Opportunity Card

Come to Germany to look for work: points, money, language, 20 hours of work a week.

The Opportunity Card (§ 20a) lets you come to Germany for up to one year to look for a qualified job.

Conditions

• A foreign degree or at least 2-year vocational qualification recognised by the state in Hong Kong. With full German recognition you qualify directly; otherwise you need at least 6 points (language, experience, age, earlier stays in Germany, partner).
• German A1 (Goethe, telc, ÖSD) or English B2 (Consulate checklist).
• Money: €1,091 a month, that is €13,092 for one year, usually in a blocked account.
• Incoming health insurance covering at least €30,000 for the whole validity.

What you may do

Work up to 20 hours a week and trial work of up to 2 weeks per employer. If you find a qualified job, switch to a skilled-worker permit or Blue Card in Germany. If you do not, a follow-up card for up to 2 years is possible only with a concrete job offer meeting the conditions.

Processing at the Consulate: about 4 weeks. Points calculator: Make it in Germany.