Germany Opportunity Card: recognised qualification or points route?
Germany’s Opportunity Card has a no-points route for fully recognised qualifications; otherwise, eligible applicants must meet the entry conditions and score at least six points.
Your first task is to determine whether Germany already recognises your qualification fully. If it does, you can use the no-points route; otherwise, you normally enter the points system.
When is a qualification recognised in Germany?
For an academic qualification, check ANABIN. The institution should have H+ status, and the specific degree must be listed as comparable to a German qualification.
For a vocational qualification, recognition comes from the German authority responsible for that occupation. The official Recognition in Germany portal identifies the responsible body and explains the recognition procedure.
Full vocational recognition is documented through an Anerkennungsbescheid (recognition decision). A partial recognition or deficit decision should not be treated as full recognition for the no-points route. It can instead contribute four points under the points system.
Applicants with full recognition can review the Chancenkarte checklist for recognised qualifications.
What if Germany has not fully recognised your qualification?
The points route first requires an eligible qualification. This is generally an academic degree or a vocational qualification involving at least two years of training, state-recognised in the country where it was obtained.
You must also demonstrate German at A1 or above, or English at B2 or above. You then need at least six points from factors including partial recognition, higher language skills, relevant professional experience, age, a shortage occupation, previous residence in Germany, or a joint application with an eligible spouse.
Use the official Opportunity Card self-check before relying on a provisional score. The corresponding document requirements are covered in the points-based Chancenkarte checklist.
Requirements shared by both routes
Both routes require secured living costs. Applicants must show €1,091 per month, or €13,092 in a blocked account for twelve months, unless another accepted funding method applies.
The initial Opportunity Card can be issued for up to one year. During that period, holders may work part time for up to 20 hours weekly and undertake trial employment lasting up to two weeks per employer.