Germany offers a wealth of opportunities for those looking to build a career or seek new employment. With the Opportunity Card, you can move to Germany and search for jobs without needing a job contract. Additionally, the Ausbildung vocational training programme provides comprehensive training for various professions. As a leading destination for skilled migrants, IILT’s experienced consultants are ready to guide you through every phase of your migration to Germany.
Germany ranks as the fifth most advantageous country to relocate to. Its strong job market, education system, and economy all contribute to its favorability. The opportunity to relocate to Germany is attractive to people worldwide.
General Requirements for German Immigration
Different ways to move to Germany have different rules. However, there are some things that all of them have in common. You must meet the following requirements to be able to move to Germany:
● Demonstrate Financial Stability.
There are financial requirements for each immigration purpose that applicants must meet, but regardless of their intentions, they must demonstrate their ability to support themselves in Germany. You need to have the initial capital to cover your expenses until you receive your salary, even if you plan to work in Germany.
● Carry Health Insurance.
You will be unable to immigrate to Germany without adequate health insurance coverage. We recommend obtaining German health insurance, as it is impossible to predict whether German authorities will accept foreign health insurance.
● Have at least a Basic Understanding of the German Language.
The ability to reside in Germany necessitates proficiency in the German language. There are three levels of language proficiency in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A, B, and C. Language proficiency is classified as A1/A2, which is considered basic; B1/B2, which is considered proficient in the language; and C1/C2, which is considered advanced. In order to immigrate to Germany, it is necessary to enrol in the exams and achieve a score of A1 or B1. If you are seeking a permanent residence, you will require a higher level of proficiency, such as C1 or C2.
● Obtain a German Visa.
People from these nations (Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Rep. Of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Pakistan, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe) must obtain and secure a visa before they enter Germany. Nonetheless, citizens of all other countries are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a visa to enter Germany. Upon entering Germany without a visa, people have the option to apply for a residence permit.
German Visa Types
1. Visas to Study in Germany
Germany is an ideal destination for those seeking high-quality higher education, excellent research facilities, effective teaching methods, affordable study options, and promising career prospects. For this reason, numerous international students maintain the belief that Germany is the ideal destination for advancing their higher education.
But not every foreigner can follow their dream right away. There are a number of countries in Germany that require a visa to enter and remain.
In our case, a visa is an official document authorising a non-German national to enter and stay in German territory for the purpose of studying for a specific period of time.
Thus, as a foreign national who:
- Just received a German university acceptance letter,
- A response to his or her university application at a German university is anticipated soon,
- Has to register in a foundation course before seeking application to a German university,
- Requires completion of a doctoral degree,
- Desires to Work on a Study Project in Germany,
If you are from one of the aforementioned nations, you must apply for the required German Study Visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in your country in order to enter and remain in Germany for the planned duration of time.
If you need to stay in Germany for more than 90 days or three months, you will be required to obtain a Residence Permit soon after your arrival.
There is no hard and fast rule about when you should apply for a German visa, but it is strongly recommended that you do so well in advance of your intended trip.
Typically, three months before the start of planned studies worked well for many people who had previously gone through the same process.
Types of German Study Visas?
You must apply for the right German visa to study in Germany, as previously stated. There are three different kinds of visas available to those who want to study in Germany:
- The Language Course Visa, also known as the Visa for Language Learning, is intended for educational pursuits that span from three months to a year, which includes taking short German language courses.
- The Student Applicant Visa, also known as the Visum Zur Studienbewerbung, is what you need if you want to study in Germany but are still looking for the right program or haven’t yet received the confirmation letter from your university.
- Student Visa, also known as the Visum Zu Studienzwecken, is required if you have received an acceptance from a German university.
1. Job Seeker Visa
Individuals seeking employment opportunities in Germany can apply for a German job seeker visa. If you receive approval for this visa, you can stay in the country for approximately six months and pursue employment opportunities. Subsequently, you can apply for a work permit and continue to stay in Germany for an extended period. This visa is specifically for students who have already received acceptance from a German university.
Please keep in mind that if you have already found work and have a valid contract, you are not required to apply for a job seeker visa; instead, you can apply for a work visa directly.
Who Can Apply for a Job Seeker Visa?
If you are not a citizen of one of the following nations, you require a job seeker visa:
- The European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and
- If you are from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada, or the USA, you need to get a residence permit before you can work in Germany.
Eligibility Criteria
You must fulfil the following conditions to be eligible for the job seeker visa:
- You are a third-country national who requires a visa to enter the
- You possess a minimum of five years of experience in your respective
- Your financial resources are sufficient to sustain your stay in
- You have evidence of successfully completing academic or vocational
- Germany recognizes your qualifications or considers them equivalent to a diploma you earned there.
Requirements for a Job Seeker Visa
- Application Form: To obtain a job seeker visa, you are required to submit a signed and completed application form.
- An authentic passport and a photocopy: Make sure your passport is valid, issued within the last ten years, has at least two blank pages, and is valid for at least three months after you leave Germany. Note that certain embassies may require a longer validity period based on your nationality.
- Photographs for identification purposes: Submit passport-sized photographs that adhere to the visa photo guidelines specified by the German embassy or consulate.
- Accommodation proof: In Germany, you must show reservations for hotels, rent agreements, or a welcome letter from a friend or family member.
- Evidence of financial resources: In addition, it is imperative to provide evidence demonstrating that you possess adequate financial resources to sustain yourself throughout your stay in Germany.
- Proof of Health Insurance: You must also show proof of valid travel health insurance with at least €30,000 in medical coverage.
- Academic Credentials: You must submit your university degree, transcripts, vocational training certificates, etc.
- Evidence of degree recognition: To qualify for a job seeker visa, Germany must fully accept your degrees and other academic credentials.
- Your Curriculum Vitae: Please provide a comprehensive CV that includes your academic and professional qualifications, as well as your personal information.
- Cover letter: Submit a cover letter outlining your motivations for applying for a job seeker visa in Germany, as well as your intended course of action upon obtaining the
Germany Opportunity Card
Why a Germany Opportunity Card?
- Gain immediate access to over 1.8 million job opportunities across more than 20 different sectors.
- Simplified employment search procedure in Germany
- The points-based system necessitates a minimum of six
- No obligation for a long-term employment agreement is
- Excellent opportunity to obtain a job permit
The Opportunity Card for Germany is the most optimal route for non-EU nationals who wish to pursue employment opportunities in Germany. The Chancenkarte Visa allows duly recognized skilled professionals to officially enter the country and provides a route to obtaining permanent residency in Germany.
Chancenkarte Visa
In 2024, Germany introduced the Chancenkarte Visa as a means to attract highly skilled professionals to relocate and settle in Germany. This is an efficient route for highly skilled workers from non-EU countries to directly enter the German job market. Highly competent individuals have a significant opportunity to directly avail themselves of a diverse array of job opportunities in different sectors within Germany.
The German Government implemented this initiative to address workforce requirements through a simplified job search procedure. The system operates on a points-based framework, whereby candidates who have a successful application can immediately obtain a work permit. This creates a potential route for obtaining permanent residency in Germany.
Germany Opportunity card Vs. Job Seeker Visa
Factors | Germany Opportunity Card | Germany Job Seeker Visa |
Minimum Qualifications | Professional qualification and 2+ years’ work experience | Degree or vocational training recognized by Germany |
Required Language Level | IELTS/Minimum A1 level in German Or B2 level in English | Not Mandatory |
Visa duration | 1 year | 6 months |
Visa extension | + 24 months | No Extension |
Required funds | € 12,324 | € 5,604 |
Cap | Not applicable | Not Applicable |
Paid work permitted | Yes, up to 20 hours a week | No |
At present, the majority of skilled professionals are interested in applying for a Germany Opportunity card, which offers numerous benefits in comparison to a Germany Job Seeker Visa. It permits you to remain in the country for a period of one year in order to conduct a job search. During this time, you are permitted to work part-time for 20 hours per week.
Advantages of the Germany Opportunity Card
- Immediate access to the German job market
- Eligible to obtain a work permit without
- Remain in Germany for a duration of one year and actively pursue employment
- Generate a monthly income of 1000 Euro by engaging in part-time employment while actively seeking job opportunities.
- Engage in part-time employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week until you obtain a permanent job in the country.
- Accelerated recruitment procedure and simplified access to Germany
- No need for Federal Employment
- Best route to obtaining permanent residency in Germany
Calculator for Germany Opportunity Card Points
The points required for an Opportunity Card in Germany are evaluated based on five main factors.
- Language skills
- Professional experience
- Age
- Connection to Germany
- Spouse’s Qualification and Application for Opportunity Card
Working (Employment) Visa Guest Scientist Visa
Training/Internship Visa
Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or Partner
For specialized advice on all German visas and professional management of your application, consider working with the legal professionals at the Schlun & Elseven immigration law practice group. They provide expert advice on all matters relating to German visas, immigration law and German residence permits.