Germany introduces 'Opportunity Card' for international students

The new 'Opportunity Card' introduced by Germany has many benefits for international students. It offers easy entry to students, earning and job search opportunities.

Germany has launched the Opportunity Card called Chancenkarte for international students from non-EU countries. It offers various advantages and a successful application allows you to get a work permit immediately.

This initiative marks a significant shift in immigration policy and allows students to enter Germany without the need for family sponsorship or a permanent job offer. The students can avail of Opportunity Card and seek employment in Germany.

Benefits of Opportunity Card

The following are the benefits of the card:

• It offers earning potential up to over 1000 monthly income.
• The entry process gets easy and simplified.
• This initiative allows flexibility with the work permit for up to 20 hours a week.
• The Card allows one year of residency with chances of getting a permanent permit.
• It provides job search opportunities through which the candidates get qualified to find full-time and part-time jobs.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the conditions for eligibility:

• The international student must have a relevant university degree or finished a minimum of two years of vocational training in the home country.
• The language prerequisite is that the candidate should be proficient either in English or German language. English language skills at level B2 is required or German language skills at level A1.
• The candidate needs to show proof of adequate financial resources to sustain themselves in Germany for a year. The proof includes an employment contract for a part-time job. The financial resources should be amounting to more than 12,000 Euros.

Opportunity Card: Point Distribution

The students must reach a total of six points to secure the Opportunity Card.

One point is given to the applicants whose age is not more than 40 years and at least six months of previous stay in Germany is required which should not be as a tourist. A document proof is needed to prove this condition.

One point is offered for reasonable knowledge of German (A2), very good knowledge of English (C1), if one applies for the Card along with a spouse, and if your vocational training/university degree is in an area of official labour shortage in Germany.

The applicant gets two points if they are not older than 35, or have German language skills at level B1, and also for two years’ professional experience preceded by vocational training (in the last five years).

Three points for good German language skills at level B2, or it is awarded for five years of professional experience (in the last seven years) in the learned profession with the preceding two years of professional training.

Very few applicants get 4 points that require permission to practice a regulated profession (e.g. teacher, nurse or engineer) or for partial recognition of a foreign professional qualification.

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