Opportunity Card points system 2024
Calculate your score for the 2024 Opportunity Card - how the points system works
Do I have enough points for an Opportunity Card?
From June 1, 2024, there will be an opportunity card in Germany. There are two ways to apply for one such card to qualify: Either via a classification as a skilled worker according to § 18 para. 3 AufenthG or via a differentiated points system. If you are considered a skilled worker, you have easier access to the opportunity card. However, if you are not a specialist, the question of whether you can obtain an opportunity card is determined by this points system. With our simple, free points calculator you can find out quickly and easily whether you are eligible you are eligible for an opportunity card.
Points calculator Chance card
Basics of the points calculator for the Opportunity Card
This calculator is based on the relevant provisions of the Residence Act, in particular § 20b AufenthG and the associated annex to the Residence Act. This test can calculate the number of points you will receive on this basis, and determine whether this score is sufficient to obtain an opportunity card. In addition, this test asks about the general basic requirements of the Opportunity Card. However, no test, no matter how well developed, can cover all eventualities in real life. If you would like a well-founded, conclusive legal assessment of your case, then please feel free to contact our lawyers. We advise Sou on all questions relating to the topic of the Chancery Card.
Training or studies
The points calculator for the opportunity card begins with the question of whether you have completed vocational traininga university degree or a professional qualification obtained from a German chamber of commerce abroad have a qualification from a German chamber of commerce abroad. This question is particularly important because you can only receive an opportunity card via the points system if you have completed a degree or at least two years of training abroad that is recognized by the state there, or if you have a professional qualification from a German chamber of commerce abroad. None of these qualifications in themselves earn you points, but if you do not have any of the three, you do not meet the requirements for obtaining an opportunity card.
However, there is one exception to this, namely if you have completed foreign training, for which an authority has determined that in order to establish equivalence with German training or to issue a license to practice a profession adaptation or compensation measures or further qualifications are necessary are required. In this case, you can receive an opportunity card via the points system even if you do not have any of the three qualifications in question.
You can find out more about the general requirements for an opportunity card and its benefits here.
Professional experience
Next, we ask about your professional experience. If you have had more than five years of professional experience in the last seven years, you will receive 3 points. For two years of professional experience in the last five years you will receive 2 points. Unfortunately, no points are awarded for professional experience of less than two years. It is important to note that you should only enter professional experience in the professional field for which your training or studies qualify you. For example, if you have Mathematics, for exampleyou will only receive points for work experience in mathematical professions.
Occupational field
We will then ask you in which professional field you completed your training. You will receive 1 pointif your vocational training or university degree was in a so-called shortage occupation i.e. an occupation that is in particularly high demand in this country.
List of shortage occupations:
- Specialists in information and communication technology
- Architects
- Designer
- Doctors (incl. dentists and veterinarians)
- Physiotherapists
- Engineers and engineering scientists
- Mathematician
- Scientist
- Teacher
- Spatial, urban and traffic planners
- Managers in production, construction and logistics
- Managers in the healthcare sector
Language skills
Next, we ask how good your language skills are. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, you will receive 3 points for German language skills at the level B2 or better, 2 points for German language skills at level B1and 1 point for knowledge of German at level A2. In addition, you will receive for knowledge of English at the level C1 also 1 point.
But even more important: If you do not have either basic knowledge of the German language (at least level A1) or English language skills at level B2 or higher, you will not be able to not receive an Opportunity Card at all.
Age
We will also ask you how old you are. The reason for this is to give preference to younger people. Anyone 35 years or younger will therefore receive 2 pointswho 40 years or younger gets 1 point.
Stays in the past
If you have been registered within the last five years for at least six months in Germany within the last five years, you will receive 1 point. This stay must be lawfullyi.e. with an appropriate visa or residence permit, and uninterrupted have taken place. Minor interruptions, such as a short visit to family or friends, which do not result in the main focus of the stay no longer being in Germany, are not a problem.Germany are, however, unproblematic.
Spouse
Next, we ask whether you have a spouse or registered partner havewho would also like to apply for an opportunity card. If this is the case and your spouseyour spouse also fulfills the requirements for the Chancenkarte and has applied for it at the same diplomatic mission or immigration authority.authority authority as you, you will both receive 1 point. However, the prerequisite for this is that you both enter Germany together and when submitting the application each refer to the application of the partner reference to the partner's application.
Financial resources
Finally, we ask whether you have sufficient financial means at your disposal. There are no points for this, but it is a mandatory requirement of the opportunity card, that that you are able to support yourself and, under certain circumstances, your your close relatives. You can do this either through a blocked account prove this, from which you can only withdraw a certain amount per month. In 2024, you will have to withdraw 1,027euros per monthfor each month, i.e. a total of 12,324 euros for one year. Alternatively, you can also secure your living expenseswith a declaration of commitment or, if applicable, with an employment contractwhich shows a sufficient monthly income, provide evidence.
The points system at a glance
In the following table, we have once again compiled a clear overview of how many points are awarded for which qualifications and characteristics. The table is based onon § Section 20b (1) and (2) AufenthG and the associated annex. If you receive at least 6 points you can obtain an opportunity card in Germany.
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Foreign vocational training for which an authority has determined that adaptation or compensation measures or further qualifications are required to establish equivalence with German training or to grant a license to practice the profession | 4 |
| German language skills at level B2 | 3 |
| German language skills at level B1 | 2 |
| German language skills at level A2 | 1 |
| English language skills at level C1 | 1 |
| Five years of relevant professional experience in the past seven years in a profession for which the training or studies qualify | 3 |
| Two years of relevant professional experience in the past five years in a profession for which the training or studies qualify | 2 |
| Vocational training or university degree in a shortage occupation (§ 18g para. 1 sentence 2 no. 1) | 1 |
| 35 years or younger | 2 |
| 40 years or younger | 1 |
| At least six months of uninterrupted legal residence in Germany in the past five years | 1 |
| Spouse or registered partner fulfills the requirements of the Chancenkarte, has applied for it at the same office, enters Germany together and the application refers to this | 1 |
Application for the Opportunity Card
You have 6 points or more? Wonderful!
We will be happy to help you apply for your Chancenkarte so that you can make your way to Germany soon, to find work here.