Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), points route

Summary: do you qualify?

This program uses a points table. You need 6 points.

Full table: requirements.

Budget

• Proof of funds per month of stay (blocked account or declaration of commitment): €1,091.00 per month
• Funds for the minimum validity of the visa: €3,309.00
• Funds for the maximum validity of the visa: €13,092.00
• National visa fee (as stated by the German mission in Nairobi, payable in local currency): €75.00

Cost details

Documents

• Passport with a copy of the photo page
• Completed and signed visa application form including the notice under para 54 AufenthG
• Two identical current biometric photos with white background
• Gapless CV in German or English
• Motivation letter in German or English (target fields, place, accommodation, planned recognition steps)
• Proof of the qualification and its recognition (certificate, anabin printout or ZAB evaluation, or recognition notice)
• Language certificate (German A1 or English B2) from an ALTE-certified provider, not older than twelve months
• Evidence for each claimed point (employer references, old passports and visas, partner's application)
• Proof of funds (blocked account confirmation showing total and monthly amount, or declaration of commitment)
• Proof of health insurance for the whole stay
• Certified German or English translations of documents in other languages

Official sources

The rules on this page come from these official pages:

• DE-02 (www.make-it-in-germany.com)
• DE-10 (www.gesetze-im-internet.de)
• DE-11 (www.gesetze-im-internet.de)
• DE-53 (www.gesetze-im-internet.de)
• DE-54 (www.gesetze-im-internet.de)
• DE-55 (www.gesetze-im-internet.de)
• DE-56 (nairobi.diplo.de)

Steps

1. Decide the route: skilled worker (qualification fully recognised, no points) or points route (You)
2. Get proof that the foreign qualification is state-recognised (anabin/ZAB certificate evaluation, digital statement on the vocational qualification, or a partial-recognition notice) (You)
3. Take a language test: German A1 or English B2 (points route) (You)
4. Arrange proof of funds: blocked account opened before the application, or a declaration of commitment (You)
5. Apply online via the Foreign Office consular services portal and upload the documents (You)
6. Attend the mission appointment: identity check, biometrics, fee, original documents (You)
7. In Germany: search for work (side job up to twenty hours a week, trial work up to two weeks each) (You)
8. With a qualified job found: apply to the foreigners authority for a work permit, or an extension of the card by up to two years if no other permit fits (You)