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Germany now offers several ways for qualified people from outside the EU to work there, whether they hold a UK, US, Indian, Nigerian or other passport: a skilled worker residence permit when you have a job offer, an EU Blue Card for higher salaries, and the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) for people who want to come first and search for a job. This guide compares them and shows how the Opportunity Card points system works. For job-search tips and the Blue Card salary levels, see our Germany work guide.
The routes compared
| Route | Job offer? | Main requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled worker permit | Yes | Recognised degree or vocational training and a job that matches it | Granted for the contract period, extendable |
| EU Blue Card | Yes | University degree and a minimum salary of €50,700 (or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and recent graduates) in 2026 | Up to 4 years, extendable |
| Opportunity Card | No | Recognised qualification, language, funds and at least 6 points | 12 months |
Opportunity Card: what you need
- Qualification: a recognised university degree, or vocational training of at least two years, recognised in Germany.
- Language: German at A1 level, or English at B2. Test results may not be older than one year.
- Funds: the official leaflet gave €1,027 per month (€12,324 for the standard 12 months) in 2024. The amount is updated over time, so check the current figure with the German mission before you apply. Proof can be a blocked account, your own funds, a formal commitment from a sponsor, or a confirmed part-time job.
- Points: at least 6 points on the points table below.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Recognised partial qualification | Points available |
| Professional experience in the last 5 to 7 years, related to your qualification | Points available |
| German and English language level | Points available |
| Age | Points available |
| Legal residence in Germany of at least 6 months without a break in the past 5 years | Points available |
| Spouse or partner also applying or already holding an Opportunity Card | 1 extra point (only one of you can claim it) |
You need at least 6 points. People who already hold a recognised foreign or German qualification do not need points, because they qualify through the skilled professionals pathway. The exact points per level are set on the official Make it in Germany site, so run its self-check before you apply.
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What the Opportunity Card allows
- Stay in Germany for up to 12 months to look for work.
- Take work trials or secondary employment of up to 20 hours a week while you search. Trials must aim at qualified employment, an apprenticeship or a qualification programme.
- Switch to a work residence permit from inside Germany if you find a qualifying job.
Skilled worker permit: what you need
- A job offer or contract from a German employer.
- A recognised degree or vocational qualification.
- For regulated professions such as nursing and medicine, a professional licence or recognition decision.
- German language skills if the job or profession requires them.
Worked example
This is an illustration, not a real case. A 27-year-old nurse in Lagos has a four-year nursing degree, three years of hospital experience and German at A1. She first checks that her qualification can be recognised in Germany. If a hospital gives her a contract, she applies for the skilled worker permit. If she has no offer yet, she can apply for the Opportunity Card, using her qualification, experience, age and language to reach 6 points, and then look for a job in Germany. A second, equally hypothetical applicant, a software engineer with a UK passport and English at B2, could enter Germany without a visa, but would still register his address and apply for a residence title within 90 days if he planned to work.
What differs by passport
| Passport | Entering Germany | Getting the work or search permit |
|---|---|---|
| UK, US, Canada, Australia | Can enter without a visa | Must apply for a residence title within 90 days of entry if they plan to work or stay longer than 90 days. The permit usually cannot be issued until the Federal Employment Agency approves the employment |
| India | Needs a national visa | Apply for the Opportunity Card or work visa at the German mission before travelling |
| Nigeria | Needs a national visa | Apply for the Opportunity Card or work visa at the German mission before travelling |
Even if you can enter without a visa, you cannot start working until the right permit is in place. Ask your local foreigners’ office what it needs before you travel.
Steps for visa applicants
- Check recognition of your qualification on the Make it in Germany site and the Anabin database.
- Choose your route based on whether you have a job offer.
- Prepare translated and legalised documents. See the translation guide.
- Book a visa appointment at the German mission that covers your country of residence (for example in Abuja or Lagos for applicants in Nigeria).
- After arrival, register your address and get your residence permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from the Opportunity Card to a work permit?
Yes. If you find a qualifying job, you can apply for a work residence permit from inside Germany.
Is German required for all jobs?
No. Many IT roles work in English. Care, trades and public-facing jobs usually need German.
Does the Opportunity Card guarantee a job?
No. It gives you the right to search, not a job, so plan your savings and your search carefully.
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