Apply online for the Opportunity Card
The Opportunity Card – overview
The Opportunity Card is a residence permit that allows workers from third countries to enter Germany in order to seek employment. It can also be used to search for measures to recognise foreign professional qualifications in Germany.
More so, 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 recognised vocational qualification in Germany, you can apply for the Opportunity Card as a recognised 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 recognised 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 online application for the Opportunity Card
Register on the Consular Services Portal and apply online for your visa.
Germany Jobs Opportunity Card for job search
Completion of a degree or at least two years of training that is recognised by the state obtained from.
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.
The scoring system at a glance
If the basic requirements listed above are fulfilled and 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.
Partial recognition of a foreign educational qualification
If you have already undergone the procedure for recognising 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 licence to practise.
4 points
Germany Jobs Qualification in a shortage occupation
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 labour. In the list of shortage occupations linked here, you can find out whether your occupational field is one of them.
1 point
Professional experience
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.
2-3 points
Language skills
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.
1-4 points
Age
People who are not older than 35 years of age receive two points. One point is awarded for ages between 35 and 40.
1-2 points
Relation to Germany Jobs
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.
1 point
Joint applications with your partner
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.
1 point
Please note that all details relating to the above criteria must be supported by appropriate evidence or certificates.
Further information regarding applying for and obtaining the Opportunity Card
When applying, it needs proof that your professional qualification is recognised by the state either in Germany or in the country in which it was obtained. You can obtain this information from the Central Office for Foreign Education. If you have completed training at a Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) that fulfils the requirements of the German Vocational Training Act, this certificate is sufficient. The Chamber of Commerce Abroad or the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BiBB) can provide you with information on whether your qualification fulfils these requirements.
Proof that you are able to support yourself for the duration of your stay in Germany can be provided in the form of a blocked account or a declaration of commitment, for example. At least 1,027 euros per month (as of 2024) are generally required.
Germany job, further more requires during your stay for the purpose of finding a job, you have the opportunity to work up to 20 hours a week in a part-time job. In addition, you can take up trial jobs for up to two weeks at a time to familiarise yourself with potential jobs.
Still have questions?
Frequently asked questions and answers with more information on how to use the Consular Services Portal and the online application process can be found in our FAQ section. Take a look and see if you can find the answer to your question.
Find out more about Germany Jobs.
Visa Navigator
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Consulate Finder
Use the Consulate Finder to quickly and easily find the German mission responsible for you.
Make it in Germany
As the Federal Government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad, Make it in Germany provides extensive information about working and living in Germany.
Federal Foreign Office
More so, The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.
