The opportunity card offers a 12-month residence permit, enhancing job search opportunities with German employers and enhancing contact with qualified employment opportunities.
Germany has opened its doors to skilled Indian workers to pursue their career dreams in the country. Germany plans to increase annual visas for skilled Indian workers to 90,000, up from 20,000, while nearly 250,000 Indians currently reside in the country.
To gain employment in Germany, individuals must obtain a residence permit as a visa, which may include a work permit if necessary. However, before submitting your visa application, skilled workers need to check whether their foreign professional qualification is recognized in Germany.
Citizens of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit for work purposes after entering Germany without a visa.
However, in cases where employment is intended to begin directly after arrival in Germany, a visa (which includes the work permit) has to be issued in advance since it is not possible to start working in Germany before having the obligatory work permit.
For the Indian skilled workers, the German Opportunity Card could be the game-changer.
The Opportunity Card, introduced by the German government, offers non-EU applicants a 12-month stay in Germany, addressing the challenges of complex entry procedures.
Earlier, applicants had to show a permanent employment contract or be considered a recognised skilled worker in order to work in Germany. But, now with the German Opportunity Card, skilled workers find it much easier to live and work in Germany.
Skilled workers can apply for the Opportunity Card either at the Foreigners’ Registration Office or at the competent German mission abroad in your country of origin (for example at the German Embassy).
To obtain the Opportunity Card in Germany, applicants must have completed two years of vocational training or a university degree, and be fluent in English or German. They must also meet a points system, with a minimum of six points required for work eligibility.
The opportunity card improves your chances of making contact with German employers and finding qualified employment in Germany. It allows a 12-month residence permit, with a focus on job search. Successful job searches can lead to the option to change residence titles. To extend the stay, applicants must apply to the local Foreigners’ Registration Office and provide the necessary documentation.