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All work routes·Germany, Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), national visa to look for work, section 20a Residence Act
Work visa check

Check your Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), national visa to look for work, section 20a Residence Act application before you apply

This page shows the conditions the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), national visa to look for work, section 20a Residence Act sets, in the official words, with a free check of your answers. Go over what it finds with a solicitor or a regulated immigration adviser before you apply.

Visa section of the German mission, after it has involved the competent authority in GermanyConsulate General of Germany in Lagos and Embassy of Germany in Abuja, with the competent authority in GermanyOpportunity Card (Chancenkarte), national visa to look for work, section 20a Residence Act

Go over these findings with a solicitor or a regulated immigration adviser before you apply.

What is being checked

The job offer and the employer’s papers, the pay, the language level, your qualifications, any money you must hold, police and health papers, and your past visas.

Why applications fail

Pay below the lowest figure the route sets, missing papers from the employer, or papers that do not match each other.

What our software does

The free check reads your answers against these conditions and shows where they usually fall short. It does not say whether you qualify. Paid work checks are not open yet.

01
Residence Act, section 20a (3) and (4) sentence 3 no. 1; embassy sorting list, item 6

Qualification and its recognition

holds a foreign higher education qualification which is officially recognised in the country where it was acquired

What the decision maker looks at: Whether your degree or vocational qualification is fully recognised in Germany (the skilled worker way in), or, if not, whether it is a degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years that is officially recognised in Nigeria, with the German confirmation the law asks for.

The card needs a real qualification. A university degree counts if it is officially recognised where you got it, and a German office has confirmed it. For a degree, the embassy asks for a Statement of Comparability, or a match in the ANABIN database. A vocational qualification must take at least two years of training. The German office that does recognition decides if your qualification matches. Our software can only see if the papers are there and agree with each other.

Where this comes from 5 official sources
  • b) holds a foreign higher education qualification which is officially recognised in the country where it was acquired, or

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (4) sentence 3 no. 1 (b)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • The foreigner is required to obtain confirmation from a competent German authority that he or she fulfils the prerequisites of sentence 3 no. 1 (a) or (b).

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (4) sentence 4

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Third-country nationals who can prove full equivalence of their foreign qualification and are thus considered to be skilled workers can receive an opportunity card without meeting any other special requirements if they provide evidence that they can support themselves.

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), General information

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • c) University degree with Statement of Comparability

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Proof of Qualification, 2 (c)

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • If your degree does not meet these criteria, you cannot find your degree or the university in ANABIN or the degree does not contain an evaluation, you must complete a certificate evaluation procedure at the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

    Degree recognition through the ANABIN database (German Missions in Nigeria), Search instructions for ANABIN

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • Your degree certificate and transcript of records
  • The Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), or the ANABIN entry for your university and degree
  • For full recognition: the recognition letter from the German recognition body
  • For a vocational qualification: the certificate and proof it is recognised in Nigeria, or the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad certificate
02
Residence Act, section 20a (4) sentence 3 no. 2; embassy sorting list, item 6 (d)

Minimum language level

German language skills at least A1 or English at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

What the decision maker looks at: Whether you show German at level A1 or better, or English at level B2 or better, with a language certificate, if you are not coming in as a fully recognised skilled worker.

If your qualification is not fully recognised in Germany, you must show some language skill. Basic German at level A1 is enough, or English at level B2. You show it with a language certificate. Better German also earns points (see the points ground).

Where this comes from 3 official sources
  • a) demonstrates at least basic knowledge of the German language, or

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (4) sentence 3 no. 2 (a)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • b) demonstrates English language skills corresponding at least to Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (4) sentence 3 no. 2 (b)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • German language skills at least A1 or English at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); and

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Proof of Qualification, PLUS

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A German language certificate at level A1 or higher, or
  • An English language certificate at level B2 or higher
03
Residence Act, section 20a (3) no. 2, section 20b and the Annex table; embassy Qualification Points System

At least 6 points

The minimum number of points required is six.

What the decision maker looks at: If your qualification is not fully recognised in Germany, whether the points you claim add up to at least 6, and whether you have proof for each one.

Points come from a fixed table. Partial recognition of your qualification in Germany gives 4. German at B2 gives 3, B1 gives 2, A2 gives 1. English at C1 gives 1. Five years of work in your field in the last seven gives 3, or two years in the last five gives 2. A job on the shortage list gives 1. Age 35 or under gives 2, and 35 to 40 gives 1. Six months living lawfully in Germany in the last five years gives 1, and a spouse or partner who also meets the rules and applies with you gives 1. You need 6 or more, and each point needs proof.

Where this comes from 7 official sources
  • The minimum number of points required is six.

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Annex (to section 20a (3) no. 2, section 20b)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • 6. if they have work experience of at least five years acquired in the last seven years in connection with and following the acquisition of the occupational qualification or higher education qualification as referred to in section 20a (4) sentence 3 no. 1 (b),

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20b (1) no. 6

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • 9. if they are aged 35 or under when applying for the opportunity card,

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20b (1) no. 9

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • You need at least 6 points to be granted the opportunity card.

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), General information

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • f) At least 5 years of professional experience in the last 7 years related to the professional qualification 3

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Qualification Points System

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • b) Language certificate German B2 or better 3

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Qualification Points System

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • Work contracts, employer statements, salary slips

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Proof required for claimed points

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A short list of the points you claim, with the proof for each
  • Work contracts, employer letters and salary slips for work experience
  • Language certificates for German or English points
  • The partial recognition letter, if you claim those points
  • A short explanation if you claim a shortage occupation
  • Your partner's proof of qualification, if you claim the partner point
04
Residence Act, section 20a (4) sentence 1 and section 2 (3); embassy Financial means page; sorting list, item 10

Means of subsistence

However, the opportunity card may only be granted if the foreigner’s subsistence is secured.

What the decision maker looks at: Whether you show EUR 1,091 for each month of the planned stay, up to one year, by a blocked account confirmation, a formal obligation marked as checked, or a part-time job contract.

You must show you can pay your own way. The embassy sets EUR 1,091 for each month, for up to one year. For a full year that is 12 times EUR 1,091, which is EUR 13,092. Most people use a blocked account. You must open it before you apply, and bring the bank's official confirmation showing the amount paid in and the amount you can take out each month. A transfer receipt on its own is not enough. Another way is a formal obligation signed by someone living in Germany, marked as checked, and not older than six months. A third way is a contract for a part-time job in Germany of up to 20 hours a week paying at least EUR 1,091 a month after tax.

Where this comes from 10 official sources

Evidence that addresses it

  • The bank's official confirmation that the blocked account is open, with the amount paid in and the monthly amount
  • Or a formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklaerung) in original and one copy, not older than six months, marked as checked
  • Or a part-time job contract in Germany of up to 20 hours a week at EUR 1,091 a month or more
05
Residence Act, section 20a (1), (2) and (5); embassy sorting list, items 7 to 9

Purpose: looking for work

An opportunity card (Chancenkarte) is a temporary residence permit granted for the purpose of seeking employment or following measures regarding the recognition of foreign occupational qualifications.

What the decision maker looks at: Whether your CV, letter of motivation and proof of a recent job search in Germany show that you are coming to look for work, and, if you held an Opportunity Card before, whether you stayed abroad long enough before applying again.

This card is for looking for a job, not for a job you already have. You do not need a job offer. But the embassy wants to see that you have started looking: emails about job applications, replies from employers or agencies. It also asks for a CV and a signed letter of motivation that says what you plan to do and why. While you hold the card you may work up to 20 hours a week. If you had a job-search card before, you must stay outside Germany for at least as long as you used it before you can get a new one.

Where this comes from 5 official sources
  • (1) An opportunity card (Chancenkarte) is a temporary residence permit granted for the purpose of seeking employment or following measures regarding the recognition of foreign occupational qualifications.

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (1)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • 1. to pursue employment of up to 20 hours per week and

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (2) no. 1

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • An opportunity card for job searches may only be issued anew if the foreigner, after the expiry of the last opportunity card for job searches, stayed abroad for at least as long as he or she stayed in the federal territory on the basis of an opportunity card for job searches.

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 20a (5)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • proof of recent job place search in Germany,

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Proof of job search

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • 7. CV 8. Letter of Motivation 9. Proof of recent job/vocational training place search in Germany

    Sorting of application: National - Opportunity Card (PDF), Items 7 to 9

    Status: June 2026 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

Evidence that addresses it

  • A CV listing your certificates, training and work experience
  • A signed letter of motivation with your plans for the stay and after it
  • Proof of a recent job search in Germany, such as emails about job applications or agency replies
06
Residence Act, section 5 (1) nos. 1a and 4; embassy sorting list, items 1 to 5 and 11 to 16

Identity, passport and complete documents

Incomplete and unsorted applications will not be accepted.

What the decision maker looks at: Whether your passport meets the embassy's rules, whether your name and date of birth agree across the birth certificate, school results and other papers, and whether every original and copy is there in the order of the sorting list.

The embassy must be sure who you are. Your passport must be issued in the last 10 years, be valid for 6 more months and have two free pages. Bring your birth certificate, school results from primary school up, and an affidavit if your name changed or is spelt in different ways. Bring every original with one black and white copy, sorted as the list says. Papers sent before the appointment do not count.

Where this comes from 4 official sources

Evidence that addresses it

  • Passport issued in the last 10 years, valid for 6 more months, with two free pages, plus a copy of the data page
  • Birth certificate (NPC certificate for births on or after 15 December 1992)
  • Affidavits for any change or difference in names
  • School results in date order, and transcripts
  • The signed application form, the section 54 declaration and the data protection form
  • For non-Nigerians: a copy of your Nigerian residence permit
07
Residence Act, sections 5 (1) no. 2 and 54 (2) no. 8 (a); embassy Important Notice

Forged documents or false information

any visa application submitted with forged documents or documents containing false information will be immediately and automatically rejected.

What the decision maker looks at: Whether any document is forged or any information is false or left out, such as a work letter, a language certificate, a bank confirmation or an earlier refusal.

If any paper is forged or any answer is false, the application is refused at once. You are also put on a warning list that harms later applications, and you can be banned from the whole Schengen area. The law also treats false or missing information given to get a visa as a serious reason to keep someone out. If this is in your refusal, a solicitor or a regulated immigration adviser should look at it before you do anything else.

Where this comes from 4 official sources
  • The consulate expressly points out that any visa application submitted with forged documents or documents containing false information will be immediately and automatically rejected.

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Important Notice

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • And the applicant will be issued a Schengen-wide entry ban.

    Opportunity Card (German Missions in Nigeria), Important Notice

    checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • a) has furnished false or incomplete information in order to obtain a German residence title, a Schengen visa, an airport transit visa, a passport substitute, eligibility for exemption from the passport requirement or the suspension of deportation or,

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 54 (2) no. 8 (a)

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

  • 2. there is no public interest in expelling the foreigner,

    Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), English translation, Section 5 (1) no. 2

    Translation includes amendments by Article 3 of the Act of 8 May 2024 (BGBl. 2024 I Nr. 152) · checked against the page on 4 November 2026

The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) lets you come to Germany for up to one year to look for a job. It is a job-search route, not a job offer route: you do not need a job offer or an employer to apply. You, the worker, apply yourself. The German mission decides, usually the Consulate General in Lagos, and it must involve the competent authority in Germany first. There are two ways in. If your degree or vocational qualification is fully recognised in Germany, you count as a skilled worker and you only need to show you can pay your way. If not, you need a degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years that is officially recognised in the country where you got it (or a qualification from a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad), German at level A1 or English at level B2, and at least 6 points from the points table. Every applicant must show EUR 1,091 for each month, most often in a blocked account. The steps, in order: check your qualification in ANABIN or get it assessed, take a language test, open a blocked account or get a formal obligation from someone in Germany, start your job search in Germany, apply online through the Consular Services Portal, go to your appointment with every original and one set of copies, pay the EUR 75 fee, and wait for the decision. If the visa is given, you go to the foreigners authority (Auslaenderbehoerde) as soon as you arrive. While you hold the card you may work up to 20 hours a week and try out jobs for up to two weeks. The law also lets the government limit how many cards are given each year. The official pages do not list refusal reasons, so these grounds follow the documents the embassy asks for and what sections 20a and 20b of the Residence Act say. Your refusal notice gives the reasons for your case. The make-it-in-germany.com portal could not be read by our software, so nothing here is taken from it. Go over these findings with a solicitor or a regulated immigration adviser before you apply.

Free check

Where does your work visa application stand?

A few questions, read against the conditions above. Nothing you choose leaves this page.

  1. 1 How will you show the language the route asks for?

    Some routes set a level in English or in the country’s own language.

  2. 2 Are your qualifications ready to show?

    Some routes need your degree or licence to be recognised, checked or registered in that country first.

  3. 3 Can you show the money the route asks you to hold?

    Some routes ask you to hold money for living costs for a set time, unless the employer covers it.

  4. 4 What is your visa history?

    A past refusal for any country has to be told about and answered.

Answer all 4 questions to see the result. Nothing you choose leaves this page.

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