The entry conditions for job seekers with professional degrees or vocational training have been simplified under the Residential Act (AufenthG) section 20a.  Candidates can apply if they fulfill the basic Opportunity Card requirements and obtain a minimum score of 6 points. You can calculate your eligibility for this card by clicking here:

Having a German Degree is an Edge:

If the Applicant has obtained a degree from a German university or college, have more benefits than the other candidates. They can immediately apply for this because they are allowed 18 months instead of 1 year to seek a job. 

Applicants Already Having Legal Residency in Germany:

This card is a great way to progress in your career and make good fortune. Applicants already in the country and have legal residency titles can also avail of this golden card.  They just need to apply for this at the Foreigners Registration office. Opportunities like this come along once in a lifetime, and you will be lucky if you are eligible to take advantage of them. 

1. Perform a Quick Check

There are plenty of job opportunities in Deutschland for non-Europeans. You can take a chance to apply if you have vocational training or a professional degree. Among other short labor skills, there is also a high demand for IT specialists, Doctors, nurses, engineers, train and heavy vehicle drivers, and mechatronics engineers. The following are opportunity card requirements concerning visa application and documentation and steps:

1.1. Documents Required For Applying for Visa :

Congratulations! If you have come this far, it means you are good to proceed with the Chancenkarte visa application process. You must present original documents and certificates. The following documents must be submitted along with the application.

1. Videx Application form https://videx.diplo.de/videx/visum-erfassung/videx-langfristiger-aufenthalt- and Additional Declaration form
2. Visa fee (75.00 Euros), Which is paid in cash or through a credit card at the current exchange rate 
3. A biometric photograph
   1. is not older than six months old, 
   2. Is not stapled or glued to the application
   3. Has white background
   4. 3.5×4.5cm size

4. A passport that is original, has 2 pages at least and is valid for a further 6 months

5. Birth Certificate (first registration based)

6. Certificate of School Leaving (BECE & WASSCE, WAEC)

7. Current and Previous academic study proof that is Higher Diploma, qualification, professional Training

8. Work Experience Proof (including salary slips)

9. Professional CV

10. Letter of Motivation, which must be signed by the Applicant. This letter must provide the details about the overall expectations and plans of the Applicant during their stay in Germany. Also, they must mention career choices and benefits along with future plans.

11.  Proof of financial credibility in the form of:

1. Blocked Bank Account (1027 Euro per month) with sufficient proof. ( Detail is given ahead)
2. Formal Obligation ( under sections 66-68 of GRA “Verpflichtungserklärung”) is signed by a person living in Germany. This obligation is accepted only with the proof of “nachgewiesen,” the financial credibility of the sponsor residing in the country.
3. Part-time job contract in Germany for up to 20 hours.

12. Proof of Qualifications is mandatory to get the Germany opportunity card. 

1. The applicants must fulfill all requirements, should either be a skilled worker or have scored 6 points, and have proof of English or German language. The determination of Skilled workers  ( Vocational training or professional degree ) 
2. and two years of professional training must be made through ZAB Central Office of Foreign Education) and be applied directly online using the link (https://www.kmk.org/zab/zentralstelle-fuer-auslaendisches-bildungswesen.html)

Most jobs must have a degree that is fully recognized in the home country of the Applicant or Germany.  You can find this out on the “Official Portal of Germany for Recognition of Foreign Qualifications” i.e ANERKENNUNG IN DEUTSCHLAND. 

1. Score 6 points

13. Applicants must also present proof of job search in Germany through job offers, inquiries by agencies, and email correspondence. 

14. Health Insurance proof is also a must. The insurance might be public or private that covers the Applicant’s health expenses as an expat. 

15. Residential Permit (Ghana) for Applicants who are not Ghanaian, Liberia or Sierra Leonean is must. 

Source: https://accra.diplo.de/gh-en/service/-VisaInformation/-/2656920

What is a Blocked Account?

As already discussed, the candidates must have sufficient financial means to get the opportunity card. It is kind of a guarantee that they will be able to support themselves during their 1-year stay in Germany. That is why, it is important to understand what is block account and how it works for the applicants.

Block Account Requirement for Chnacenkarte:

It is a bank account opened by international students from non-EU & European countries alike, and the visa applicants a proof of their financial credibility. 

Amount Required in Blocked Account for Chancenkarte Visa:

The required amount as per the new visa scheme is €12,324 for one year or €1027 monthly. Having this much amount in your blocked account means that you can afford to live in Germany and can pay for your accommodation, food, health-care insurance, traveling, and other expenses.

Declaration of Commitment:

Another way to provide financial proof is a “Declaration of Commitement”. It is a document which is provided by the sponsoring person on behalf of the applicant that he will be covering all the costs of the applicant during his stay in Germany. In some cities of Germany, this document can be submitted online which makes the application easier and faster. 

Open a Block Account in Germany:

Opening a block is simple and easy, it involves the following steps:

• Select a bank that provides bock account services
• Fill out the form with the correct personal and other information required by the bank
• deposit/transfer the funds in the bank.
• After getting a verification notification/email, you can now access and use the amount deposited in your block account.

(Tip: you can search for the banks who are providing this service in your target city through the search engine or by any other means)

Opportunity Card Requirements: A Quick Review

Here is an official document extracted for you to get a glance of basic opportunity card requirements.

source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com

Conclusion:

Skilled workers have a huge job market in Germany. The country wants to streamline economic growth in the future with diversified workers to deal with its labor shortage. The applicants have the golden chance to make their lives better by acquiring this opportunity card and stepping on the permanent residential pathway. The overall goal must be integration into developed German society and reaping the benefits of high standards of living.

Germany has made the immigration process simple so that more an more talent can be attracted from around the world (Non-EU countries). That is why, the opportunity card requirements are simple. This makes the immigration process quick and transparent.