Opportunity Card Germany 2024
If you are a skilled worker or have a university degree, you can apply for the “Chancenkarte 2024” to move to Germany. The Germany Opportunity Card allows applicants to stay in the country for up to one year without any prior job offer. They must fulfill the basic criteria and have proven support during this period.
What is the Germany Opportunity Card?
Opportunity card (Chancenkarte in Germany) is a newly designed point-based visa system that allows eligible non-EU candidates to work and earn legally in Germany. It also provides a chance for permanent residency in the country. The applicants of opportunity cards are evaluated based on qualification, vocational training, work experience, language proficiency, and age.
Why “ChancenKarte” is Launched?
Germany launched a new visa scheme on 1st June 2024 for non-EU skilled workers and degree holders to immigrate to the country without sponsorship or employment contracts. The government has simplified the immigration process to attract a more qualified/trained workforce to address its “ shortage of labor force”.
Understand the Opportunity Card Germany Point system:
As already mentioned, the job search card uses a point system to evaluate the candidates. This new legal German Act allows controlled access to job-seekers to find jobs in the country. It streamlines the immigration process for qualified individuals to enter its territories.
Point-System of Chancenkarte:
These points are distributed among the following key factors according to the official website of the government in both English and German respectively:
| Basic Requirement Checklist | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Training and Education | 4 |
| Degree/ Qualification in “labor shortage occupation category” | 1 |
| Professional/Work Experience | 3 |
| Language Proficiency | 3 |
| Age | 2 |
| Early visits to/ Time spend in Germany | 1 |
| Spouse/ Registered partner who also wants to apply for an Opportunity card | 1 |
How to Obtain Points To Be Eligible To Enter Germany:
There are two ways to apply for this card:
Fully Recognized Degree or Qualification:
Candidates with foreign academic degrees or vocational qualifications through German colleges and universities are immediately eligible for Chancenkarte as a recognized skilled worker. They do not need to accumulate extra points or scores to apply.
Accumulate a Minimum of 6 Points to Apply for Germany Opportunity Card:
You can earn 6 points to be eligible for the card. Your points are added up as follows:
Partial Recognition of Foreign Qualification- 4 Points:
You receive 4 points if you have permission to practice a regulated profession i.e. engineering, nursing, teaching, etc., or have a foreign professional degree/ qualification as partial recognition. However, regulated professions still need licenses or other compensatory measures before practicing.
Qualification in Labor Shortage Occupation- 1 Point
You can easily earn 1 point if you have the qualification or vocational training experience in an occupation facing a labor shortage. The government has provided a list of the occupations where you can find if your occupation falls into this category or not.
Professional Experience- 3 Points:
This point is quite easy to acquire if you have job experience. If you have two years of professional experience in the relevant field that you acquired within five years after qualification you will get 2 points. Also, you can earn the same points if you have acquired five years of professional experience in your country of origin within the last seven years.
Language Proficiency- 3 points:
The candidates can earn up to 3 points if they are up to level B2 or higher (Measured by CEFR) in the German language. 2 points if they are at level B1 and 1 point at level A2. For native English language speakers or at level C1 (CEFR) additional point is given.
Age- 2 Points
The candidates who are younger than 35 will earn 2 points and if they are between 35-40 they will get 1 point.
Visits or Time spent in Germany Earlier- 1 point:
If you have visited Germany within the last five years for at least 6 months for any purpose like education, employment, etc. you get 1 additional point. Tourism does not count in this stay and also you must provide documented proof of your visit and stay in Germany.
Language Skill Level
| German Language (CEFR) | English Language Tests |
|---|---|
| A1 (simple sentences in German) | IELTS |
| A2 (Basic Knowledge) | TOEFL |
| B1 (Intermediate level understanding) | Cambridge Certificates |
| B2 ( Medium Level) | |
| C1 (Advanced Level) | |
| C2 (Excellent/ Speak like natives) |
Additional Points:
Joint Application with your Spouse/ Registered Partner:
In case, your spouse or partner also wants to move to Germany and apply for Chancenkarte with you. You will be awarded one extra point if she/he has earned 6 points.
Financial Credibility to Avail Chancenkarte Germany:
It is important to note that, to be eligible to acquire the benefits of an Opportunity Card, you must have enough financial resources to fund your expenses in Germany. You can use your blocked bank account (which must contain at least 1030 Euros monthly or 12,360 Euros as an annual fund) or present a declaration of commitment to the relevant authorities.
Legal Documents:
It must also be noted that the legal documents and evidence for the visa application process of opportunity card Germany should support all information required by the authorities.
Germany Opportunity Card Self-Check:
This points calculator helps you evaluate your chances of immigrating to Germany:
Germany Opportunity Card Points Calculator
Who is Not Eligible for Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card Germany)?
Every candidate who fulfills the basic criteria and earns 6 points is eligible for the card. Eligible job seekers can obtain a visa in less than 90 days after applying. However, the following persons cannot get chancenkarte to enter Germany.
What Are The Benefits of Getting an Opportunity Card:
Once a non-EU candidate gets an Opportunity Card, he/she can:
There are various other benefits of getting job-seeking opportunities in Germany through this card. The candidate and employers will be enjoying these benefits in the long run.
Conclusion:
Opportunity Card Germany is not only a gateway for job seekers to a bright future and to live in Europe. It’s also a great strategy designed by the German government to address its labor shortage and ensure sustainable economic growth. The Chancenkarte provides two pathways to enter Germany legally so that a maximum number of people can avail the opportunity and fill the labor shortage gap.
So, if you are looking for unique job positions in a foreign land, Germany’s new visa scheme (Chnacenkarte Germany) could be the best option.
Example of German Opportunity Card Point Calculations
Rajesh Malhotra:
Rajesh is a 38-year-old Electrical Engineer and belongs from India. He has done MSC in Electrical Engineering. The German government partially recognizes his degree. He has 5 years of work experience and has lived in Germany for 6 months 4 years ago in search of a job. He speaks English at C1 level. His profession falls in the bottleneck category and is highly in demand in Germany.
Calculation of Score:
1 point: He is less than 40 (between 36-40)
3 points: He has 5 years of experience
4 points: His degree is recognized partially in German
1 point: Proficient in English at C1 level
1 point: Lived in Germany as a non-tourist for at least 6 months uninterruptedly
1 point: Qualification has high demand in Germany
Total Points: 11
Merylin Noah:
Merylin Noah is 30 years old and from Brazil. She is a software engineer by profession. She has a Master’s degree in computer science and worked for 4 years in her field. She can speak English at the C1 level and German at the B level. She dreams of living and working in Germany although she has never been to Germany before.
Calculation of Score:
2 point: She is under 35
1 point: She can speak English at the C1 level
3 Points: She can speak German at B2 Level
Total points: 6
Do you still want to know more?
Here are frequently asked questions to make these points more clear.