence’ section on the ‘Make it in Germany’ webpage. This tool helps you assess your eligibility based on the point system.
2. Gather Required Documents: Prepare all necessary documents, including proof of qualifications, work experience, language skills, financial support, and any other relevant documentation.
3. Submit Application: Submit your application to the German embassy or consulate in your home country or country of residence. Ensure you include and correctly fill out all required documents.
4. Await Decision: Submit your application, then wait for the decision. The processing time can vary, so it is important to apply well in advance of your planned move to Germany.
5. Receive Opportunity Card: If your application is approved, you will receive your Opportunity Card, allowing you to enter Germany and start your job search.

Who Can Apply for the Germany Opportunity Card?

To be eligible for the Opportunity Card, applicants must be considered ‘skilled workers’ in Germany. This classification requires your foreign higher education or vocational qualification to be equivalent or comparable to a German qualification.

Additionally, you need to prove that you can financially support yourself during your stay, either through a blocked account or a Declaration of Commitment.

However, if you do not meet the skilled worker criteria, you can still apply for the Opportunity Card through a point system.

This system assesses your qualifications, work experience, language skills, age, previous stays in Germany, and the potential of your spouse or registered partner to be considered a skilled worker.

You can calculate your points for the German Opportunity Card here.

Basic Requirements for the Germany Opportunity Card

Before delving into the point system, let’s explore the basic requirements that must be met:

1. Foreign Higher Education or Vocational Qualification: The state in your country of origin must recognize your qualification. Vocational training must have a minimum duration of two years.
2. Qualifications from German Chambers of Commerce Abroad: If you obtained your qualification at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad in the “category A”, it is accepted.
3. Language Skills: You must have German language skills at a minimum level of A1 or English language skills at a minimum level of B2.
4. Financial Support: You must prove that you can financially support yourself during your entire stay, for example, by means of a blocked account or a Declaration of Commitment.

Scoring Points for the Germany Opportunity Card Application

To qualify for the Opportunity Card, you need to score at least six points. Points are awarded based on the following criteria:

Qualification and Work Experience

• Partially Recognized Qualification: 4 points if your foreign higher education or vocational qualification is partially recognized in Germany. Also if you have received a notice with additional requirements for regulated professions.
• Work Experience (5 Years): 3 points for acquiring at least five years of qualification-related work experience. It should be in the past seven years.
• Work Experience (2 Years): 2 points for acquiring at least two years of qualification-related work experience during the past five years. The time spent working after graduation counts as professional experience.
• Bottleneck Professions: 1 additional point if you work in a profession that is considered a bottleneck profession in Germany. These professions are such as physicians, skilled workers in IT, or teachers.

Language Skills

• German Language Skills (B2): 3 points for German language skills at a minimum level of B2.
• German Language Skills (B1): 2 points for German language skills at a minimum level of B1.
• German Language Skills (A2): 1 point for German language skills at level A2.
• English Language Skills (C1): 1 point for English language skills at level C1.

Age

• Under 35 Years Old: 2 points if you are not older than 35.
• 35 to 40 Years Old: 1 point if you are between the ages of 35 and 40.

Previous Stay in Germany

• Previous Stay (6 Months): 1 point if you have stayed in Germany legally for six consecutive months during the past five years. However, that should be for purposes such as studying, attending a language course, or work. Tourist stays are not considered.

Spouse or Registered Partner

• Spouse’s Qualifications: 1 point if your spouse or registered partner already meets the requirements for the Opportunity Card.

Conclusion

To sum up, we would like to say that the Germany Opportunity Card Application process provides a valuable pathway. Especially for skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland to live and work in Germany.

By meeting the basic requirements and scoring the necessary points, individuals can enter Germany to search for employment. It would be great flexibility to support themselves financially and gain work experience.

This innovative scheme addresses skill shortages in key sectors and offers a streamlined approach for international talent. So, if you meet the eligibility criteria, the Opportunity Card could be your ticket to a successful career and life in Germany.