Knowledge of German or English is required to qualify for the opportunity card
Germany has made significant changes to the rules for obtaining visas for skilled workers in response to the growing demand for experienced professionals in such critical sectors as engineering, information technology (IT) and healthcare. According to reports, the country, which needs about 400,000 skilled workers to fill vacancies in specialized fields, has introduced a new initiative called the Opportunity Map. The new visa system came into force on June 1, 2024. Known as the Opportunity Map program, it allows citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU) to move to Germany for a year to explore employment opportunities. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to address the shortage of skilled labor in engineering, IT and healthcare. To qualify for the Opportunity Card, applicants must have completed at least two years of professional training or have an appropriate university degree in their country. Knowledge of German or English is required. In addition, candidates must provide sufficient financial resources, including part-time income, to support themselves in Germany for a year, totaling more than 12,000 euros. If the reports are published, the initial validity period of the residence permit will be extended to 24 months for first-time applicants, compared with the previous 18 months provided for the completion of adaptation measures. In addition, this permit can be extended for another 12 months, resulting in a maximum stay of three years. In addition, the allowance for additional employment during the qualification process was increased from 10 to 20 hours per week, which facilitated the access of willing skilled workers to the labor market. Germany has also moved to simplify the process of recognizing foreign qualifications in accordance with the new Law on Qualified Immigration by introducing two new ways. Persons whose qualifications require a skills analysis to establish equivalence can obtain a residence permit for up to six months to complete this assessment. Applicants entering this pathway must demonstrate knowledge of German at A2 level or higher (CEFR). In an effort to simplify the immigration process for family members accompanying skilled workers, Germany has also abolished the requirement for spouses or minor children to provide proof of sufficient living space when moving to join certain qualified professionals in the country. The aim of this adjustment is to facilitate the transition of skilled workers with families to Germany.
