The German government has started a dedicated portal for applying for the Opportunity Card online. Currently, citizens of Brazil, China, and Bosnia and Herzegovina can use it to submit online applications.
There are in total 23 countries, from where applicants can submit the online application for the opportunity card. Countries other than these will have to apply for this visa through the conventional embassy and consulate system.
The federal government started the opportunity card known in German as “Chancenkarte” on 1 June. Prospective foreigners from third countries can submit applications without a job offer for this one-year job search visa program. The system works on the fast track, with basic requirements of age, qualification, language proficiency, and work experience.
Where can you apply opportunity card online?
Overall, the online portal will entertain applicants from 23 countries around the world which are:
| Australia | Hong Kong | Kyrgyzstan | Spain |
| Brazil | India | Malaysia | Sweden |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Japan | Nigeria | Tanzania |
| China | Jordan | Norway | Uganda |
| Denmark | Kenya | Philippines | United Kingdom |
| Ghana | Kosovo | Serbia |
The nationals of other countries will have to apply currently the opportunity card through the embassy or consulate of Germany in their country of origin.
How to apply for the opportunity card online?
You can use the online digital portal of the “German Government” here to apply for the opportunity card. You have to create an account there through your email address. Afterwards, the application portal provides you options to fill in the information required and upload the documents. Further information is provided once the initial application procedure is complete.
Please note the online portal is not fully active for all countries. But with every day passing, the more other countries in the list are also being provided online application option.
What is an opportunity card?
The opportunity card of Germany is a newly introduced job search visa of one year. Interested applicants can apply for it if they hold a university degree or vocational qualification. If the qualification is recognized from Germany, direct application without points based system is possible. In other case, you must score 6 points to be eligible for the visa approval.
Furthermore, under points based system, language proficiency such as in German A1 or English B2 and related work experience is mandatory. Extra points can also be scored if you you below 40 years of age, your spouse is also qualified as you, your occupation is from bottleneck occupations list, and if you have stayed previously in Germany. You must also prove that you can sustain yourself in the first year in Germany through your financial status. This could be proven through a blocked bank account with a minimum of €11,208 per person, a part time job offer, or a sponsorship from Germany. You can calculate your score here with all details.
Opportunity Card Kit
Following are the important resources you need in order to better understand the opportunity card:
Understanding the immigration act
Finding English jobs in Germany
Points Calculator for Opportunity Card
Shortage occupations or Bottleneck occupations in Germany