While for most people, the easiest way to relocate to countries in Europe outside of studies is through job offers, it is possible to relocate to Germany even without a job offer, as a Nigerian or anyone from the international community.
This is thanks to what is known as the Chancenkarte or the German Opportunity Card. With this, you will have the opportunity to stay in the country for up to 12 months, during which you are expected to secure a job that will allow you to apply for a permit that will keep you in the country for a much longer time.
What is the German Opportunity Card?
The German Opportunity Card is a visa program that offers skilled and talented individuals from the international community the opportunity to enter Germany without a prearranged job, allowing them up to a year to find employment.
This card offers two paths to migrating to Germany: the Skilled Work route and the Point-based route. While the skills-based route emphasizes qualification, the point-based system is about things such as experience, language skills, and age, among other things.
Steps to Relocate to Germany without a Job Offer
One can relocate to Germany through the Opportunity Card after applying and securing a job seeker visa. This is necessary even if you hold a valid Schengen visa for Germany. After this, you will be required to apply for a work visa.
Before you begin the process, ensure that you either meet the requirements for the skilled or point-based system to be considered.
If you are going to Germany as a skilled worker, you must meet the following requirements:
- Proof of your qualification, which may be in the form of a university degree from a foreign or German university, a statement of comparability through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), or vocational training that is recognized in Germany.
- Proof of Funds that you have enough finances to support yourself during your stay. This may be in the form of a Blocked Account (money you cannot use until after you arrive in Germany), a letter of Guarantee, or a part-time contract.
- Health insurance coverage.
For the skilled worker route, you do not need to submit proof of language proficiency.
If you are relocating through the point-based system, you must meet the following requirements:
- University qualification or vocational training of not less than 2 years.
- Proof of Language Proficiency (either A1 level or above Knowledge of German or B2 level or higher knowledge of English.
- Proof of Funds.
- Health insurance coverage.
Bringing all these together, you must score at least 6 points. You can secure 4 points if your qualification is recognized by the German authority, 3 points if you hold proof of language proficiency ( at level B2 or above), or if you have a 5-year of professional experience in the last 7 years.
Being under age 35 or being proficient in German at level B1 earns you 2 points. You also earn this amount of points if in the last 5 years, you have 2 years of professional experience.
1 point is awarded to individuals between the ages of 36 to 40, or if you are proficient in German at level A2 or English proficiency at the C1 level. If your spouse meets the requirements for the opportunity card or you have a skill in a bottleneck profession (profession in demand), or you have resided in Germany legally for at least 6 months in the last years, apart from as a tourist, you will earn a point.
Documents you need to have to apply for a German job seeker visa
- A Nigerian Passport with a validity of at least 6 months and with at least 2 blank pages.
- Evidence of academic qualifications.
- Evidence of professional qualifications (CV and other professional achievements).
- Proof of language proficiency.
- Cover Letter.
- Proof of Funds showing a minimum of EUR 947 per month.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Proof of travel insurance with a minimum of EUR 30,000 for medical coverage.
- Health Insurance coverage.
- Civil status documents such as a birth certificate or declaration of age, a marriage certificate if you are married, and a family certificate if applicable.
See Also: What Documents Do You Need to Relocate Abroad?
Benefits of the German Opportunity Card
Beyond the fact that this visa makes it possible for you to relocate to Germany from Nigeria without a job offer, it has other benefits, including the following:
- You are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours per week while searching for full-time employment.
- You have the opportunity of up to a year to search for employment.
- You can transition to permanent residency after securing a job and working in the country for a few years.
Conclusion
In simple terms, if you hold a university degree equivalent to one in Germany, you have professional or academic experience of between 2 to 5 years, you have enough funds, you have a proof of language proficiency in either English or German, you may be qualified for the job seeker visa which will allow you to relocate to Germany from Nigeria even without a job offer.
