Opportunity Card

§ 20a AufenthG: up to one year to look for work; points, money, 20 hours a week.

The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) lets qualified people enter Germany to search for a job. The Lagos consulate lists it as an online-portal category (Visa and embassy).

What it is (§ 20a AufenthG)

• A permit of up to one year. Two entries: you are already a recognised skilled worker, or you reach 6 points with a qualification recognised in your country, plus German A1 or English B2 (§ 20a).
• Points: for example age, language, professional experience, shortage occupation, partial recognition.
• Money: secure living costs, €1,091 a month (§ 20a (4) S. 1; amount used in practice: 992 € + 10 %, since § 2 (3) S. 6 names only §§ 16d, 16f (1), 17), for example in a blocked account.
• Trial employment of at most 2 weeks each is allowed. A follow-up Opportunity Card of up to 2 years is possible (§ 20a (5)).
• Work allowed: up to 20 hours a week (§ 20a (2) Nr. 1) and trial employment (Nr. 2).
• Accepted English tests and proof of recognition of Nigerian qualifications for the points were not checked here. Nigeria is an English-speaking country but a certificate may still be required; ask the consulate.

Information: Make it in Germany. Amounts: Costs. Recognition: Recognition.