Germany has launched the Opportunity Card to entice skilled workers from outside the European Union to come to the country and seek work for up to a year if they fulfil the right criteria.

“We are ensuring that workers and skilled workers that our economy has urgently needed for years can come to our country,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Saturday.

The move is seen as a significant step forward in Germany’s efforts to attract much-needed talent from around the world to support its economic growth and development.

By providing this opportunity for skilled individuals to explore job prospects in Germany, the government aims to better meet the labour demands of various industries facing workforce shortages.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Opportunity Card, applicants must have at least two years of vocational training or hold a university degree recognised in the country where it was obtained. They must also demonstrate proficiency in either German or English.

The eligibility for the scheme will be determined based on a points system that considers an applicant’s language skills, professional experience, age, and ties to Germany. A minimum of six points is required to obtain the Opportunity Card.

Once in possession of the card, individuals will be able to enter Germany and actively search for a job for up to one year. During this period, they can work up to 20 hours per week in part-time or trial positions.

This new visa scheme removes the previous requirement for non-EU residents seeking employment in Germany to have a job contract with a German company before being granted entry. The goal is to make it easier for skilled workers from around the world to explore job opportunities in the country and help address the acute labour shortages faced by various industries.

The scoring system

Even if applicants do not directly qualify as skilled workers, they can still obtain the required minimum of six points to receive the Opportunity Card through a combination of the following factors:

Partial Recognition of Foreign Qualifications: Applicants who have undergone the process of recognizing their foreign qualifications and have been granted partial equivalence will receive four points.

Shortage Occupation: If the applicant’s qualification falls under a designated shortage occupation, where there is a lack of skilled labour in Germany, they will receive one additional point.

Professional Experience: Applicants with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience acquired within the last 5 years will receive 2 points, while those with at least 3 years of experience in the last 7 years will receive three points.

Language Skills: Proficiency in German at the A2 level earns 1 point, B1 level earns 2 points, and B2 or higher earns three points. An additional point is awarded for C1 or native-level English skills.

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Age: Applicants aged 35 or younger will receive two points, while those between 35 and 40 will receive one point.

Relation to Germany: Those who have resided legally and continuously in Germany for at least 6 months in the last 5 years, excluding tourist visits, will receive one additional point.

Joint Application with Partner: If the applicant applies together with their spouse or registered partner, and both meet the requirements, one extra point can be awarded to one of the applications.