Employment opportunities among the Germans have recently changed greatly and this has opened up the German job market for foreign workers. The German government has recently launched the Opportunity Card scheme which is considered to be unique and primarily focused on the attracting of the foreign workers with the use of a special card.

This card allows the respective competent persons to come to Germany and look for a job within one year without having to present an employment contract at the time of entry. This proposal aims at enhancing the management of the international talent in the German labour market in view of the current human resource deficit most notably in the IT, engineering and healthcare fields.

To be eligible for the Opportunity Card, applicants must meet certain criteria, including having recognized qualifications, relevant work experience, or proficiency in the German language. The card operates on a points-based system, where factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills contribute to an individual’s score.

The Opportunity Card is provided to the candidates qualified as skilled employees or those who gather 6 points using the points system. All other applicants must have completed a foreign university degree, a vocational education degree or a certification from the German chamber of commerce abroad, and at least an A1 level CEFR in German or B2 CEFR in English.

It is easier for candidates to acquire jobs in Germany with the Opportunity Card. It enables candidates to work in Germany without having to go through a drawn-out recognition procedure.

Germany Opportunity Card Eligibility
If you are from a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and would like to apply for a German Opportunity Card, there are two options:

Option 1: You are a national of a country which is a member of the European Union and you possess a foreign professional or academic qualification that is fully recognized in Germany. In this case you have received the university degree or the qualification as a professional in Germany.

If the applicant got a university degree or any other professional qualification in Germany, then he can immediately apply for the jobseeker residence permit according to the Section 20 of the Residence Act. This means that you have more time (18 months as opposed to one year) to search for a job and you’re free to engage in part-time work during this time.

Option 2: You score a minimum of six points in the points system in addition to meeting the following requirements:

In case the applicant received university degree or any other professional qualification in Germany he can right away apply for the jobseeker residence permit punctually to the Section 20 of the Residence Act.