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Opportunity Card
Opportunity card © https://www.canva.com/
How to apply?
You can easily apply for your visa online via the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office. Fill out your application form online and upload your documents. Your details and documents will then be checked for completeness. You will receive feedback as to whether your documents are complete and have been submitted successfully.
You will then receive the link to book an appointment at the visa section. At this appointment, your identity and original documents will be checked, a short interview will be conducted, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be recorded and the fee will be paid.
General information
The opportunity card is a feature in the German Residence Act allowing eligible people to come to Germany to look for a job. As well as looking for a job, successful applicants can also take part in additional training for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Germany.
There are two ways to obtain the opportunity card:
- Third-country nationals who can prove full equivalence of their foreign qualification and are thus considered to be skilled workers can receive an opportunity card without meeting any other special requirements if they provide evidence that they can support themselves.
- All other applicants have to provide proof that they have completed a degree from a foreign university, an at least two-year vocational qualification (both of which need to be officially recognised by the country in which they were completed) or a vocational qualification issued by one of the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad. In addition, applicants need to have either basic German (level A1, ussed by Goethe Institute) or intermediate English skills (level B2, accoriding to TOEFEL standard).If these requirements are met, varying numbers of points can be collected for criteria such as recognition of the qualification in Germany, language skills, professional experience, age or connection to Germany, as well as an eligible civil partner or spouse who is accompanying you. You need at least 6 points to be granted the opportunity card.
The opportunity card is issued for a maximum of one year provided you can support yourself for this period. During your time looking for a job in Germany, you can complete work trials or engage in secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
What documents do I need?
Instruction:
The following documents have to be submitted as indicated below:
• Sort your application according to this list.
• The required documents must be submitted in full at the personal interview. Documents sent in advance cannot be considered.
• Do not staple any of the documents.
• Copies need to be in DIN A4 format and black/white. Copies in color will not be accepted.
• Incomplete and unsorted applications will not be accepted.
Please Note: The Consulate General reserves the right to request further documents.
All information is without guarantee for correctness and completeness. They are based on the information available to the consulate at the time of creation.
Sorting list for you to print
Opportunity Card (Please bring with you to your interview)
Sorting list with explanation:
- signed declaration by applicant (or legeal guardian) with place and date
- signed Regulations by applicant (or legeal guardian) with place and date
- original passport + copy of data page
- issued in the last 10 years
- valid for at least 6 more months
- at least two free pages
- as proof of a legal residence status in Nigeria
- only for applicants with a nationality other than Nigerian
There are two ways to qualify for the Opportunity Card:
1. Qualification fully recognised in Germany
Full recognition of your university degree or vocational qualification is required.
- More information on how to recognise your University decree
- More information on how to recognise your vocational training
2. Qualification not (fully) recognised in Germany
a) vocational training recognised in Nigeria with a Foreign Vocational Qualification
or
prior partial equivalence recognition procedure completed (procedure for recognising your foreign qualification)
b) Completed recognised category A vocational education and training at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK)
c) University degree with Statement of Comparability
PLUS:
- German language skills at least A1 or English at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); and
- At least 6 points via the point system
All you need to know about the opportunity card
if you are an unskilled worker, you must score at least 6 points from the following requirements:
| Requirements | Points |
a) If you have already undergone the procedure for recognising your foreign qualification and partial equivalence has been established as a result. The same applies in the case of a regulated profession if compensatory measures are still required for the licence to practise. Check here how you can recognize your qualifications | 4 |
| b) Language certificate German B2 or better | 3 |
| c) Language certificate German B1 | 2 |
| d) Language certificate German A2 | 1 |
| e) Language certificate English C1 or better | 1 |
| f) At least 5 years of professional experience in the last 7 years related to the professional qualification | 3 |
| g) At least 2 years of professional experience in the last 5 years related to the professional qualification | 2 |
h) Professional qualification in a so-called shortage occupation Here you can find a list with shortage occupations | 1 |
| i) you are between 18 - 35 years old | 2 |
| j) you are between 35 - 40 years old | 1 |
| k) you have resided legally and continuously in Germany for at least 6 months in the last 5 years (no tourist visits) | 1 |
| l) If your spouse or registered partner meets the requirements for the issuance of the Opportunity Card. | 1 |
| Total points (at least 6 points) |
Proof required for claimed points:
a) Recognition letter
b)–e) Language certificates (including English)
f)–g) Work contracts, employer statements, salary slips
h) Short explanation of shortage occupation qualification
k) German residence permit, entry/exit stamps
l) Partner's proof of qualification
Including the following details:
- specification of certificates, diplomas, and qualifications obtained
- professional training
- work experience
- signed by the applicant
- detailed expectations regarding the planned stay
- anticipated career and personal benefits, as well as future plans
proof of recent job place search in Germany,
e.g.
- email correspondence regarding applications,
- job offers,
- agency enquiries,
- etc.
with a minimum amount of €1,091 for each month.
For births before December 15, 1992
1. Certified copy of the local birth register extract based on the first registration
and
2. Affidavit* (“Declaration of Age”) of one parent or the head of the family** if both parents are deceased
and
3. Copy of an identity document showing the signature of the person making the affidavit
For births at or after December 15, 1992
1. NPC birth certificate, issued from the NPC of your place of birth
if you do not have a birth certificate from the NPC:
1. Certified copy of the local birth register extract based on the first registration
and
2. Affidavit* (“Declaration of Age”) of one parent or the head of the family**
and
3. Copy of an identity document showing the signature of the person making the affidavit
* If necessary with a note of illiteracy, preferable e-Affidavit
** Head of family and at least 10 years older than the applicant
issued by the official registrar
For example, if you changed your name or there was a mistake on any of your documents
e.g.
- Affidavit of Change of Names (with the published newspaper advertisment)
- Affidavit of Reconciliation of Names
- Affidavit of Spinster- / Bachelorhood
- Affidavit of Facts
• if necessary, with a note of illiteracy
• issued by the competent court
Additionally, a copy of an identification document must be submitted showing the signature of the person making the affidavit
that prove your identity
Examples:
- hospital birth registration
- weighing card
- baptism certificate
- voter ID card
- vaccination certificate
- other expired passports
in chronological order
- Primary
- Secondary school
- WAEC or National diploma
- Bachelor Degree
- Masters Degree
- all originals for the copies mentioned above must be submitted in chronological order.
Your original documents will be returned to you once your application has been processed.
- not older than 6 months
- uniform white background
- size: 3,5x4,5 cm
not glued or stapled to the application form
• a self-addressed prepaid courier envelope from any major courier service, addressed to yourself (please ensure that the address is legible to facilitate delivery).
