Opportunity Card points calculator for Germany gives an overview of whether you can be eligible for this points-based visa. If your qualification is not recognized in Germany, you can still apply through the points-based system. The visa is awarded under new immigration laws Section 20a of the Residence Act.
You must score 6 points to be eligible for the opportunity card. Skills such as work experience, qualification, age, and language proficiency count towards overall points calculation. A one-year visa is awarded if you fulfill the requirements of the points calculation. You can travel on this visa to Germany and look for a job and then convert this visa to a “Skilled Worker Visa“.
Opportunity Card Points Calculator
Mandatory Eligibility Factors
Before you calculate your points, you must also fulfill the basic requirements which are mandatory such as:
- You hold a university degree (it counts even if it is not recognized in Germany but it should be recognized in your country of origin) or a vocational qualification with 2 years of minimum vocational training (recognized in your country of origin). You will have to get a positive report about it from the online portal of ZAB Germany);
- You have passed a language test either in the English language at B2 level or in the German language at A1 level;
- You can support yourself in Germany for your living costs. You need to show it through a blocked bank account with a minimum of €11,208 per person. You can also prove it by having a “Statement of Declaration” (verpflichtungserklärung) which means a person in Germany can bear the cost of living for you. In this case, that person should be working full-time and earning enough money to be your financial sponsor. If you have a part-time job offer (20 hours per week) off from Germany, you do not need to prove financial requirements through the blocked account.
Once you fulfill the above-mentioned mandatory requirements, then you should score 6 points from the points calculator below.
Points-Based Eligibility Factors
From the following points calculator, you must score a minimum of 6 out of the available points:
Opportunity Card Points Calculator
For your information, below is the breakdown of all the information on the points calculator and how the points are awarded and divided.
Partial recognition of Qualification
| Qualification | Points |
| You have applied for the qualification recognition and got partial recognition | 4 |
| You have a qualification for a regulated profession and you are required to participate in compensatory measures before obtaining a license to practice your profession | 4 |
Qualification from Bottleneck occupations (shortage occupations list)
| Qualification relevancy | Points |
| If your formal qualification is from Bottleneck occupations list | 1 |
Professional Experience
| Work experience | Points |
| If you have professional work experience of 2 years in connection to your formal qualification (within the last 5 years) | 2 |
| If you have professional work experience of 5 years in connection to your formal qualification (within the last 7 years) | 3 |
Age
| Condition | Points |
| Under 35 | 2 |
| Between 35 and 40 | 1 |
Language Proficiency
| Language Skills | Points |
| German proficiency at CEFR A2 | 1 |
| German proficiency at CEFR B1 | 2 |
| German proficiency at CEFR B2 | 3 |
| English proficiency at CEFR C1 or you are a native English speaker | 1 |
Skilled worker potential of spouses or life partners
| Relation | Points |
| Your partner or Spouse wants to come to Germany with you and they also score 6 points for the opportunity card, then you get an extra point for this eligibility. | 1 |
Previous stays in Germany
| Previous Stays in German | Points |
| If you have stayed in a continuous period of 6 months in the last 5 years in Germany, you can be awarded an extra point. The stays can be for work or study purposes. Tourism or meeting family purposes do not qualify for this eligibility. | 1 |
Comprehensive information on Germany’s work visas