The Opportunity Card (“Chancenkarte”)
The following basic requirements must be fulfilled for the Opportunity Card:
sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay in Germany.
To apply as a skilled worker: University degree or vocational qualification obtained or recognised in Germany.
To apply on a points basis: Completion of a degree or at least two years of vocational training that is recognised by the state in which it was obtained.
To apply on a points basis: 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).
Scoring system (minimum 6 points)
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
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.
1 point
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
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
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
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
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
1 point
