Germany has introduced the Opportunity Card to attract skilled workers from outside the European Union, allowing them to seek employment in the country for up to a year if they meet certain criteria.
“We are ensuring that workers and skilled workers that our economy has urgently needed for years can come to our country,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated on Saturday.
This initiative is a significant step in Germany’s efforts to draw in global talent to support its economic growth and development. By providing skilled individuals the chance to explore job opportunities in Germany, the government aims to address workforce shortages across various industries.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Opportunity Card, applicants must have either at least two years of vocational training or a university degree recognized in the country where it was obtained. Additionally, they must demonstrate proficiency in German or English.
Eligibility is determined through a points system that evaluates an applicant’s language skills, professional experience, age, and ties to Germany. A minimum of six points is needed to obtain the Opportunity Card.
Cardholders will be able to enter Germany and search for a job for up to one year, during which they can work up to 20 hours per week in part-time or trial positions.
This new visa scheme eliminates the previous requirement for non-EU residents to have a job contract with a German company before entry, facilitating the process for skilled workers worldwide to explore job opportunities and help mitigate labour shortages in various sectors.
The Scoring System
Applicants can achieve the required six points through a combination of the following factors, even if they do not directly qualify as skilled workers:
- Partial Recognition of Foreign Qualifications: Applicants who have partially recognized their foreign qualifications will receive four points.
- Shortage Occupation: If the applicant’s qualification is in a designated shortage occupation, they will receive one additional point.
- Professional Experience: Applicants with at least two years of relevant experience in the last five years receive two points, while those with at least three years in the last seven years receive three points.
- Language Skills: Proficiency in German at the A2 level earns one point, B1 level earns two points, and B2 or higher earns three points. An additional point is awarded for C1 or native-level English skills.
- Age: Applicants aged 35 or younger receive two points, while those between 35 and 40 receive one point.
- Relation to Germany: Those who have legally and continuously resided in Germany for at least six months in the last five years, excluding tourist visits, receive one additional point.
- Joint Application with Partner: If applying with a spouse or registered partner who also meets the requirements, one extra point can be awarded to one of the applications.
This comprehensive points-based system aims to make it easier for skilled workers to come to Germany, thereby addressing the country’s acute labour shortages.
