Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Points-based visa allowing skilled workers to come to Germany to search for employment.
6-16 weeks
EUR 75
10 Required
7 Key Benefits
The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is Germany's new points-based immigration system launched in June 2024. It allows qualified professionals from non-EU countries to come to Germany for up to one year to search for a qualified job.
Unlike traditional work visas, you don't need a job offer before applying. Instead, you need to meet certain criteria and accumulate enough points based on your qualifications, language skills, work experience, age, and ties to Germany.
This is a game-changer for Nigerian professionals who want to explore the German job market in person. You can work up to 20 hours per week in any job while searching for qualified employment, or complete trial employment (Probearbeit) for up to 2 weeks.
- Come to Germany without a job offer
- Valid for 1 year (extendable for 2 more years if you find qualified employment)
- Work up to 20 hours/week in any job while searching
- Complete 2-week trial employment to test jobs
- Bring spouse and children (with proof of funds)
- Access to entire German job market
- Path to permanent residence if you find qualified work
- Recognized foreign qualification OR German professional/vocational qualification
- At least 6 points from the points system
- German language skills (at least A1) OR English language skills (at least B2)
- Proof of sufficient funds (€1,027/month)
- Health insurance coverage
- Valid Nigerian passport (valid beyond intended stay)
- Completed national visa application form
- Biometric passport photos
- Degree certificates with certified translations
- Credential recognition from anabin or ZAB (if applicable)
- Language certificates (Goethe-Institut, IELTS, TOEFL)
- Proof of funds (blocked account or scholarship letter)
- CV/Resume in German or English
- Health insurance proof
- Previous employment references
- 1
Verify your qualification is recognized in Germany (use anabin database or apply to ZAB)
- 2
Take German or English language test if needed
- 3
Calculate your points to ensure you meet minimum (6 points)
- 4
Open blocked account (Sperrkonto) with required funds
- 5
Book appointment at German Embassy Lagos or Abuja
- 6
Prepare all documents with certified translations
- 7
Attend visa interview
- 8
Wait for visa processing
- 9
Once approved, travel to Germany and register locally
- 10
Begin job search while working up to 20 hours/week
- Points System breakdown: Qualification recognition (4 points), German B1 (3 points), German B2 (4 points), English B2 (1 point), Work experience 2+ years (2 points), 5+ years in shortage occupation (4 points), Age under 35 (2 points), Previous stay in Germany (1 point), IT skills proof (1 point)
- Nigerian degrees in Engineering, IT, Healthcare, and Sciences often recognized
- STEM graduates have higher success rates
- Consider applying for degree recognition well in advance (can take 3-4 months)
- Join Facebook groups and LinkedIn networks for job leads
- National visa application feeEUR 75
- ZAB credential evaluation (if needed)EUR 200
- Blocked account minimum (€1,027 × 12)EUR 12,324
* Fees are subject to change. Always verify on the official website.
Germany
Europe
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