Hello, job seekers. I have some exciting news to share with you. Working in Germany with the Opportunity Card 2024 According to a survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) last year, Germany had 1.74 million open positions. As a result, the government relaxed immigration rules to make it easier for foreign skilled workers to find jobs in Germany (Ref: Euronews). For this reason, the German government has expressed worry recently and wants to hire talented foreign workers to cover the labour shortages. As such, I ask that you see this as an excellent opportunity to obtain a residence visa and a high-paying job in Germany. Individuals from third countries will be permitted to look for work thanks to the Germany Opportunity card (Chancenkarte). While they are not precisely the same, these are comparable to the Germany Job Seeker Visa. Candidates from non-EU nations may enter Germany to hunt for suitable employment by using the opportunity card. Nonetheless, you must know the prerequisites, the application procedure, and the distinctions between the opportunity card and the job seeker visa.
It is unnecessary to provide documentation of a permanent job contract to applicants for the opportunity card. You need six points to be eligible for the Opportunity card based on the Point System. Your fundamental educational information, including your age, degree, and experience (if any), will be covered in these six points. The Opportunity Card application period will begin on June 1, 2024.
- The system is point-based.
- Six points is all you need.
- With an opportunity card, you are allowed to remain for a year.
- To seek work, you will be granted a one-year residency visa.
- A permanent work contract is not necessary!
- You can even work in Germany with this opportunity card during job-seeking.
- With this card, you are permitted to work part-time jobs.
- Recognize the Point-Based System
- The points-based system is the foundation of the Opportunity card.
- 14 total points
- Total Points: 6 Required Points14
- Several points are needed: Sixth Qualification (Level)Obtaining a university degree might get you up to six points.
- ExperienceThree points maximum
- Age: 2 points for those under 35 and 1 for those between 35 and 40.
- Language: German points are the maximum if you know German
- before visiting Germany. You get one point if you’ve spent at least six months living in Germany before.
- Spouses: If your spouse satisfies the conditions for an opportunity card, you will receive one point.
- Conditions and Qualifications
- To qualify for the German Opportunity Card, you have to meet the requirements listed below:
- This is a non-European opportunity card.
- It would help if you were educated or have a vocational degree.
- Get six points or more.
- You can’t have ever committed a crime.
- You need to be able to sustain yourself financially while visiting Germany.
- Possess a degree or vocational training and three years of experience in the field.
- Possess German language proficiency or documentation of prior residence in Germany
- and be under 35.
- Applying must be done via the German Embassy.
- How Can I Apply for an Opportunity Card in Germany?
- Opening Date: June 1, 2024: Applications for the Opportunity Card become available, and the card goes into force.
- You can submit your application through the German Foreigners’ Registration Office in your home country or the appropriate German mission abroad, such as an embassy or consulate.
- The Opportunity Card and the German Job Seeker Visa are Not the Same
- Feature Germany Opportunity Card Germany Job Seeker Visa Objective Go to Germany in quest of employment Go to Germany in search of employment and perhaps stay longer.
- Employment History three years minimum of related work experience three years minimum of related work experience
- Remain Time frame: six months one year, with a one-year extension
- Procedure for Applications A more conventional visa application procedure requires a particular documentation point-based system with an online application.
- Flexibility Restricted: It is challenging to shift careers. More flexible: You can change careers or do internships.
- How to Apply via Embassy Via Embassy
For this reason, the German government has expressed worry recently and wants to hire talented foreign workers to cover the labour shortages. As such, I ask that you see this as an excellent opportunity to obtain a residence visa and a high-paying job in Germany.
Which Jobs Are in Germany’s Highest Demand?
I will give you the most up-to-date information on which German occupations are currently hiring for most positions because I know how important this question is. According to the IFO survey, if you’re a skilled worker in nursing, engineering, craftsmanship, catering, hospitality, or information technology, you’re in luck because these are the most in-demand job categories in Germany in 2023. In Germany, there is a great demand for skilled workers in various fields, including healthcare, metallurgy, manufacturing, production, warehousing, heavy machinery operations, retail, construction, and the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. If you fit these descriptions and have the necessary training and experience, apply for a German chancenkarte when the German immigration office opens applications.
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Germany’s New Chance Jobs Opportunity Card: Advantages
My understanding and research indicate that the chancenkarte will be a free-style German job card visa for all foreign skilled workers to enter Germany and search for employment while residing there. However, it is essential to note that the chancenkarte is not the same as a standard German work visa, as its purpose is to permit foreign skilled workers to enter Germany and apply for jobs while residing there. Additionally, this will enable German companies and government departments to hire “Skilled Professional Workers” from worldwide to fill open positions.
In addition, you should be aware that if you possess a German chancenkarte opportunity card, you can stay in Germany for a year while looking for a full-time job. To do this, you must show the German immigration department that you have sufficient income to support yourself while living there, and if you cannot find employment, you may work up to 20 hours per week as a part-time employee.
Utilizing Germany’s Opportunity Card
It is simpler for candidates to get employment in Germany with the Opportunity Card. It allows candidates to work in Germany without a drawn-out recognition process. A university degree or (at least) two years of vocational training, as well as adequate proficiency in German (A1) or English (B2), are requirements.
The Opportunity Card bearer is entitled to part-time work (up to 20 hours per week) or a two-week trial position. Applicants can stay in Germany for a year as long as they have the Opportunity Card. The main priority at this time should be locating employment. With the Opportunity Card, you can remain for an extra two years. This requires that you apply at the Foreigners’ Registration Office in your community.
Requirements to obtain an Opportunity Card
Using the points system, you may match your requirements with the necessary selection criteria. To obtain the Opportunity Card, you need to accumulate six points. The prerequisites include (at least) two years of vocational training or a university degree recognized in your country of origin, as well as proficiency in German (level A1) or English (level B2). Additionally, you must demonstrate your financial stability by working a part-time job (up to 20 hours per week). An employment contract is one way that you demonstrate this. (No points are given for the prerequisites!) The points system also takes age, professional experience, language proficiency, and “connection to Germany” into account. Your age as of the application submission date is the referenced age criteria.
Quick overview of the Opportunity Card’s point distribution
- Fundamental prerequisites: adequate proficiency in German (level A1) or English (level B2) and a minimum of two years of vocational training by national requirements. Additionally, it would help if you were financially stable. For instance, an employment contract for a part-time position (up to 20 hours per week) may serve as documentation of this.
- Four points are granted for authorization to practice a regulated profession (such as teaching, nursing, or engineering) or for partial recognition of a foreign professional qualification. Only some candidates fulfil these requirements.
- By the regulations of the nation of origin, three points are granted for each of the previous two years of professional training and the past five years of professional experience (in the last seven years) in the learned profession. Alternatively, you get three points for having B2 solid German language proficiency.
- Two points are given for every two years of professional experience before vocational training for the last five years. You receive two points more if you are under 35. Level B1 proficiency in German is also worth two points.
- Applicants who are under 40 years old and have spent at least six months in Germany before are granted one point. Documented evidence of this is required from you. Prior visits as a visitor are not considered.
- Additionally, you will receive one point for having excellent English (C1), decent German (A2), completing your university degree or vocational training in a region with an official labor shortage in Germany, or applying for the Opportunity Card with your spouse.