Starting from 1 June 2024, Germany’s new opportunity card (Chancenkarte) provides non-EU skilled workers a chance to come to the country without a job for a minimum of one year. This new residence permit allows them to find a job whilst they stay in Germany and they are also allowed to work part-time until they find a job and convert their residence permit status to a Skilled worker visa in Germany.
If a candidate can show that he has a degree or qualification recognized officially from Germany, they can directly apply for the opportunity card without proving the requirements of the points-based system. If you want to acquire further information about recognition of qualification in Germany, please access the information here.
- Background of the Opportunity Card
- What is Germany’s opportunity card?
- Opportunity Card, a points-based system
- Requirements of German Opportunity Card
- Points calculator for opportunity card
- Acceptable Langauge Tests
- How do you apply for the opportunity card in Germany?
- What happens when you reach Germany?
- Working Part Time on Opportunity Card in Germany
- Benefits of the Opportunity Card
Background of the Opportunity Card
On Friday, June 23, 2023, the members of the German Bundestag (the German parliament) adopted a federal government draft law on the further development of skilled worker immigration which also included the skilled worker visa known as the opportunity card. The concept of the Opportunity card was first introduced back in September 2022 when the Federal Minister of Labor “Hubertus Heil” wanted to boost the immigration of skilled workers from abroad with a so-called opportunity card. According to an expert from the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB), “Without immigration, Germany might lose around five million workers by 2030. To compensate for this, 400,000 more people have to move in than out every year.”
What is Germany’s opportunity card?
The German Government is to introduce a residence permit program called “Opportunity Card” for workers from non-EU countries from 1 June 2024. This is the first time Germany is starting a visa like this. Interested applicants can apply for it without a job offer or other hectic requirements to be fulfilled. The opportunity card is initially valid for one year and can be extended by a further two years if the person has an employment contract or an offer of qualified employment.
Opportunity Card, a points-based system
The opportunity card is based on points merit. The success score is 6 out of 11. If an applicant has a degree recognized from Germany, he/she will directly qualify for the opportunity card (residence permit). Otherwise, he will have to score a total of 6 points for age, qualification, professional skills, and language skills.
Requirements of German Opportunity Card
Anyone who can show a degree recognized in Germany immediately meets the conditions for an opportunity card. Anyone who has two years of vocational training or a university degree that is state-recognized in their home country can also apply for an opportunity card.
This opportunity card or visa could be obtained in two different ways:
a) Direct Eligibility
Non-EU nationals who can prove that their foreign qualifications are fully equivalent and are therefore considered “skilled workers” according to Section 18 Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act can receive the Opportunity Card without any further special requirements.
b) Eligibility through Points based system
To be eligible for the opportunity card, all others must fulfill the requirements such as:
- language proficiency in English at CEFR level B2 or in the German language at CEFR level A1,
- a recognized university degree (in country of origin) or,
- vocational training of a minimum of 2 years with professional experience.
Points calculator for opportunity card
In general, there are the following requirements for an applicant to be considered successful for the opportunity card:
Basic Requirements
Applicants need to show sufficient knowledge of German at level A1 or English knowledge at level B2. Furthermore at least two years of professional training by the rules of the country of origin.
Applicants must also have sufficient financial resources. This could be proven for example, with the help of an employment contract for a part-time job.
4 Points (Professional Qualification)
Applicants can get 4 points for partial recognition of foreign professional qualifications or permission to practice a regulated profession (e.g. educator, nurse, or engineer).
3 Points (Work Experience + Training or German Language)
There have been set aside 3 points for:
- five years of professional experience (in the last seven years) in the trained profession alongside the previous two years of professional training by the rules of the country of origin,
- One can also get these 3 points for good German language skills at language level CEFR B2.
2 Points for Less work experience + Vocational training or Age or German language
- 2 points are awarded for two years of professional experience with previous vocational training (in the last five years),
- German language at CEFR level B1 can also be awarded with two points.
1 Point for Age or previous stays in Germany
- Applicants are awarded 1 point who are not older than 40 years of age,
- for a previous stay in Germany (at least six months, stay as a tourist does not count).
1 Point for Language Proficiency/Training/Applying with a spouse
- proficiency in German at CEFR level A2,
- 1 point can also be awarded for very good knowledge of English CEFR C1,
- training in shortage professions, or
- if you apply for the Opportunity Card together with your spouse.
Acceptable Langauge Tests
The applicants have to show their skills in German and or English language proficiency to qualify for the opportunity card. The requirements and the acceptable tests are:
a) German
A minimum of A1 proficiency level is required. The higher the score goes, the more points you score. The acceptable German language tests are:
b) English
If you cannot show your German language skills to acquire points, you must show English language proficiency at the B2 level. The acceptable English language tests are:
How do you apply for the opportunity card in Germany?
To apply for the German opportunity card, the process may be as follows:
- You either apply through an online portal or fill in an application form. The designated online visa portal may ask you to upload your personal, educational, and work-based documents.
- Your documents will be checked by a German authority. If you meet all the criteria, you can then contact the German diplomatic mission in your home country to get an appointment for the visa application. After a few weeks, you should get the visa based on the opportunity card. You can then travel to Germany with it,
- You will have to prove that you have enough money to get started in Germany. A part-time job offer in Germany can also fulfill this requirement,
- You may also need to have some documents notarized such as if extra copies of your documents are demanded by a German embassy in your country of origin.
What happens when you reach Germany?
Once you reach Germany after successfully getting the Opportunity Card from the German embassy, you can apply for jobs that suit your qualifications. You can also then go to companies to introduce yourself there and work on a trial basis if possible. If a company hires you, you can go to an immigration office in Germany and get a “Skilled Worker Visa” that also allows you to work.
However, if you cannot find work, you will be able to stay in Germany for a complete year. And even extend this period to 2 more years.
Working Part Time on Opportunity Card in Germany
You can also work part-time in Germany during your job search time to make your living secure. Opportunity card holders are allowed by the German government to work on a trial basis in the company as well. You also do not need to ask for extra work permission if you are to work in a company for 20 hours per week part-time during the job search time.
Benefits of the Opportunity Card
Opportunity card opens a world of opportunities for non-EU workers in Germany. There are many benefits to applying for this visa such as:
- Visa based on the points calculation,
- Application submission is possible without a job offer from a German employer,
- Trial work permission in a company in Germany,
- Part-time work is allowed in Germany during the job search period,
- After finding a suitable job related to the qualification of the profession, conversion of the opportunity into a skilled worker visa,
- After converting into a skilled worker visa, family sponsorship is possible including children and spouse. parents and parents-in-law can also be invited to visit Germany.