The German Opportunity Card is the door that opens up several job opportunities for Indian workers who want to live, work, and earn a living in Germany. The Opportunity Card is basically a residence permit that allows foreign workers to enter Germany in search of jobs.
The Germany Opportunity Card has emerged as a valuable tool for Indian graduates seeking employment in Germany, enabling them to visit the country, search for jobs, and apply for long-term work visas.
Even without a job offer, Indians can apply for the German Opportunity Card and explore jobs after reaching Germany.
The Opportunity Card allows holders to take a two-week trial or part-time job for up to 20 hours a week, and stay in Germany for one year.
The Opportunity Card is issued for a period of up to one year. If you receive an employment contract or a binding job offer for qualified employment during your stay, you can obtain a follow-up Opportunity Card or another residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment from the local foreigners authority in Germany, provided you fulfill the relevant requirements.
A points system is used to determine whether you are eligible for the Opportunity Card based on your qualifications, knowledge and circumstances.
A minimum score of six points is required for this. If you have a vocational qualification or degree obtained or recognised in Germany, you can apply for the Opportunity Card as a skilled worker without having to achieve a minimum number of points. However, in both cases, you must also fulfil the basic requirements.
Among the basic requirements, you need to have sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses for the duration of your stay in Germany. To support yourself in Germany, proof of self-sufficiency can be provided through a blocked account or declaration of commitment, for example. At least 1,091 euros per month (as of 2025) are generally required.
To apply as a skilled worker, you need to have a University degree or a vocational qualification obtained or recognised in Germany.
To apply on a points basis, you need to show evidence of completion of a degree or at least two years of vocational training that is recognised by the state in which it was obtained.
Also, when you apply on a points basis, you need to have German language skills at least at level A1 or English language skills at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
You can apply for the Opportunity Card online in the Consular Services Portal or locally at your German mission. When applying online, you can use a points calculator to determine how many points you will receive for your qualifications, knowledge and living conditions, unless you already qualify directly as a skilled worker.
Some German missions abroad work together with service providers to check applications. These service providers help to ensure that applications are processed quickly and smoothly and may charge a service fee for this. You will find out during the application process whether the German mission or consulate responsible for you works with a service provider and what service fee is charged.
You can only apply for your visa at the German mission, depending on the state where you reside in India.
Candidates from Karnataka and Kerala can apply from the Bangalore German Mission.
Candidates from States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the Union Territory of Puducherry can apply from the Chennai Mission.
In the Kolkata Mission, candidates from the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and West Bengal can apply.
Those who want to apply from Mumbai Mission, candidates need to be from the states of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Union Territories of Daman and Diu as well as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
From the New Delhi Mission, only candidates from states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal) and Union Territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Minicoy, Amindivi Islands, and Bhutan are allowed to apply.