Germany Opportunity Card
The Opportunity Card enables foreign skilled workers from third countries to stay in Germany for one year, even without a university degree.
Germany Opportunity Card
The Opportunity Card enables foreign skilled workers from third countries to stay in Germany for one year, even without a university degree.
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Working in Germany with the Opportunity Card
Key Benefits of the Opportunity Card:
- Simplified, Legal Entry to Germany
- Financial Security through Competitive Salaries
- Pathway to Permanent Residency
- Work Authorization Upon Successful Application
Canadian Experience Class Immigration Program
Who Wish to Become Permanent Residents
Working with the Opportunity Card in Germany:
Requirements for Obtaining the Opportunity Card
Need more information or have questions about Germany Opportunity Card ?
Points Breakdown for the Opportunity Card
- Basic Qualifications: A1-level German or B2-level English proficiency, a minimum of two years of vocational training or a university degree recognized in your country, and financial security (e.g., a part-time employment contract). No points are awarded for meeting these basic requirements.
- 1 Points: Applicants who are under 40 or have previously lived in Germany for at least six months (excluding tourist visits) can receive one point. Proof of prior residence is required.
- 2 Points: Given two years of work experience following vocational training (within the last five years). Additionally, if you're 35 years old or younger, or if you possess B1-level German proficiency, you earn two points.
- 3 Points: Given for a total of five years of professional experience (within the last seven years) in your trained field, with two years of prior vocational training. Alternatively, you receive 3 points for achieving B2-level German proficiency.
- 4 Points: Granted for partial recognition of foreign professional qualifications or permission to practice a regulated profession, such as teaching, nursing, or engineering. Few candidates typically meet this criterion.
- 1 Additional Point: Granted for C1-level English proficiency, A2-level German proficiency, completing vocational training/university education in a field experiencing labor shortages in Germany, or applying for the Opportunity Card with a spouse.
Benefits of the Opportunity Card
Opportunity Card for Non-EU Applicants
Key Benefits for You
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Advantages of the Opportunity Card at a Glance:
- Simplified Pathway to Enter Germany
- 12-Month Residency with the Option for Permanent Stay
- Potential Monthly Income Exceeding €1,000
- Work Permit for Jobs Up to 20 Hours Per Week
- Opportunity to Secure Part-Time or Full-Time Employment
The Opportunity Card for Employers
Benefits for Employers
Key Benefits of the Opportunity Card for Employers:
- Access to a Broader Talent Pool of Qualified Foreign Workers
- Streamlined Legal Framework for Easier Entry to Germany
- No Federal Employment Agency Approval Required
- Simplified Fast-Track Approval for Quick Employment
- Ability to Offer Simple Employment Contracts (up to 20 hours per week at minimum wage) to Candidates Before Arrival
The Opportunity Card is a special residence permit for non-EU nationals that allows them to enter Germany to search for work without a pre-existing job offer.
It also gives candidates the flexibility to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and participate in two-week trial jobs.
During their stay, individuals can also have their vocational qualifications recognized.
The Opportunity Card is issued for a period of one year. If you secure employment during this time, your future residence in Germany won’t rely on the Opportunity Card. However, if you fail to find employment within the year, the permit cannot be automatically extended.
The Opportunity Card eases the process for non-EU nationals to enter Germany, search for employment, and eventually secure permanent residency if they meet the required conditions. It also helps employers gain access to a broader range of skilled workers to fill labor gaps.
Germany is projected to face a shortage of 16 million skilled workers by 2060 if immigration levels don’t increase. Many businesses are already dependent on foreign talent to meet their workforce demands, and the Opportunity Card provides a solution for both applicants and companies.
If you’re outside of Germany, you can apply for the Opportunity Card at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country. If you’re already in Germany, the application can be submitted at the local Foreigners’ Registration Office.
ides a solution for both applicants and companies.
No, you do not need a permanent job offer to apply for the Opportunity Card. However, you must meet other requirements such as language proficiency, qualifications, and financial stability.
Yes, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while you search for full-time employment or undergo the recognition process for your qualifications.
The points system evaluates applicants based on criteria such as language skills, professional experience, qualifications, and age. You must accumulate at least six points to qualify for the Opportunity Card.
A recognition partnership allows skilled workers to begin working in Germany while their qualifications are being officially recognized. This partnership involves an agreement between the employer and the worker to complete the recognition process.
Yes, if you find full-time employment and meet the necessary requirements, you can apply for a different residence permit or permanent residency, allowing you to stay in Germany long-term.
Currently, there is no fixed limit on the number of Opportunity Cards issued. However, if demand grows beyond capacity, the German authorities may introduce quotas.
If you previously held an Opportunity Card but left Germany, you can reapply for the card after taking a break of at least one year.
IT professionals are not required to have a formal degree to qualify for the Opportunity Card, but they must demonstrate at least two years of work experience in the field and meet the salary threshold.
Self-employment is not allowed under the Opportunity Card unless you switch to a different residence permit that allows it. However, you are permitted to work part-time or take trial jobs under the Opportunity Card.
No, the Opportunity Card is only valid for employment in Germany. To work in another EU country, you must apply for a separate work permit for that country.
Family reunification is not automatically granted with the Opportunity Card. However, you can apply for family reunification after securing a different residence permit that allows it.
The Opportunity Card is designed for work, not for academic studies. If you wish to study, you would need to apply for a student visa or residence permit specific to academic purposes.
If your qualifications are not immediately recognized, you may apply for a residence permit for a qualification analysis, which will assess your skills and allow you to demonstrate your competence through work samples, interviews, or trial jobs.
To be eligible for the Opportunity Card, you need to meet certain criteria. If you’re a recognized skilled worker, the key requirement is that you can support yourself financially. For applicants going through the points-based system, you must score at least six points. The criteria include:
- Language skills
- Work experience
- Age
- Connection to Germany
You can calculate your points for the Opportunity Card using our online points calculator.
To qualify for the Opportunity Card, you need to demonstrate basic proficiency in German (A1 level) or English (B2 level). The language skills contribute to the points system used to assess applicants. For example, A2-level German will give you one point, B1-level adds two points, and B2-level grants three points. Advanced English proficiency (C1 level) provides an extra point, even if you already have German language skills.
- GER (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): This widely recognized framework assesses skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing, with levels ranging from A1 (basic) to C2 (proficient). Free placement tests are available online, and certifications cover beginner to proficient levels.
- Goethe Certificate: Offered by the Goethe-Institut, this test is internationally recognized and provides certifications from A1 to C2. It also offers online courses. Exam fees range between 100 and 300 euros.
- TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language): Suitable for higher levels, from B2 to C1, this test is conducted digitally at over 1,000 test centers worldwide. The cost is around 215 euros.
- DSD (German Language Diploma): This test is aimed at foreign students and is offered at two levels—DSD1 and DSD2. It is conducted globally at specialized schools twice a year and is free of charge.
- TOEFL: This test assesses reading, listening, speaking, and writing abilities. It takes about four hours to complete and costs approximately 200 euros. Registration is required in advance.
- IELTS: Available in both British and American English, IELTS offers two versions—general and academic. The test duration is roughly three hours, and the fee is around 226 euros.
- Cambridge Certificate: The Cambridge test offers levels from A1 (basic) to C2 (proficient). It is available in over 2,700 centers worldwide, with exam fees of around 200 euros.
The EU Blue Card is designed for university graduates seeking to work in Germany, requiring a minimum annual salary of 58,400 euros. Skilled workers who have held an EU Blue Card in another EU country for at least 18 months can move to Germany without needing a visa. Employers can apply for this card on behalf of potential employees at local Foreigners’ Registration Offices.
In contrast, the Opportunity Card is a more flexible option for skilled workers from non-EU countries. It allows individuals to live in Germany for up to a year without the requirement of a university degree. However, applicants must have completed at least two years of vocational training and demonstrate basic language skills in either German (A1) or English (B2). Through the Opportunity Card, skilled workers can pursue qualified employment.
The three main pathways are Skilled Labour (for those with university degrees or recognized vocational training), Experience (for professionals with at least two years of experience), and Potential (points-based, assessing applicants for the Opportunity Card). For the Opportunity Card, you need two years of vocational training, basic language skills (German A1 or English B2), and proof of financial resources through part-time work.
The Experience Pathway requires a degree or vocational training and a job offer in Germany, allowing skilled workers to work in non-regulated professions. The Potential Pathway, via the Opportunity Card, doesn’t require a job offer but needs vocational training, language skills, and financial proof.
The Opportunity Card does not guarantee family reunification unless you switch to a different residence permit. However, if your spouse also applies, children may accompany you.
It can take weeks to months, depending on where you apply and the processing times at the Foreigners’ Registration Office or German missions abroad.
You must meet certain criteria, such as enhanced language skills or new qualifications. Finding a job in Germany can also help extend your stay or switch to a permanent residence permit.
Yes, it’s valid for one year and can be extended for up to two more years. After leaving Germany, you can reapply after a one-year break.
If you lack formal documentation of your skills, you can apply for a permit for qualification assessment, involving practical evaluations like interviews or work trials. Basic German (A1) is required for this process.
You must show financial stability, such as 12,324 euros in a blocked account or proof of part-time work in Germany.
No, the Opportunity Card is only valid in Germany. To work elsewhere, you must apply for permits in other EU countries.
You can access language and integration courses in major cities. These courses help you improve your German and understand the culture, recommended for long-term stays.
The Opportunity Card allows work, not studies. For academic programs, you need to apply separately to universities and may need German language proficiency or transferable credits.
Non-regulated professions like IT or journalism require qualification recognition, assessed by German authorities. Once approved, you can work in Germany and may qualify for a work permit.
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