Fully recognised degree: do I still need points or a language certificate for Germany's Opportunity Card?
Short answer
If your degree is fully recognised, you need no points and no language certificate for the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). German law says the card can be given to a skilled worker (Fachkraft). The German Missions in Nigeria and the German Embassy Accra put points and language proof only on the route for people who are not yet skilled workers. You still need proof of funds (at least EUR 1,091 for each month) and, on the Lagos checklist, a CV, motivation letter and proof of a recent job search. 6142
On this page
Do skilled workers need points for the Opportunity Card?
Section 20a(3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) says the card can be given to someone who is a skilled worker, or to someone with enough points under the points table.
The German Missions in Nigeria say people who can prove full equivalence of their foreign qualification count as skilled workers. They can get the card without any other special requirements if they show they can support themselves.
The German Embassy Accra sets it out in three parts. Everyone needs (A), the basic requirement of enough money. Then you are either (B) a skilled worker, or (C) a not yet skilled worker, who needs to have their qualification recognised, gain 6 points and show German or English skills.
Make it in Germany says the same: with a degree recognised as equivalent to a German one, you can apply as a skilled worker without scoring points.
Who counts as a skilled worker?
Section 18(3) of the Residence Act defines a skilled worker in two ways:
- Skilled worker with vocational training: you hold a qualified German vocational training, or a foreign vocational qualification that is equivalent to one.
- Skilled worker with academic training: you hold a German degree, a recognised foreign degree, or a foreign degree comparable to a German degree.
Sources for this part5
How do you show your degree is fully recognised?
The Accra embassy's part (B) says a skilled worker needs a vocational training or university degree recognised in Germany. It says you can prove this through ANABIN (a database that gives information on how foreign educational certificates are assessed). Both the university and your specific degree must be listed.
If your university or your specific degree is not listed, Accra says you must apply for recognition at the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
The German Missions in Nigeria ask for full recognition of your university degree or vocational qualification on this route. For skilled workers, item 6 of the Lagos checklist (status June 2026) asks for the degree with transcript and proof of recognition in Germany. If you hold a professional qualification instead, item 6 asks for it with proof of full recognition in Germany.
The Nigeria missions' ANABIN page says your degree is recognised when the university is rated "H+" and the degree is rated "entspricht" (corresponds) or "gleichwertig" (equivalent). It also counts when the university is "H+/-" and the degree is listed with it with one of those ratings. Otherwise you must complete a certificate evaluation procedure at ZAB.
Applicants report being asked for a ZAB statement when their exact degree title (for example B.Eng against BSc) wasn't listed under their university, and having about 30 days to add it. ZAB is reported to take months, so many apply early if their match isn't exact.
A university degree with a Statement of Comparability sits under the other route on the German Missions in Nigeria page, for qualifications not (fully) recognised in Germany. That route needs German A1 or English B2 and at least 6 points.
So the two missions differ here. Accra sends applicants whose degree is not listed in ANABIN to ZAB under the skilled-worker route. The German Missions in Nigeria list a degree with a Statement of Comparability under the points route.
What do skilled workers still need to submit?
Skipping points doesn't mean skipping documents. On the Lagos checklist, item 6 is the only item split into skilled worker and unskilled worker. The items after it are not split by route. They include:
- 7. CV
- 8. Letter of Motivation
- 9. Proof of recent job/vocational training place search in Germany
- 10. Blocked account OR Declaration of Commitment
What applicants report
In October 2026, applicants disagreed about which route they had been assessed on, and said refusal letters did not tell them. Applicants with a fully recognised degree said they were treated as skilled workers and were not asked for language or points.
Some applicants say skilled-worker applicants are not asked for a CV or motivation letter, while others were asked for them. The June 2026 Lagos checklist lists both, with no "if applicable" note. The checklist lists both for everyone, so prepare both.
Some applicants treat a ZAB Statement of Comparability as full recognition. The German Missions in Nigeria list a degree with a Statement of Comparability under the points route, which needs German A1 or English B2 and 6 points, so if you only have a ZAB statement, ask the Consulate General which route applies before you leave out a language certificate.
Lagos applicants describe an interview with a short written test on their degree field, and their reports don't describe this route as skipping it.
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Do I need IELTS or a German certificate on the skilled-worker route?
No. The law doesn't require a language certificate on this route. Section 20a of the Residence Act puts the German or English condition on the points route only. Lagos and Accra both list language proof only for people who are not yet skilled workers, and Make it in Germany says skilled workers don't need to prove German. 6247
Do I still need a blocked account if my degree is recognised?
You still need proof that you can support yourself. Both the Nigeria missions and the Accra embassy ask for at least EUR 1,091 for each month. A blocked account is one way to show it. Lagos also accepts a Declaration of Commitment, and Accra lists a formal obligation letter or a part-time job contract. 124
What if my degree is only partly recognised?
Then you apply on the points route, not as a skilled worker. Partial recognition gives you 4 points there, according to the Lagos and Accra points tables and Make it in Germany. That route also needs German A1 or English B2 and at least 6 points in total. 147
Sources
- 1Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 2Opportunity Card checklist, Lagos (status June 2026)OfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 3Degree recognition through the ANABIN databaseOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 4Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 5Section 18 Residence Act (AufenthG)OfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 6Section 20a Residence Act (AufenthG): ChancenkarteOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 7Questions and Answers Regarding the Opportunity CardOfficialMake it in Germany (Federal Government portal) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 8Applicant reportsApplicant reportsApplicant reports gathered by VisaRoom · checked 2 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.
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