Germany Opportunity Card Points: How to Build a Six-Point Evidence File

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The six-point system is one route to Germany's Opportunity Card, rather than a replacement for its basic qualification, language and financial requirements. First establish whether you need the points route at all. A skilled worker with the appropriate German or fully recognised qualification may use a different basis without collecting points.

Resolve the qualification question first

For the points route, the foreign academic or vocational qualification must meet the relevant recognition requirements in the country of acquisition. A non-academic vocational qualification normally requires at least two years of training. The evidence differs between an academic degree and vocational training, so begin with the actual credential rather than a translated job title.

For an overseas university degree, check the relevant positive university and degree information in anabin or the applicable Statement of Comparability. The official guidance describes a separate ZAB document for vocational qualifications. Neither a university ranking nor a consultant's initial opinion establishes that the appropriate formal evidence already exists.

Partial recognition is also different from full recognition. A formal partial-equivalence finding may support four points under the relevant rules. Do not award those points because you expect a recognition application to succeed or because someone with a similar qualification obtained a particular result.

Calculate relevant experience, not total career length

The official points guidance distinguishes two years of relevant professional experience within the last five years from five years within the last seven. The experience must relate to the formal qualification and have been gained after graduation. A CV headed with a large total number of years does not resolve those tests.

Create a timeline with the award date, employment dates, duties and available evidence. Employment certificates and references should explain what you did, while the CV should agree with the underlying records. Avoid double-counting overlapping periods or assuming every role in the same broad industry is equally relevant.

Distinguish basic language from extra points

For the points route, the basic language condition is at least A1 German or B2 English. Higher German levels can support additional points: A2, B1 and B2 or above have different scores. Do not add all the German levels together for one person. The official guidance also provides an additional English-language point under its specified conditions.

Use accepted evidence and check the responsible mission's current requirements. Ordinary workplace English, an old school report or being taught in English should not automatically be treated as a substitute for the required proof. The official questions and answers explain language certificates and advise checking individual evidence with the mission.

Treat age, residence and partner claims separately

Check age against the actual application date, particularly near a birthday boundary. For previous residence, the relevant criterion is a qualifying continuous lawful stay in Germany, not the sum of several holidays. Prepare the old passport, visa and residence records that support the period and purpose claimed.

A partner-related point is not awarded merely because the applicant is married. The partner's own Opportunity Card eligibility and the plan to come together matter. If this point is needed to reach six, examine the partner's supporting file before treating the total as secure.

Keep a defensible score and a practical next step

For each claim, record the possible score, the evidence already held and anything unresolved. Keep an evidence-supported total separate from an optimistic future total. After the points review, assess funding, insurance, regulated-profession requirements and the real job search. A positive self-check is useful preparation; it is not a visa decision or a promise of employment.