Overview of Opportunity Card Visa
The Opportunity Card is a residence permit that allows workers from non EU countries residents to enter Germany in order to seek employment. It can also be used to search for measures to recognize foreign professional qualifications in Germany.
A points system is used to determine whether you are eligible for the Opportunity Card based on your qualifications, knowledge and circumstances. A minimum score of six points is required for this. If you have a recognized vocational qualification in Germany, you can apply for the Opportunity Card as a recognized skilled worker without having to achieve a minimum number of points. In both cases, you must also fulfil the basic requirements listed below.
You can apply for the Opportunity Card online in the Consular Services Portal or locally at your German mission. When applying online, you can use a points calculator to determine how many points you will receive for your qualifications, knowledge and living conditions, unless you already qualify directly as a recognized skilled worker. You will also be asked whether you fulfil the necessary basic requirements.
The Opportunity Card is issued for a period of up to one year. If you find qualified employment during your stay, you can obtain a subsequent residence permit for the purpose of further searching (follow-up Opportunity Card) or taking up gainful employment from the local foreigners authority in Germany.
The following basic requirements must be fulfilled for the Opportunity Card on a points basis:
- Completed degree of two years or more, recognized by the state from where it has been obtained.
- German language skills at least at level A1 or English language skills at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),
- sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay in Germany.
Points distribution scheme
This scheme is based on 6 points and applicants has to qualify for this.Â
Basic Requirements:
If the basic requirements listed above are fulfilled but there is no direct qualification as a skilled worker, the required minimum score of six points can be obtained via the following criteria in order to receive the Opportunity Card.Â
Partial recognition of a foreign educational qualification (4 Points)
If you have already undergone the procedure for recognizing your foreign qualification and partial equivalence has been established as a result, you will receive four points for this. The same applies in the case of a regulated profession if compensatory measures are still required for the license to practice.
Shortage occupational Qualification (1 Point)
If your qualification belongs to a so-called shortage occupation, you will receive one point. A shortage occupation is an occupation in which there is a shortage of skilled labor. In the list of shortage occupations linked here, you can find out whether your occupational field is one of them.
Work experience (2-3 points)
If you can prove that you have at least two years of professional experience appropriate to your qualifications that you have acquired within the last five years, you will receive two points. If you have at least three years of professional experience within the last seven years, you will receive three points.
Language skills (1-4 Points)
You will receive one point for German language skills at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), two points for language level B1 and three points for level B2 or higher. You will receive an additional point for English language skills at level C1 or higher and at native speaker level.
Age (1-2 Points)
People who are not older than 35 years of age receive two points. One point is awarded for ages between 35 and 40.
Points based on previous legal residence in Germany (1 Point)
If you have resided legally and continuously in Germany for at least six months in the last five years, you will receive one point. This includes stays for study, language acquisition or gainful employment. Stays for tourist purposes (e.g. holidays or family visits) are excluded from this.
Joint applications with your Spouse/partner (1 Point)
If you wish to enter Germany together with your spouse or registered partner and you both apply for the Opportunity Card at the same German mission, one point can be awarded for one of the two applications, provided the other requirements are also fulfilled.
Please click on the below link to apply directly.Â