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Opportunity Card Germany

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Opportunity card to work in germany

Leading the Way, Every Step of the Journey!
The Opportunity Card allows candidates from non-EU countries to enter Germany in search of a suitable job without needing to provide proof of a permanent employment contract. This card is available to individuals recognized as skilled workers or those who achieve at least six points in the points system. Additionally, candidates must have sufficient financial resources to support themselves throughout their stay.

▪  entry to germany

Easy, fast and legal way of entring germany

▪  residence in germany

High chance of permanent resident in Germany

▪  high income

Securing your livelihood with a Good Income

▪  work permit

Immediate work permit after successful application

What is the Opportunity Card?

The Opportunity Card is a points-based immigration system designed to attract skilled workers from non-EU countries to Germany. It is part of the Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), which came into effect in 2020 and was further refined in 2023. The card allows eligible professionals to enter Germany without a prior job offer and stay for a specified period to seek employment.

Work in Germany

The Opportunity Card simplifies the process for candidates seeking employment in Germany.

Prerequisites

With the points system, you can align your specific needs with the selection criteria.

Points distribution

Sufficient German language skills at level A1 or English language skills at level B2 as well as…

No matter who you are, we’ve got what you need.

We can assist you in complying with the 6-pointing system for a more professional carrier as a skilled worker in Germany.

Language Class
Certificate Verification
Credibility
Coaching
Process Initiation

OUR SERVICE

Across Border

European Standard Curriculum Vitae

The European Standard Curriculum Vitae is often referred to as the “Europass CV.” It’s a standardized format developed by the European Union to make it easier for people across Europe to present their skills, qualifications, and experience in a uniform way.

Creating a work profile to a European standard involves ensuring that your CV is concise, clear, and focused on your professional experience, skills, and qualifications. Emphasize key competencies and achievements relevant to the job, using a reverse-chronological format. Include personal information such as contact details, nationality, and language proficiency, while adhering to data privacy norms (e.g., GDPR). T

ailor your cover letter and CV to each application, demonstrating alignment with the company’s values and the role’s requirements.

GERMAN FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY & EUROPIAN UNION

Get Your CV in Front of Over 4000 Companies with the German Federal Employment Agency and the European Union

Are you looking to take your career to the next level? Optikey Solutions is here to help you connect with top employers across Germany. With our expert services, your CV will be published and made accessible to over 4000 companies through the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), increasing your chances of landing your dream job even in a different European country.

Empowering Your Job Interview Success

At Optikey Solutions, we understand that the job interview process can be challenging and nerve-wracking. That’s why we offer a comprehensive interview preparation service designed to equip candidates with the skills, confidence, and insights needed to excel in any interview setting.

Our service goes beyond just practicing questions and answers. We take a holistic approach to interview preparation, focusing on enhancing your communication skills, refining your personal brand, and understanding the nuances of the industry you are targeting. Whether you are a fresh graduate stepping into the professional world or a seasoned professional seeking a career change, our tailored preparation plans are designed to meet your specific needs.

Contract Review and Risk Assessments

At Optikey Solutions, we understand the critical importance of a well-structured and airtight contract in safeguarding the interests of your professional career. Contracts form the backbone of any professional relationship, defining the terms, obligations, and rights of each party involved.

Our Comprehensive Contract Evaluation and Risk Mitigation service is designed to help our clients thoroughly assess their contracts, identify potential loopholes, and mitigate any associated risks, ensuring that the agreements are both legally sound and commercially viable.

A Comprehensive Journey to Securing Employment

Optikey Solutions, renowned for its expertise in career development and employment solutions, undertakes a rigorous and multi-faceted approach to secure jobs for its clients. This process, though tough and demanding, is designed to ensure that every client is not just placed in a job but is positioned in a role that aligns with their skills, aspirations, and long-term career goals. We remain within your reach to guide and welcome you to your new adventure.

Challenge Us

Schedule a meeting with our consultant to give you more information on the Opportunity Card.

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FAQs

The Opportunity Card gives you a legal residence permit that allows you to look for a job in Germany without a fixed employment contract (if you come from a non-EU country). Part-time employment of up to 20 hours a week is possible, as well as a trial job for two weeks. You can also have your vocational qualification recognised retrospectively with the Opportunity Card.

The duration of stay is limited to one year. If you do not find a suitable job, there is no entitlement to an extension after the time has expired. If you have a job, a longer stay in Germany is not linked to the Opportunity Card. Find out more about this at your local Foreigners’ Registration Office.

Applicants from non-EU countries can enter Germany more easily and look for work there more quickly. In addition, holders of the Opportunity Card have the chance to apply for a permanent residence title in Germany. Companies also benefit from this. For potential employers, the Opportunity Card greatly expands the pool of applicants.

Due to a deficit of skilled workers, Germany would have a shortage of about 16 million workers by 2060 – without immigration from abroad. (Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) Many companies are already dependent on the support of individuals. With the Opportunity Card, both applicants and employers gain a long-term perspective on a positive development in the labor market.

In order to prove sufficient financial means for the Opportunity Card, you usually have to present sufficient bank balances or regular proof of income. In doing so, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to secure your livelihood and, if applicable, that of your family members in Germany without having to rely on public funds from Germany.

The level of financial means that must be proven can vary from case to case. Since 1 January 2024, the assumed annual standard requirement for a so-called blocked account is 12,324 euros per person. The account may only allow the withdrawal of a certain amount per month. However, as mentioned, you may be able to prove your balance or income in other ways.

Another way of proving sufficient income is to sign an employment contract with a German employer for 20 hours per week before applying for the Opportunity Card. The regulations on the type of job are very generous here. For example, you can work in a restaurant or at a bakery. Thanks to the minimum wage that applies in Germany, such an employment contract should also be sufficient for providing financial means to the embassy.

We are currently working on listing offers of suitable part-time jobs (up to 20 hours per week) on this website. Please register for our newsletter service for the latest information.

You can apply for the Opportunity Card at the relevant German mission abroad in your country of origin (for example, at the German Embassy or German Consulate). If you are already in Germany, simply submit the application to the relevant local Foreigners’ Registration Office.

In this case, please note that you must already be in possession of a valid residence permit or visa. In order to obtain the Opportunity Card, you must fulfill the necessary requirements and, if applicable, provide proof, for example, of your professional experience (vocational training + work experience) or your language skills (German A1 or English B2). You must also have sufficient financial means.

To obtain the Opportunity Card, you must submit an application to a competent German mission abroad (for example, the German Embassy or German Consulate). To do this, you should have important documents ready, such as your passport as well as proof of language skills and your vocational training, etc. You will also need these for the next steps with the Foreigners’ Registration Office. Optikey Solution can assist you in getting all the necessary documentation together and also facilitate an appointment at the German Embassy or German Consulate.

The basic requirements for the Opportunity Card are language skills in German (A1) or English (B2) and (at least) two years of vocational training or a university degree. You must also have sufficient financial means. Proof of this can be provided by means of an employment contract for a part-time job (up to 20 hours per week), for example. Please register for our newsletter, if you are interested in such a part-time job. If you cannot prove that you have the necessary language skills or a professional qualification according to the rules of your country of origin, you must fulfill these criteria before applying for the Opportunity Card.

You can apply for the Opportunity Card since 01 June 2024 at the local Foreigners’ Registration Office or the relevant German mission abroad in your country of origin. It expands the previous Skilled Immigration Act (in force since 1 March 2020) to include another residence title for qualified non-EU citizens. While the Skilled Immigration Act facilitates entry and residence, the Opportunity Card is explicitly intended to help people who do not yet have a permanent employment contract in Germany and want to look for a job locally.

To obtain the Opportunity Card, you must submit an application to a competent German mission abroad (for example, the German Embassy or German Consulate). To do this, you should have important documents ready, such as your passport as well as proof of language skills and your vocational training, etc. You will also need these for the next steps with the Foreigners’ Registration Office. We can guide you accordingly to obtain the Opportunity Card at the German Embassy. Contact Us today for more information.

As a foreign IT professional, you do not need to have a university degree or formal vocational training to obtain the “EU Blue Card”. Only “non-formal qualifications”, i.e. two years of professional experience (at academic level), must be proven by a certificate from the employer, for example. A fixed employment contract is required, stipulating a gross annual income of more than 40,000 euros. In the case of collective bargaining agreements, a lower income is also sufficient as proof.

The Green Card is a residence permit for the USA that is subject to strict conditions. A job-based Green Card requires a job offer, while family-based Green Cards can be applied for by family members in the US state. There is also a lottery process by which applicants can win the Green Card. Through the Green Card, US citizenship can be acquired after about 3-5 years.

The Opportunity Card in Germany differs from the Green Card in that it allows a period of residence of one year. You do not have to have a job offer or an employment contract or a family relationship. However, you must score at least six points in the points system for the Opportunity Card.

You do not need an employment contract in Germany if you want to apply for the Opportunity Card. However, you must have sufficient language skills (German A1 or English B2) and (at least) two years of vocational training or a university degree according to the rules of your country of origin. You must also have sufficient financial means. Proof of this can be provided by means of an employment contract for a part-time job (up to 20 hours per week), for example. Please register for our newsletter, if you are interested in such a full-time or part-time job.

After receiving the Opportunity Card, you will receive a 12-month residence permit. During this time, you may look for a suitable job in Germany or have your professional qualification recognized retroactively. You are allowed two weeks of work on a trial basis (an unlimited number of times) as well as part-time employment of up to 20 hours per week. The hours may be distributed flexibly.

As a recognized skilled worker, you only need to secure your livelihood. If you apply through the points system, you must fulfill at least six points to receive the Opportunity Card. The criteria are as follows:

  • Language skills
  • Work experience
  • Age
  • Link to Germany

Optikey Solutions can assist you with the above criteria, reach out to us for more information.

With the so-called recognition partnership, the applicant’s recognition procedure only begins in Germany. The applicant’s qualifications are subsequently recognized by way of a recognition procedure. In return, applicants are allowed to pursue qualified employment in Germany from day one. The recognition partnership allows a so-called “post-qualification” with the help of a corresponding contract between employer and applicant. In a written agreement, both must state that they will carry out the procedure as soon as possible. Employers must be capable of providing training or post-qualification. Find out more information on this in our blog post.

With vocational training, you may take up qualified employment as a skilled worker. After you have applied for a corresponding residence permit, you can have your qualification subsequently recognized in Germany via a recognition partnership. To work in a regulated profession (e.g. in the health sector) you need a professional practice permit. This must be obtained before the residence permit. If you have a foreign university degree, you can apply for the “EU Blue Card” in order to pursue qualified employment in Germany. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) will check that your qualifications match your future job.

You are eligible for the “EU Blue Card” if you meet the minimum salary threshold of 55,200 euros gross per year (source: Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community) and if you can prove that you have a completed university degree. Special rules apply to certain professions (doctors, skilled workers in engineering, natural sciences and mathematics, and IT professionals): Here, an annual gross salary of 43,056 euros is sufficient (source: Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community). IT workers do not have to provide proof of their education for employment in Germany. They only need a concrete job offer with an annual gross salary of at least 52,560 euros.

You can prove your vocational training by means of final certificates or a certificate from your employer. This can be a copy of a training contract or confirmation from the training company. In addition, a recognition body yet to be defined by the German government must confirm “state recognition”. We are working on listing corresponding training courses for selected countries. You can read more about this in our blog. With a recognition partnership, you can prove your professional qualifications retrospectively.

For a recognition partnership or to receive the Opportunity Card, you must prove that your vocational qualification is recognized by the state. The recognition does not necessarily have to have taken place in your country of origin, but in the country where you completed your training. “State-recognised” here means that your qualification is based on state legislation and was awarded to you by an authorized person. Certificates can either be based on vocational training (of at least two years) or a university degree.

To receive the Opportunity Card through the points system, basic knowledge of German at level A1 or English at level B2 is required. Other language skills play a role in the points system. German at level A2 is awarded one point, German at level B1 is awarded two points, and German at level B2 is awarded three points. English language skills at level C1 earn one point (also in addition to German language skills).

German tests

GER

  • Consists of four areas: Listening, reading, speaking, and writing
  • Includes six levels (like all German tests)
  • Free online placement test
    A1 (understand simple German sentences)
    A2 (basic knowledge)
    B1 (intermediate)
    B2 (good Intermediate)
    C1 (advanced knowledge)
    C2 (excellent knowledge / mother-tongue level)

Optikey & Partner Certification

  • German tests (Online)
  • Online courses available
  • Certificates internationally recognized
  • Free Placement Test
  • Choose a language course at your level
    (A1 – A2 for language beginners, B1 – B2 for advanced knowledge, C1 – C2 as final levels)
  • Exams available after each level
  • Costs around 100 – 450 euros

Reach out to us for more information.

With the “EU Blue Card,” persons with a university degree can enter Germany to pursue qualified employment. The minimum salary limit of 58,400 euros gross per year must be observed. Skilled workers who have held an “EU Blue Card” from another EU state for at least 18 months can enter Germany without a visa. Employers can apply for the “EU Blue Card” for a prospective employee at the relevant Foreigners’ Registration Office.

The Opportunity Card enables foreign skilled workers from third countries to stay in Germany for one year, even without a university degree. However, they must have (at least) two years of vocational training according to the rules of the country of origin and basic knowledge of German (level A1) or English (level B2). Those who are skilled workers may in the future take up any qualified employment.

With the Opportunity Card, you are allowed to carry out a part-time job of up to 20 hours a week. Working hours can be arranged flexibly. This regulation remains in force even if you complete a language course in Germany or study here. Participants in a language course therefore have another way of supplementing their living expenses. Stays in the form of a student exchange are excluded from this.

To receive the Opportunity Card, you must have sufficient financial means. Proof of this can be provided, for example, by means of an employment contract for such part-time employment, which you conclude before applying for an Opportunity Card. Please register for our newsletter if you are interested in such a part-time job.

With the Opportunity Card, you are allowed to do an unlimited number of trial jobs lasting up to two weeks each. The trial work must be qualified employment or aimed at the possibility of subsequent training so that you can achieve possible follow-up residence titles. In principle, you can switch between different trial jobs without any problems.

The expanded Skilled Immigration Act came into force on 01 June 2024. You can obtain the Opportunity Card from a competent German mission abroad in your country of origin (German Embassy or German Consulate). If you are already in Germany and have a legal residence title, you can apply for the Opportunity Card at the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

In the points system for the Opportunity Card, you will find the criterion “Relevance to Germany”. This is not about language skills, but about previous stays in Germany (at least six months). Tourist trips (e.g. short stays within the framework of the Schengen Agreement, 90 days within 180 days) do not count here. Short-term trips to other EU states during the previous stay, on the other hand, are not a problem as long as the main focus of the stay continues to be in Germany.

The German authorities can issue as many Opportunity Cards as they wish. However, this may change if the demand is high. If there is too much demand for Opportunity Cards, the authorities are permitted to impose a specific quota.

The Opportunity Card allows you to work in Germany but not to take up studies. If you want to study in Germany, you must apply and be accepted for a degree program. There are special requirements and procedures for this, which may vary from university to university. You may also have to prove that you have sufficient knowledge of German or take a language test. If you have already completed vocational training or a degree in your home country, parts of your training or studies can be credited towards a degree program in Germany.

The duration of stay in Germany with the Opportunity Card is exactly one year. An extension is possible by up to two years under certain circumstances. If you have already held the Opportunity Card but left Germany thereafter, you can apply again (after a break of at least one year).