General information

Since 1 June 2024, foreign nationals with a German or other recognized university degree or a foreign qualification are eligible to enter Germany to seek employment. Opportunity cards are issued for a maximum of one year, provided that the holder submits proof of financial means for the intended duration of stay (at the moment 1,027 EUR per month). It allows the holder to do work trials or take up secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their stay in Germany.

There are two options to obtain an Opportunity card:

1. If you have a German or a fully recognized foreign qualification, you can apply for an Opportunity card without any further special requirements.
2. If you have a foreign qualification (university degree or vocational qualification of at least two years' duration) that is not or only partially recognized in Germany, you may need to score at least six points in the points system.

Foreign nationals who are interested in the new Opportunity card can do a self-check to see if they are eligible to apply: Self-Check Opportunity card.

Further information on the Opportunity card is available via the portal for qualified professionals “Make-it-in-Germany”.

Australian citizens as well as citizens of Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America can apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand.

The processing time for an Opportunity card is approximately two weeks.

Application via the Online Portal

It is expected that applications for the Opportunity card can be submitted via the Online Portal in the second half of 2024. Until then, applications need to be submitted in person.

Necessary documents

Please do not staple the documents!

For all applicants:

• Completed and signed application form
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Please ensure that the barcode is printed in high quality.
  Only if the online application form is not available, you can print out this application form and fill it out by hand.
• Recent passport photograph (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• Your national passport (validity of which should still be for at least 6 months from the intended arrival in Germany) - original plus 1 copy of the data page
• Proof of visa status in Australia (VEVO) (if you are not an Australian citizen)
• Cover letter outlining what fields and jobs you are interested in in Germany, where you want to apply and where you want to live in Germany (including details of accommodation and how you will support yourself). And, if applicable, what additional training you plan to complete to have your foreign professional qualification recognised.
• Any additional evidence of further preparations made to find a job in Germany
• Full travel-health insurance covering the whole period of stay (at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs; coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages)
• Proof of financial means (currently 1,027 EUR per month)
• Prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• Visa fee: 75 EUR by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AUD). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) are not accepted.

For option 1:

• German or otherwise recognized equivalent qualification
• Proof of recognition of the foreign qualification:
  One printout each from the anabin database for the degree AND the university:
  • You can enquire on the database ANABIN (only in German) if your foreign degree of higher education is comparable AND if the institution of higher education is recognized.
  • You can enquire on the database DAB if your foreign vocational qualification is comparable AND if the institution of vocational education is recognized.
  • If your degree is not evalutated in this database, you might be eligible for option 2 (see below). You may as well apply for an individual evaluation of your degree in order to obtain a “Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications” to remain eligible for option 1.
  • If you wish to exercise a regulated profession (e.g. human medicine), you will need to have your degree recognized for Germany. You can find out whether your profession is regulated in the Recognition Finder on the “Recognition in Germany” portal. This website then also provides information about the recognition process. Detailed information can also be found on the Portal “Make it in Germany”.

For option 2:

• Printout of your result of the self-check Opportunity card
  • You need to score at least 6 points.
• Individual proof for all the information you have given in the self-check (e.g. language certificates)
• Proof of basic German language skills (level A1) or basic English language skills (level B2)
  • The language certificate needs to be recognized by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) or TOEFL.
  • e.g. standard German language test “Deutsch A1” of the Goethe Institut.

Please note that we can process only complete applications. If you hand in your application with one or several documents listed above missing, you will have to come again for a new appointment.

Please note that you may be asked to present additional documents.

Additional information

• Upon your arrival the border authorities may examine whether the requirements for your entry continue to be valid. Entry may be refused by the border authorities although you are in possession of a valid visa. We advise you to carry with you documents giving evidence to the purpose of your stay.
• Once you have obtained your visa please check carefully that all entries are correct and in accordance with your application. Please inform the visa section immediately if there are any mistakes.
• Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area. However please be aware that you will be still subject to the 90 days within 180 days rule outside of Germany.

Appointment booking

Residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru can still apply at the Consulate General in Sydney in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see above) and book an appointment online.