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Chancenkarte - "opportunity card"
Weiblicher Azubi im Holzhandwerk bei der Arbeit, Holzbearbeitung. 75 Jahre Internationale Handwerksmesse IHM Muenchen am 28.02.2024. ?, © picture alliance / SvenSimon
The opportunity card is aimed at non-EU nationals who hold an academic degree or a professional qualification.
Visa-free travel
Japanese citizens may apply for their residence permit at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) after arrival in Germany and without having obtained a visa prior to travelling to Germany. Please note that you need to register your new residence (Anmeldung) with the authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks after having moved in and apply for the residence permit at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.
The visa-free privilege also applies to citizens of Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, New Zealand, Korea (Republic) and the United States of America.
All other nationalities require an opportunity card visa prior to travelling to Germany.
General information
The opportunity card is initially issued for a maximum of one year provided that you are able to secure your subsistence for that period of time. Proof that you will be able to support yourself for the duration of your stay in Germany can be provided in the form of a blocked account or a declaration of commitment, for example. At least 1,027 euros per month (as of 2024) are generally required. You are allowed to have one or more part-time jobs up to 20 hours a week. You can also take up trial jobs for a maximum of two weeks per employer to familiarise yourself with potential jobs The aim of the job trial must be either to obtain qualified employment, an apprenticeship or a qualification program.
The opportunity card can be obtained in two ways:
Pathway 1: Skilled workers
Third-country nationals who can prove that their foreign qualification is fully equivalent and are therefore considered 'skilled workers' can obtain the opportunity card without any further special requirements if they can prove that they are able to support themselves.
In this pathway
a) You must hold a German academic degree or a comparable foreign academic degree. Your degree course must have taken a minimum of 2 years to complete. In order to find out whether your foreign degree is deemed comparable, please check whether both your degree and the awarding academic institution are listed as comparable in the official Anabin database
If either is not listed, you need to obtain a “Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications” issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
OR
b) You must have undergone professional training in Germany or overseas. Your training must have taken a minimum of 2 years to complete. Any professional qualification obtained overseas must have been fully recognised by the competent body in Germany and you must be able to provide the formal recognition notice. To find out more about having your qualification recognized please refer to this database.
Pathway 2: Scoring-system
The points-based pathway provides a separate option for individuals holding an academic or professional qualification that is not deemed comparable or has not (yet) been fully recognised. The following basic requirements must be fulfilled for the opportunity card on a points basis:
- Completion of a degree or at least two years of professional training that is recognised by the state in which it was obtained. Additionally, your degree or professional training needs to be assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). If you completed a category A vocational education and training at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) that meets the requirements of the Vocational Training Act [BBiG], this qualification may also be suitable. The AHK abroad or the BiBB can provide you with information on whether your qualification fulfils these requirements.
- German language skills at least at level A1 or English language skills at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Higher proficiency levels than the minimum requirements in either language are an additional advantage in the point-based system.
- a score of at least 6 points in the points-based system. For additional information on the points-based system including a self-check, please refer to this link
- sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay in Germany.
What documents to provide for your visa application
- One (1) completely filled out and signed visa application form. Please use the VIDEX website to fill out the application online. Please ensure to print out and submit all pages of the application form, including the barcodes. Sign (according to the signature in your passport) the form on pages 5 and 6.
- One (1) signed declaration of accuracy of information and consent for returning passport by mail
One (1) original passport picture 35 x 45 mm, biometric standard, white background, no older than 6 months
digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted, print-outs on paper are not accepted
Resolution 600 dpi/sharp and clear photo
Please stick one of the passport photos on the space provided in the application formValid passport (original) and one copy of the identity page and, if applicable, of the signature page
We will keep the passport during the evaluation of your visa application. If you require the passport after application and during the processing procedure, please submit an informal written justification (English/German) at the time of application and your passport will be returned to you. However, your passport must be sent in upon our request.
Passport must
- be valid for at least 15 months longer than the intended day of entry in Germany
- have at least two empty pages
- have been issued within the last 10 years
- If applicable: copies of previous national visa/permit of stay in Germany
- If applicable: Japanese residence card (original and one copy of both sides)
Proof of Health insurance upon day of entry to Germany (Confirmation of health insurance cover by the German Public Health insurance, if employment health insurance starts later than the day of entry to Germany a Schengen travel health insurance for the time being can be provided ) - copy sufficient
Return-envelope with your address in Japan
For applicants at the German Embassy in Tokyo:
Letter pack Plus (600 yen) - self addressed; Only the return of the passport by post is possible
For applicants at the German Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe:
If you wish to receive your passport in return by mail, you can return it by takkyubin cash on delivery. In this case, please enclose a self-addressed return DIN A4 envelope.Evidence of at least 1,027 euros per month (as of 2024) i.e. € 12,324 for the standard validity period of the opportunity card of 12 months is generally required. Proof can be provided by:
German or Japanese bank statements in your name showing that you hold a continous and sustainable balance of the above-mentioned amount (original and one (1) copy)
Blocked account Please open the blocked account in good time before applying for a visa. When applying for a visa, only the official opening confirmation from the bank stating the total amount paid in and the monthly amount available will be accepted.
formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) issues by the local immigration office in Germany (original and one (1) copy)
If available: any additional evidence of further preparations for finding a job in Germany (i.e. correspondence with prospective employers, job offers, agency enquiries etc.)
Professional/academic curriculum vitae (in German or English) personally signed by yourself
Proof of vocational or academic training (for example university degree, diploma) and (if applicable) prior work experience, original and one (1) copy. Any original will be returned to you during your appointment. Documents issued in a language other than German, English or French need to be translated into one of these languages by a certified or sworn translator
- Academic degree: Anabin database printouts listing both your degree and the awarding institution OR “Statement of Comparability” issued by the the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
- Vocational training: Proof of recognition of your training; additional information can be found here
- Self-check result according to the test on this website (one (1) copy of the final result showing your points in total)
Academic degree or evidence of professional qualification, original and one (1) copy
Photocopy of the confirmation that your degree/qualification has been assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
Evidence of German and/or English language proficiency
Certificates issued by any institution testing in accordance with the standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) are accepted for both German and English. IELTS and TOEFL are also accepted as evidence for English. The tests may not be older than one year.Evidence of professional experience in relation to your formal qualification within the last 7 years (if applicable in the points-based system)
Confirmation in writing by your previous employer/s confirming the dates of employment as well as providing a description of the responsibilities.Evidence of previous residence in Germany within the last 5 years (if applicable in the points-based system)
Confirmation of registration (Meldebescheinigung), rental agreements, employment contracts and/or similar
In this visa category, most applications are typically processed within 2 weeks (not guaranteed). We do not recommend to book a flight before you have received the result of the visa application. Although we will provide you with a file number, please understand that we cannot respond to questions regarding the status of your visa application. Should we have any questions or should we require additional documentation to process your application, we will contact you.
Where to apply for the visa / where to book your appointment
You can easily apply for your visa online via the foreign portal of the Federal Foreign Office. This will support you in preparing the documents by checking them in advance. You can view the status of your application online at any time.
This is how the online application works:
Step 1: Complete your application form online and upload your documents.
Step 2: Submit your application. Your details and documents will be checked for completeness. You will receive online feedback. If your application is complete, you will receive a link to book your appointment.
Step 3: Use the link you receive to book an appointment online at your diplomatic mission abroad.
Step 4: Attend your appointment on site. During this appointment, your identity will be checked and your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) recorded. You can then pay the fee.
Step 5: Track your application status online.
Please do not book an appointment directly via our appointment system. You will get a separate link for booking the appointment during step 3 by e-mail!
Apply online here: Consular Services Portal | Opportunity Card (diplo.de)
Additional information
The German missions are unable to provide individual advice. For any additional information on the qualifications required, the recognition of qualifications etc. please contact the advisory service set up by the Federal Government; details are available here.