Advantages for Non-EU Applicants: Unlocking Opportunities in Germany

• Swift Access to Germany : Eliminates the need for a permanent employment contract, streamlining the entry process for non-EU applicants.
• Path to Permanent Residence: Offers the potential for long-term settlement in Germany, providing a stable foundation for building a future.
• Financial Security: Ensures a reliable income source, enabling applicants to sustain themselves while pursuing employment opportunities.
• Assured Work Authorization: Grants immediate permission to work in Germany upon successful application, facilitating a smooth transition into the job market.
• Opportunity for Full-Time Employment: Opens doors to both part-time and full-time job prospects, maximizing employment possibilities.

Basic Requirements for Eligibility

Facilitating Employment Search

• Completion of at least two years of vocational training or a university degree.
• Basic proficiency in either German (A1) or English (B2).
• Financial self-sufficiency during their stay in Germany.

Potential for Permanent Residence

• Allows extension of stay upon securing employment, with the possibility to transition to full- time roles.
• Enables application for longer-term residence titles based on future job offers or employment contracts.

Ensuring Financial Stability

• Enables part-time employment with earnings above the minimum wage, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
• Offers the prospect of increased income with transition to full-time employment, depending on qualifications and sector.

Streamlined Application Process

• Replaces the need for a visa with the Opportunity Card, easing entry for non-EU workers seeking employment in Germany.
• Requires proof of financial stability and basic language proficiency as prerequisites for application.

Key Advantages of the Opportunity Card

• Offers a simplified pathway to enter Germany, bypassing complex examination procedures.
• Grants a 12-month stay to explore job opportunities, including part-time roles and trial jobs.
• Provides flexibility to engage with potential employers and secure suitable employment matching qualifications.

Advantages for Employers: Addressing the Skilled Labor Shortage

• Expanded Applicant Pool : Access to a wider range of qualified candidates from non-EU countries, enriching the talent pool and mitigating the impact of skilled labor shortages.
• Simplified Entry Conditions : Streamlined entry process for prospective workers, reducing bureaucratic barriers and facilitating a smoother transition into the German job market.
• Efficient Approval Procedure : Elimination of cumbersome approval processes, enabling quicker integration of foreign workers into the workforce.
• Accelerated Job Start : Fast-track entry into employment opportunities, allowing employers to fill vacancies promptly and efficiently.
• Inclusion of Low-Skilled Jobs : Provision for basic or part-time employment, providing flexibility for both employers and workers to engage in various job arrangements.

Basic Requirements for the Opportunity Card

• Allowing qualified non-EU citizens without a permanent contract to enter Germany for job hunting based on a points system.
• Permitting part-time work and trial jobs.
• Requiring proof of at least two years of vocational training or a university degree, along with language proficiency and financial stability.

Key Advantages of the Opportunity Card

Larger Applicant Pool

• Offers access to a diverse pool of applicants, expanding recruitment possibilities for employers.
• Grants a 12-month residence permit, enhancing the prospects of permanent residence for candidates engaged in trial or part-time work.

Simple Entry Conditions

• Facilitates entry for workers through a straightforward application process, either locally or at German missions abroad.
• Provides immediate Opportunity Card issuance for skilled workers with recognized qualifications.

Simplified Approval Procedure

• Eliminates the need for external approval by the Federal Employment Agency, expediting the application process.
• Grants a 12-month residence permit upon meeting all requirements, enabling swift commencement of job search activities.
• Grants a 12-month residence permit upon meeting all requirements, enabling swift commencement of job search activities.

Fast-track Entry into the Workplace

• Ensures a rapid integration into the German labor market, fostering a conducive environment for employment.
• Enables smooth transition to another residence title upon securing employment, offering long- term prospects for both employers and workers.

Contracting for Basic Work

• Allows for flexible arrangements, including part-time employment of up to 20 hours per week, catering to various job preferences.  Provides security through pre-entry contract agreements, ensuring clarity and stability for both parties.