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Chancenkarte

Germany, with its robust economy, rich cultural heritage, and world-renowned education system, has become an increasingly attractive destination for professionals from around the globe.
For South Africans seeking to build a new life in Europe, the Chancenkarte, or “Opportunity Card,” offers a promising pathway

What is the Chancenkarte?

The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is a points-based immigration system introduced by Germany to attract skilled workers from non-EU countries.
Modelled after the Canadian and Australian immigration systems, this card aims to fill gaps in the German labour market by offering opportunities to qualified professionals.
The Chancenkarte allows individuals to live in Germany while they search for a job, providing up to six months to secure employment.

Understanding the Opportunity Card

The card is designed to simplify the process for skilled workers to move to Germany, ensuring that the country can fill its critical labour gaps with qualified professionals.

As someone from outside the EU/EEA, you can obtain an opportunity card in two ways:

  • You have completed vocational or academic training successfully. The qualification must be recognized by the country where you obtained it and involves at least two years of vocational training. To bolster your visa application, you’ll need a positive assessment of this qualification, obtainable online through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
  • Proof of language proficiency: You either have German language skills of at least level A1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or English language skills of at least level B2 (CEFR). 

Foreign Qualifications without recognition

  • You hold a foreign vocational qualification or a foreign university degree. These do not have to be officially recognised in Germany but the qualification must be recognized by the country where you obtained it and involves at least two years of vocational training. To bolster your visa application, you’ll need a positive assessment of this qualification, obtainable online through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
  • You can demonstrate basic (level A1) German or good (level B2) English language skills
  •  A score of at least six points in the points system
  •  Secure financial means: blocked account with at least €1,027 per month (as of 2024) or Declaration of Commitment.

Recognised Skilled Worker

You are a skilled worker as defined in Section 18 of Germany’s Residence Act. This means 

In this case, there are no additional requirements to be met to obtain an opportunity card.

 

The points based system

The points system only pertains to you, if you cannot prove that you have a German qualification or that your foreign qualification is fully recognised.
To apply for an opportunity card visa, you must provide evidence of your formal qualifications and necessary language skills.
Points can be earned based on the following criteria:

Qualifications

If you’ve already applied for recognition of your foreign qualification and it’s deemed partially equivalent, you’ll earn four points. Even if you need to undergo compensatory measures to obtain a license for a regulated profession, you’ll still receive these four points.

Language

You’ll earn points for German language skills above level A1 (CEFR): one point for A2, two points for B1, and three points for B2 or higher. Additionally, you’ll get an extra point for English skills at level C1 or above, or if you’re a native speaker.

Previous stays in Germany

Have you already lived in Germany? If you can prove that you have legally resided in Germany for at least six continuous months in the past five years, you will receive one point. This includes stays for study, language learning, or work. However, stays for tourism or visiting people do not count. You can submit copies of old passports, visas, and entry stamps as evidence.

Experience

Points are also awarded for professional experience related to your formal qualification gained after graduation. You will receive two points for at least two years of professional experience within the last five years. For at least five years of professional experience within the last seven years, you will receive three points.

Age

You also earn points based on your age. If you are 35 or younger, you receive two points until the day you turn 35. Those between 35 and 40 are awarded one point.

Shortage occupation

If your formal qualification is in a shortage occupation, you’ll receive one point. To see which occupations are in high demand, check the List of Professions in Demand

Spouses or life partners

Are you married or in a partnership and looking to come to Germany with your partner using an opportunity card? If your partner already qualifies for an opportunity card, you will receive an additional point in the points system. With this advantage, your partner can also complete the self-check for the opportunity card.

Additional information

  • If you are seeking employment in a regulated profession, i.e. in healthcare, a professional practice permit (Berufsausübungserlaubnis) is mandatory. For more information on the recognition procedure, please see Recognition
  • Have you completed vocational training? If so, you must provide proof of possessing the German language skills required for the job you are seeking. Generally speaking, a minimum level of B1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.
  • You are able to prove that you can cover your costs of living since you are not able to enter into remunerated employment during this time. Proof of being able to cover living costs can be provided in the form of a blocked bank account or a Declaration of Commitment.
 

The Application Process

Applying for the Opportunity Card involves several steps:

  1. Self-Assessment: Prospective applicants can use online tools to estimate their points based on the criteria.
  2. Make an appointment at the German embassy for a Type D Visa
  3. Apply for the visa in your country of residence. Document Submission: Proof of qualifications, experience, and language skills must be provided.
  4. Verification and Approval: Applications are reviewed by German authorities to ensure authenticity and eligibility.
  5. Issuance of the Visa: Once approved, the Opportunity Card is issued, allowing entry and work in Germany.
  6. Enter Germany
  7. Register at the Bürgeramt (Local Town office)
  8. Apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners office)
 
This flyer from Make it in Germany is very informative.

 

Leagal basis

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Germany is a popular destination for immigrants from all over the world due to its strong economy and high standard of living. The country has a long history of immigration, with the first wave of immigrants arriving in the 1950s and 1960s to help rebuild the country.
Today, Germany is home to a diverse population of immigrants. In recent years, the country has seen an increase in refugees and asylum seekers, with over 1.5 million people seeking asylum in Germany since 2015.

The German government has implemented various policies and programs to manage immigration and integration, including language and job training programs for immigrants, as well as measures to combat discrimination and xenophobia. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the introduction of the Skilled Immigration Act in 2020, which aims to attract highly skilled workers from outside the European Union to fill labour shortages in various industries.

Our “I want to work or live in Germany” page summarises all your options to legally come to Germany

I want to work or live in Germany

Important facts South African citizens need a visa to travel to Germany and a residence permit to stay longer than 90 days A visa allows you to enter the country, you apply for your visa at the German Embassy in South Africa. You must apply for the correct long-stay visa, this is linked to the residence permit you will apply for once you are in Germany. For a list of long-stay visas and their relevant information please view our long-stay visas page. After arriving in Germany, you need to register at the Foreigners Office (Ausländerbehörde) Thereafter you need to apply for a residence permit (Aufenhaltstitel or Aufenhaltserlaubnis), which

Visas

It is essential to obtain the appropriate visa before your departure. A visa is a legal requirement that allows foreigners to enter and stay in Germany for a limited duration.
Depending on your nationality, the purpose of your trip, and the length of stay, you may need to apply for a Schengen visa (Type C) or a national visa (Type D).
It is advisable to research the requirements and gather all the necessary documents well in advance. An incomplete application or missing documents could lead to a delay or rejection of your application. With the proper visa in hand, you can enjoy your visit to Germany with peace of mind and the ability to fully immerse yourself in the country’s culture and beauty.

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List of Long Stay Visas

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List of Short stay Visas

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Residence

The Residence Act is the primary legal framework for immigration in Germany. It sets out the conditions under which non-German citizens can enter and reside in the country. The act distinguishes between different types of visas, such as short-term and long-term visas, and regulates the rights and obligations of foreign residents, including their access to social benefits. There are two types of Residence permits in Germany. The one is an Aufenthaltserlaubnis/Temporary Residence and the other is a Niederlassungserlaubnis/permanent residence.

Legal Basis

  • The German AufenthG (Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet ) can be found on the website of the Bundesministerium der Justiz
  • There is also an English version of the Act on Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory
Temp Aufenthalt

Residence in Germany

A Visa allows you to enter Germany, and stay for no more than 90 days in a 180-day cycle.When you want to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for the correct visa in your home country and once you are in Germany, apply for the subsequent residence permit (Aufenhaltstitel) at the competent Aliens Authority in Germany. There are two types of residence permits in Germany: Temporary  – Your first type of residence in Germany will always be temporary. You can only apply for permanent residence once certain conditions are met.   Permanent –  may be granted in the form of a Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or Permanent EC

Citizenship

Foreigners who wish to become German citizens must meet certain requirements, including a minimum period of residence in Germany, fluency in the German language, and knowledge of German culture and history. Applicants must also renounce their current citizenship, unless they are from an EU country or Switzerland. The naturalization process can take several years, and applicants must pass a citizenship test and demonstrate good conduct.

Overall, the immigration process in Germany can be complex and time-consuming. However, with careful planning and preparation, foreigners can successfully navigate the process and enjoy all that Germany has to offer.

Ways of obtaining German citizenship

Please note: Although the information on this website has been prepared with the utmost care, we cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein. Always refer to the official websites for up-to-date information.  Retention of South African citizenship The basic rule is that an adult South African citizen who intends to apply for foreign citizenship, but who does not want to lose his/ her South African citizenship, must first apply for the retention of South African citizenship, which must be done and approved before acquisition of the other citizenship. Applications can be made via the South African Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate in Munich. You can also apply directly

Resources and Support Services

Germany offers various governmental assistance programs to immigrants to help them integrate into society. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) provides language courses, vocational training, and job placement services to immigrants. The courses are offered in various languages, including German, English, and French. The BAMF also offers counselling services to immigrants on various topics, such as housing, education, and healthcare.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) also provides assistance to immigrants. The BMAS offers job placement services, vocational training, and financial assistance to immigrants who are unemployed or underemployed. The ministry also provides information on social benefits and pensions.

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The following was shared with us by a fellow South African

Whew… our visa has been approved. I am so happy and excited to finally share our experience here as I finally feel like I can breathe again. This is a pretty in-depth, comprehensive guide but this is all entirely true and accurate and non-embellished or based on hearsay. Note that my wife was able to stay here in SA during this process and didn’t have to be in Germany with a registered address etc.
 
My wife (30, German & South African Dual Citizen) and I (32, South African Passport Holder) decided to emigrate to Germany last year in November after spending several weeks there travelling and visiting her family. I work in the restaurant industry at an executive franchise level and my wife is a sales & development representative for a Crossfit Gym Booking software company based in Cape Town, but busy expanding into the DACH (Deutschland, Austria & Switzerland) Market. The best option for us was going to be to apply for a Family Reunification Visa.
 
After returning from Germany last December, we began the process of collecting documents and analysing time frames in order to emigrate between the end of July 2023 and December 2023. We tried our best to collate waiting times so we didn’t have to wait for big chunks for just one document. Oh how wrong we were!
 
I did my research on this group and on the https://www.southafricansingermany.de/ website, as well as on the German Consulate website https://southafrica.diplo.de/sa-en, as well as receiving advice from friends in this group and ‘South Africans in Berlin’. Surprisingly, the German consulate in Cape Town was incredibly helpful. They are willing to help via email and usually reply pretty fast with even small queries – I had a visa overstay of 4 days while in Germany last year (a complete mistake) and they were helpful in helping me find out information about it. If you have the same issue… you will only know if its going to be an issue when you apply for your visa. Fortunately, I received communication after a YEAR from the Berlin police that all charges had been dropped – my nerves!)
 
First on the agenda was the A1 German Language course through the Goethe Institute in Gardens, Cape Town. I learnt a few lessons here.
 
1. Book first, then start preparing. Don’t wait until you’re proficient and/or ready for the exam to book. Book a date in the future and then work towards it. Secondly, the intensive course where you go in every day may be quick but it’s incredibly inconvenient if you’re working. I bought an online A1 Preparation course through https://www.germanteacherluzi.com/ and I found this to be incredibly helpful. The workbook is thorough and while it may be a mission to get through, it gives you a really good foundation.
 
2. The Goethe Institute recommends you prepare using their practice tests on their website (https://www.goethe.de/ins/de/en/prf/prf/gzsd1/ueb.html). Do not ignore this instruction – the exam itself is basically a rearrangement of their practice papers. Put simply, if you are able to complete their practice tests fairly well, you will do fine. The test is broken up into 4 parts – hearing, reading, writing and speaking. The 3 written parts (hearing, reading and writing) are conducted in an examination room, while the speaking part is done in groups in a classroom with the examiners where they hold several easy conversations. Decent pronunciation helps as it makes it sound like you’re more proficient than perhaps you are (saying Ich properly instead of ‘Ish’ helped)
 
Then came the rest of the documents. One thing that was important and could’ve eased a lot of stress – the only documents we needed were the ones listed in the application. I saw all sorts of stories about police clearance certificates, and tax clearance certificates, and panicked that these would take time. In the end, we only needed the documents listed in their form: https://southafrica.diplo.de/…/visad-req-fam-reuni…
A note here – have 2 manila folders with your documents in them – they should be exactly alike and have all documents in order, i.e. 2x application ‘packs’. When you arrive for the appointment you think they’re going to be slow and methodical. Nope. They open the folder and just start blazing through the documents. If you’re not concentrating it’ll be over before you know it, so it helps to have everything organised ahead of time instead of scrambling for a passport copy.
 
  1. Application Form – easy enough – helps to have your German spouse next to you when you do it with all passport numbers and details available.
  2. Passport – your passport – check it’s valid – sometimes we forget
  3. Photo – include a couple in each pack – we had 2 per pack
  4. Marriage certificate – this is important. This marriage certificate needs to be unabridged AND apostilled. I would recommend (STRONGLY) using Sintiche from SP Document Trade (info@sp-documents.co.za/https://www.sp-documents.co.za/) for this process. Her turnover times were phenomenally fast, and we would’ve been in Germany months ago if we had gone this route first (we used someone else to get our unabridged marriage certificate which took 8 weeks, then another 9 weeks for the Apostille only to find out DIRCO had lost our documents, which is when I discovered SP document trade and she achieved the entire process in just over a week).
  5. Copy of Spouse’s
  6. Proof of Health Insurance – technically they only need this when the visa is APPROVED. The process is usually, you hand in your documents and your visa is sent off to the relevant Ausländerbehörde in Germany. If your visa is approved, they contact you and ask for your flight details and proof of health insurance while in Germany, you send those things, and they issue your visa ready for collection at the consulate. In our case, I was over-organised and got the proof of health insurance when we applied on the 31st of October 2023. The lady handling the application seemed happy I had it and when they approved the visa they only asked for flight information, meaning the health insurance was considered during the application. This is as simple as going to the Discovery website and navigating to the travel insurance page https://www.discovery.co.za/…/travelling-internationally and requesting a certificate. Do this a few days before your appointment so the dates are suitable, and print it out ready for your appointment.
  7. Proof of German Knowledge A1 level – see above.
  8. Copies of the checklist
 
That was IT. The rest of the document was only applicable if my partner was neither a German nor an EU citizen, and she is, so not necessary.
 
There was, however, a sneaky trick to the tale… regardless of saying all we needed was what the application form said (which is true, in essence) I read somewhere on this page that if you have a reference letter from a person in Germany to say that you’ll be staying with them and that they’ll be supporting you (even if you are only staying with them for a short time when you arrive), your application will (and this is very important) be sent to the Ausländerbehörde nearest their address.
 
We had my wife’s Godmother in Langelsheim, Goslar write a reference letter (including her ID number, her address and intention of support and accommodation) and include 2 copies of her ID. The woman handling our application was happy when she saw this and took the letter gladly as part of the application.
 
This is important – if you do NOT have a reference letter, your application will be sent to the main Ausländerbehörde in Berlin and your processing time can be anywhere from a couple of weeks to 3 months (I have seen people on here that got approved the day before 3 months was up, and, even worse if you look at the southafricansingermany.de website, some people waited longer due to complications). I firmly believe that because our application was sent to Goslar Landkreis (the local Ausländerbehörde), the application was extremely speedy. In my mind, the guy who handled our application in Germany (ironically named Tom) was sitting at his desk when our paperwork came in and exclaimed “An application! A chance to use my new stamp!” and quickly processed it, compared to the mountains of applications going into Berlin. If you do not have a chance to get a reference letter, your application will perhaps take longer (although I have seen cases take only a few weeks, but the best is to budget for the full 3 months, as horrible as it may seem).
 
I also read on here that following up after 2 weeks from the Ausländerbehörde that your application went to is a good idea, so I waited with bated breath, and when we did correspond they sent us an email insisting we desist from following up again (so German). Regardless, somehow our mail got through the filter and they replied a couple of days later (Monday, November 20th) saying that they had sent communication regarding the status of our application to the German Consulate in Cape Town. We then sent them an email on Tuesday the 21st, and by Wednesday the 22nd they had replied saying the visa had been approved and we should send flight booking confirmation (if you didn’t have health insurance proof at your appointment I presume they would ask for this too). They didn’t say we had to leave within a certain time frame but we booked for about 3 weeks after the approval date (22nd November – 10th December).
 
After all that – tickets are booked, bags are being packed, Facebook Marketplace is being used, the car is being sold and smiles are on faces as we’re waiting for next Sunday (December 10th) to come when we’ll board a plane to start our new life! A wise recommendation, if you do manage to get a reference letter, stay with that person for a week or two in order to get an Anmeldung, a bank account, a tax ID, a SCHUFA and a bit of a breather before heading into the apartment/house hunt.

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