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Who qualifies

Opportunity Card shortage occupation point: is my job on the list?

By VisaRoom EditorialChecked 3 November 2026For applicants in Lagos and Accra

Short answer

Lagos and Accra both give 1 point on the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) points route for a shortage occupation. The German Missions in Nigeria (Lagos) say "professional qualification in a so-called shortage occupation". The German Embassy Accra says "vocational training/university degree in an area of official labour shortage in Germany". Make it in Germany's shortage list uses ISCO-08 job codes. Lagos asks for a short explanation of your shortage occupation qualification as proof. 124

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On this page
  1. Short answer
  2. What do Lagos, Accra and the law say gets the point?
  3. Which jobs are on the shortage occupation list?
  4. Which copy of the list should you check?
  5. What proof does Lagos want for this point?
  6. People also ask
  7. Related questions
  8. Sources

What do Lagos, Accra and the law say gets the point?

Lagos, Accra and the Residence Act each word this point differently. Here they are as written:

  • German Missions in Nigeria (Lagos): "Professional qualification in a so-called shortage occupation", 1 point.
  • German Embassy Accra: "Vocational training/university degree in an area of official labour shortage in Germany", 1 point.
  • The law, § 20b(1) no. 8 of the Residence Act (AufenthG): points are given when the qualification belongs to one of the occupation groups named in § 18g(1) sentence 2 no. 1.

Sources for this part123

Which jobs are on the shortage occupation list?

Make it in Germany publishes a PDF called "List of shortage occupations according to Section 18g (1) (2) (1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)". It says knowing the shortage occupations matters for the EU Blue Card and for the Opportunity Card points system.

The list uses ISCO-08 codes (International Standard Classification of Occupations). Groups it names include (our headings, not the list's):

  • Health: 221 Medical doctors, 222 Nursing and midwifery professionals, 225 Veterinarians, and 226 Other health professionals (for example 2261 Dentists and 2262 Pharmacists).
  • Teaching: 23 Teaching professionals, including 231 University and higher education teachers, 232 Vocational education teachers, 233 Secondary education teachers, and 234 Primary school and early childhood teachers.
  • Science and engineering: 21 Science and engineering professionals, including 214 Engineering professionals (excluding electrotechnology), 215 Electrotechnology engineers, and 216 Architects, planners, surveyors and designers.
  • ICT: 133 Information and communications technology service managers, and 25 Information and communications technology professionals (251 Software and applications developers and analysts, 252 Database and network professionals).
  • Managers: 132 Manufacturing, mining, construction, and distribution managers, and 134 Professional services managers (for example 1341 Childcare services managers and 1342 Health services managers).

Sources for this part4

Which copy of the list should you check?

The copy of the Make it in Germany list we read on 2 November 2026 shows no publication or "as of" date in its text. Its file name begins with "2024".

The Lagos page links to a "list with shortage occupations". Check the list linked from the page of the mission you apply to.

Lagos, Accra and the law don't use the same words for this point. If you're not sure your qualification counts, ask the mission you apply to before you count it.

Sources for this part41

What proof does Lagos want for this point?

In its list of proof for claimed points, the Lagos page asks for a "Short explanation of shortage occupation qualification". The page we read gives no template or length.

The Accra page we read does not say what proof it wants for this point.

The applicant reports we hold don't describe this document, so ask the consulate what it should contain. Applicants do report a short written test on their field at the Lagos interview, so be ready to explain your qualification in person too.

Sources for this part125

Reading the answer is the easy part. Say it out loud.

The officer will ask about this. Answer in your own words, then read what your answer missed. Your first practice interview is free.

Practise saying it out loud

People also ask

Where can I find the list of shortage occupations for the Opportunity Card?

Make it in Germany publishes it as a PDF titled "List of shortage occupations according to Section 18g (1) (2) (1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG)" (linked in the sources below). The Lagos Opportunity Card page also links to a list of shortage occupations. 41

Does the shortage occupation point add to my other points?

Yes. It counts toward your total if you apply through the points route, which is for applicants whose qualification is not fully recognised. Lagos says that if you are "an unskilled worker, you must score at least 6 points" from its list. Accra asks a "not yet skilled worker" for "6 points according to the point system". The points route also needs German A1 or English B2, according to the Lagos and Accra pages. 12

How many points is a shortage occupation worth?

1 point, at both missions. The German Missions in Nigeria (Lagos) and the German Embassy Accra each list it at 1 point. 12

Are nurses and software developers on the shortage occupation list?

Make it in Germany's list names 222 Nursing and midwifery professionals and 251 Software and applications developers and analysts. If you're not sure your qualification counts, ask the mission you apply to before you count it. Being on the list earns 1 point; it doesn't settle recognition. A few applicants report refusals for doctors and nurses, and mention a deficit notice (Defizitbescheid) and German at about B1. See our nurses article. 45

Sources

  1. 1Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
  2. 2Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 2 Nov 2026
  3. 3§ 20b AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2 Nov 2026
  4. 4List of shortage occupations according to Section 18g (1) (2) (1) of the Residence Act (PDF)OfficialMake it in Germany (Federal Government portal) · checked 2 Nov 2026
  5. 5Applicant reports gathered by VisaRoomApplicant reportsApplicant reports gathered by VisaRoom · checked 3 Nov 2026

Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.

General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.