How do I get the Opportunity Card in Germany?
There are two different ways to get the Opportunity Card:
You have at least 6 points in the points system
What are points for on the points card?
Anyone who can secure their livelihood but does not have a university degree must have at least 6 points according to the points system in order to receive an opportunity card.
There are different numbers of points for different areas:
- 4 points : a foreign professional qualification that is equivalent to a German qualification (even if additional training is necessary)
- 3 points : at least 5 years of professional experience or good knowledge of German
- 2 points : at least 2 years of professional experience, sufficiently good knowledge of German (B1 level), people under 35 years of age
- 1 point : sufficient knowledge of German, lived in Germany for at least 6 months in the last 5 years, people between 35 and 40 years old, good knowledge of English (C1 level), the qualification corresponds to a bottleneck occupation, spouses or registered life partners also meet the requirements Opportunity card
After individually assessing your individual situation, you will be given the Opportunity Card
For most of those affected, the points system is usually relevant. Points are awarded here for various knowledge, characteristics and qualifications according to a defined system. Applicants must achieve at least 6 points in order to qualify for the opportunity card.
In addition to the points system, there can and should be other criteria that must be met in order to increase the prospect of receiving an opportunity card. These include:
You can support you Livelihood in Germany
Subsistence must be guaranteed ( Section 5 Residence Act ). Costs for food, rent and the like must be covered without government help.
The responsible immigration authorities create a forecast that takes your own assets and expected length of stay into account. For this purpose, you can also provide a declaration of commitment or provide proof of a blocked account. For the Opportunity Card, this is a maximum of one year. In addition, you cannot just apply for part-time positions; those affected must actively look for full-time positions.
Getting an Opportunity Card gets easier if you are a qualified professional or specialist
As a “professional” with a recognized degree/professional qualification, anyone can apply for a residence permit. Requirement of it is:
- a professional qualification that is comparable to German qualified vocational training, or
- a university degree that is comparable to a German degree ( Section 18 Para. 3 Residence Act ).
Anyone who meets these requirements no longer has to adhere to the points system, but can directly receive a job search visa upon application.
You have basic German language skills
Applicants should have at least “basic language skills” in German. This corresponds to an A1 level to enter Germany.
Overview of the rules for non-EU nationals
1. General
Non-EU nationals (hereinafter: foreigners) are only allowed to work in Germany if their residence permit allows it. Companies are only allowed to employ them if they have such a residence permit. The employment permit as well as any restrictions are included in the residence permit.The conditions under which foreigners are to be granted an employment permit are essentially governed by Sections 18 ff. of the Residence Act and the Employment Ordinance (BeschV).
2. Change of employer
Before changing employers, the existing work permit must be checked: Is it issued generally or limited to a specific company? Depending on this, a new application must be submitted for the new job.The requirements for changing employers depend on the respective residence permit and, in some cases, also on the passage of time. The new law makes things easier for people with a Blue Card.
3. Residence permit from another country
A work permit from another country, including an EU country, does not entitle you to work in Germany. Exceptions are ICT with registration and short-term mobility of people with a blue card (see below).
4. Easier access for nationals of certain countries: Best Friends rule and Western Balkans rule
Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, USA and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland can obtain a work permit regardless of the employer’s location: there are no qualification requirements. However, the employment agency carries out a priority check here (Section 26 Paragraph 1 Employment Ordinance), which means that it checks whether there are people who have priority for the specific job. For citizens of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, consent for any type of employment can be granted under certain conditions – the so-called Western Balkans regulation. Among other things, there must be a binding job or training offer from an employer in Germany (Section 26 (2) BeschV).
5. Temporary work / temporary employment
A residence permit for employment in the temporary employment industry (temporary work, temporary employment) is generally not possible Exception: A residence permit can be issued for employment in a temporary employment agency for which approval from the employment agency is not required. This is the case with certain variants of the Blue Card and refugees from Ukraine (see below).