Opportunity Card

§ 20a AufenthG: six points, money, 20 hours of work, online application.

The Opportunity Card is a permit of up to one year to search for work in Germany (§ 20a AufenthG). The Embassy in Nairobi says it is applied for online via the consular services portal, not through TLScontact (Visa and Embassy).

Requirements

• You are already a recognised skilled worker, or you reach 6 points with a qualification recognised in your country of training.
• Language: German A1 or English B2 as the entry level in the law. How a Kenyan applicant proves English B2 (certificate or other proof) is not confirmed; ask the Embassy.
• Points: for example qualification, experience, language, age (up to 35 scores most), shortage occupation. See the points table on Make it in Germany.
• Money: secure living costs of €1,091 a month (§ 20a (4) S. 1), for example in a blocked account. €1,091 is the administrative practice stated by the Embassy and Make it in Germany; § 2 (3) does not add the 10 percent surcharge for § 20a (only for §§ 16d, 16f, 17), so it is not a statutory figure. Money and transfers.

Work while you search

Up to 20 hours a week (§ 20a (2) Nr. 1) and trial employment (Nr. 2). With a job offer you change to a skilled-worker permit: Skilled worker.

Qualification: the permit needs a qualification recognised in the country of training. Check first: Recognition.