Planning to relocate to Germany without a job offer yet? This 2026 guide explains the full Germany Opportunity Card requirements for Nigerians – eligibility, points system, blocked account amount, documents, and step-by-step application through the German Embassy in Nigeria, with official links.

Germany Opportunity Card Requirements for Nigerians

If you’re in Nigeria, tired of “story” from employers and visa rejections, and you’ve been hearing about this Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)… this guide is for you.

Think of the Opportunity Card as Germany’s “Japa” route for skilled people who don’t yet have a job offer but want to go there legally, search for work on ground, and then upgrade to a proper work visa.

In this post, I’ll break down Germany Opportunity Card requirements for Nigerians, the points system, blocked account amount, required documents, and how to apply from Nigeria (Abuja/Lagos) step by step – with official links, so you won’t be guessing.

What is the Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)?

The Germany Opportunity Card is a new residence permit introduced under Section 20a of the German Residence Act. It allows non-EU citizens (including Nigerians) to move to Germany for up to 1 year to:

Look for a qualified job
Work up to 20 hours per week in part-time jobs
Do short trial jobs (up to 2 weeks per employer) while job searching

You don’t need a job offer before leaving Nigeria. Instead, you must:

Meet some basic requirements, and
Either be a fully recognized skilled worker or
Qualify via a points system (minimum 6 points).

The card was launched in June 2024, and by mid-2025 over 10,000 Opportunity Card visas had already been issued to applicants from various non-EU countries – showing Germany is serious about attracting skilled foreigners.

Is the Germany Opportunity Card Available for Nigerians?

Yes. Nigerians are explicitly eligible as “third-country nationals” (non-EU/EEA/Swiss).

Even better, the German Missions in Nigeria (Abuja & Lagos) have a dedicated page for “Visa for the Opportunity Card”, with a detailed document checklist and Nigeria-specific requirements:

Official page (German Missions in Nigeria):
https://nigeria.diplo.de/ng-en/2691130-2691130

So if you’re in Lagos, Abuja, PH, Benin, or anywhere else in Nigeria, you can apply directly through the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for Nigeria.

Core Germany Opportunity Card Requirements for Nigerians (2026)

Let’s simplify what you actually need.

1. You must be a non-EU citizen (Nigerian passport)

The Opportunity Card is only for people from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland – Nigerians qualify by default.

2. You must have a recognized qualification (degree or vocational training)

There are two main paths:

Option 1 – Fully recognized qualification (Skilled Worker Path)

You are considered a skilled worker if:

You have a German university degree or vocational qualification, or
You have a foreign university degree that is fully recognized as equivalent in Germany (checked via ANABIN), or
You have a tertiary qualification (e.g. HND) with at least 3 years of training that has been recognized by the German authority.

If your degree is fully recognized, you:

Can get the Opportunity Card without going through the points system, and
Don’t have to prove language skills (although German is highly recommended).

Useful links for recognition:

ANABIN database (check if your degree is recognized):
https://anabin.kmk.org
Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB – for Statements of Comparability):
https://www.kmk.org/zab
Recognition Portal:
https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de

Option 2 – Points system (if your qualification is not yet recognized)

If your Nigerian degree / HND / vocational training is recognized in Nigeria but not fully recognized in Germany, you can use the points system (minimum 6 points) – this is where most Nigerians will fall.

To even enter the points system, you must have:

At least 2 years of vocational training (recognized in the country where it was obtained) or a university degree
AND
Basic German (A1) or English at B2 level

3. Language requirement (German or English)

You must prove one of these minimum levels:

German A1 (basic) OR
English B2 (upper intermediate)

Accepted tests include well-known exams like Goethe-Institut for German, TOEFL, Cambridge, LanguageCert, etc., as long as they’re aligned with CEFR levels and recognized by ALTE.

From Nigeria, this usually means:

German: Taking Goethe-Institut A1/A2/B1 in Lagos or Abuja
English: Using IELTS/TOEFL/other B2-equivalent results where accepted

Pro tip (how I’d personally plan it):
If my English is already strong, I’d push for a B2-C1 English certificate and then add German A1 or A2. This combo gives extra points in the system and puts you ahead of many others.

4. Financial proof (Blocked account, sponsor, or part-time job)

Germany wants to see that you can survive for 1 year without asking them for money.

For 2025, the official blocked account amount is €1,091/month, which equals €13,092 for one year.

From the German Embassy Nigeria page, you can prove adequate financial means in three main ways:

Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
- Minimum €1,091 per month
- You open this with an approved provider before applying.
- You’ll submit an official confirmation that shows:
  - Total amount paid in
  - Monthly amount you can withdraw
Formal Obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung)
- A sponsor living in Germany goes to their local foreigners office and signs a financial guarantee for you.
- The document must explicitly show that their financial capacity is “nachgewiesen” (verified).
Part-time job contract (up to 20 hours/week)
- If you already have an employment contract for a part-time job in Germany paying at least €1,091 net per month, this can also count as proof.

Many Nigerians prefer the Blocked Account route, often using providers like Fintiba or similar services:
https://www.fintiba.com/opportunity-card-germany

The Germany Opportunity Card Points System (Explained Simply)

If you’re not a fully-recognised skilled worker (Option 1), you must score at least 6 points under Option 2.

Here’s how points are awarded:

Points Categories

Partial recognition of qualification / regulated profession – 4 points
- If your qualification has been evaluated as partially equivalent or you need compensatory measures to get a licence to practice (e.g. nurse, teacher, engineer).
Professional experience – 2 or 3 points
- 3 points: At least 5 years’ experience in last 7 years in your qualified field
- 2 points: At least 2 years’ experience in last 5 years in your field
Language skills – up to 4 points total
- German:
  - A2 = 1 point
  - B1 = 2 points
  - B2+ = 3 points
- English:
  - C1+ = +1 extra point (on top of German points)
Age – up to 2 points
- ≤ 35 years = 2 points
- 36–40 years = 1 point
Previous stay in Germany – 1 point
- At least 6 months legal stay in Germany (e.g. study, language course, internship – tourism doesn’t count).
Shortage occupation – 1 point
- Your qualification is in an official shortage occupation (e.g. nursing, IT, engineering, certain trades).
- Check the official list here:
  https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/jobs/professions
Spouse/partner also qualifies – 1 point
- If you apply together with your spouse and they also meet Opportunity Card requirements, you get a bonus point.

You only need 6 points, but many applicants easily go beyond that with age + experience + language + field.

Nigeria-Specific Document Checklist (What You Need to Gather)

From the German Missions in Nigeria Opportunity Card page, here’s a simplified document checklist (always cross-check the latest list on their website before applying):

Basic documents

Visa application via Consular Services Portal (online form)
Signed declaration form (available on the embassy site)
Visa fee: €75 (paid in NGN at embassy exchange rate or via POS)
1 biometric passport photo (white background, 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
Valid passport
- Issued within last 10 years
- Valid at least 6 more months
- At least 2 free pages

Civil status documents

Birth certificate (with specific rules depending on year of birth)
For some cases, affidavit of age declaration may be required
If applicable, residence permit for Nigeria (for non-Nigerian nationals applying in Nigeria)

Education & work

All school leaving certificates
- Primary certificate
- WAEC (BECE and WASSCE or NECO)
Proof of academic studies or vocational training
- Degree / HND with transcripts
- Vocational certificates (if any)
Proof of work experience (if applicable):
- Employment letters
- Work contracts
- Payslips
- Employer statements

Motivation & application supporting docs

Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full history of education & work
Letter of Motivation – explaining:
- Why you want to go to Germany
- Your job search plan
- How the stay will help your career
Proof of active job search / contacts in Germany
- Screenshots or emails of applications, job adverts, or recruitment agency contacts

Financial proof

Choose one:

Blocked account (minimum €1,091/month) – bank confirmation letter
Formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung) from sponsor in Germany
Part-time job contract (up to 20 hrs/week, net salary €1,091/month)

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Germany Opportunity Card from Nigeria

If I were applying from Nigeria, here’s exactly how I’d structure my process:

Step 1 – Check your eligibility with the official Self-Check

Start here:

Self-Check: Opportunity Card (Make it in Germany)
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/opportunity-card/self-check (Make It In Germany)

Select “Nigeria” as nationality and go through the questions. It gives you:

An idea of whether you are eligible
How many points you have approximately

Step 2 – Sort out your qualification recognition

Check your university / degree in ANABIN:
https://anabin.kmk.org
If it’s not “entspricht” or “gleichwertig”, consider:
- Applying for ZAB Statement of Comparability:
  https://www.kmk.org/zab

If you get full recognition, you may go via Option 1 (skilled worker) and skip the points system.

Step 3 – Get your language certificate

If your English is strong, aim for B2–C1 English (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge).
Add German A1–A2 from the Goethe-Institut (Abuja/Lagos).

The Opportunity Card minimum is German A1 or English B2, but extra language levels give you more points.

Step 4 – Arrange your financial proof

Choose one:

Blocked account with at least €13,092 for 12 months at €1,091/month (2025 rate).
Sponsor in Germany (Verpflichtungserklärung)
Part-time job contract in Germany (up to 20 hrs/week, net €1,091/month)

Most Nigerian applicants will go with the blocked account.

Step 5 – Prepare all required documents

Use the official German Missions Nigeria checklist as your base:
https://nigeria.diplo.de/ng-en/2691130-2691130

Scan and save everything clearly: passport, WAEC, degree, transcripts, work letters, CV, language certificates, blocked account confirmation, etc.

Step 6 – Apply online via the Consular Services Portal

Germany has made this part easier:

Consular Services Portal – Opportunity Card Application
https://digital.diplo.de/chancenkarte (Settle in Berlin)

There you will:

Create an account
Fill in the Opportunity Card visa application form
Upload your documents

After they pre-check your documents, you’ll receive a link to book your physical appointment at the embassy/consulate in Nigeria.

Step 7 – Attend your visa appointment in Abuja/Lagos

At the appointment, they will:

Verify your identity
Check original documents
Take fingerprints & photo
Ask a few questions (short interview)
Collect your visa fee (€75 in NGN)

After that, it’s just processing time. (Embassy generally says they won’t answer status questions within the first 4 weeks.)

What Happens After You Arrive in Germany with the Opportunity Card?

Once your visa is approved and you land in Germany, here’s what the law allows and expects:

Validity: Up to 12 months for job search
You can:
- Work up to 20 hours/week in part-time jobs
- Do trial jobs up to 2 weeks per employer
- Search actively for jobs in your field
If you find a job that meets the requirements, you can:
- Convert your status to a work residence permit (e.g. skilled worker visa, EU Blue Card, etc.)
- In some cases, extend the Opportunity Card up to 2 more years if you qualify.

Family:
You can’t automatically bring your family on the Opportunity Card. Family reunification usually becomes possible after you convert to a longer-term work residence permit, or if your spouse also qualifies and applies for their own Opportunity Card.

Practical Tips for Nigerians Planning to Use the Opportunity Card

Let me talk to you like I’m planning this for myself:

Be realistic about your profile.
Use the Self-Check honestly. If you’re under 35, have 2–5+ years of experience, and at least English B2, you’re already in a strong position.
Sort your WAEC and degree documents now.
Nigerians often get delay because of missing transcripts, inconsistent names, or messed up birth certificates. Fix all of that early.
Don’t sleep on German language.
Even A1–B1 German makes your job search much easier once you arrive. Many employers will favour you over someone who speaks zero German.
Avoid fake “shortcuts” and agents promising magic.
Every genuine path goes through some combination of:
- Make it in Germany official site: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com (Make It In Germany)
- German Missions Nigeria site: https://nigeria.diplo.de/ng-en/2691130-2691130
Plan your blocked account based on the real figure.
Use €13,092 as your baseline for one year (2025), not random figures from hearsay.
Think long-term.
The Opportunity Card is not the final destination – it’s your landing runway. The goal is to:
- Land in Germany
- Network & job hunt seriously
- Secure qualified employment
- Convert to a long-term residence/work permit

FAQs

1. What is the minimum score needed for the Opportunity Card?

You need at least 6 points in the points system if you are not already a fully recognized skilled worker.

2. Do I need IELTS specifically?

No specific exam like IELTS is mandated by name, but you must prove English at B2 level or higher via tests recognized under CEFR and/or ALTE (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, LanguageCert).

3. How much do I need in a blocked account as a Nigerian?

For 2025, the assumed annual requirement is €13,092 (i.e. €1,091/month). This is the figure used for blocked accounts.

4. Can I bring my spouse and children from day one?

Not automatically.

Your spouse can apply for their own Opportunity Card if they qualify.
Otherwise, family reunification usually happens later, after you switch to a long-term work residence permit.

5. How long can I stay in Germany with the Opportunity Card?

The Opportunity Card is typically valid for 12 months. Under certain conditions – especially if you’ve found work that meets certain criteria – it can be extended up to 2 years.

6. Where should I start if I’m serious about this as a Nigerian?

If I were in your shoes right now, my personal roadmap would be:

Do the Self-Check:
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/opportunity-card/self-check
Confirm my degree status on ANABIN
Secure English B2/C1 + German A1/A2
Start saving towards €13,092 blocked account
Prepare documents exactly as listed on the German Missions Nigeria site
Apply via digital.diplo.de/chancenkarte and then attend my appointment.