Can someone in Germany sponsor my Opportunity Card instead of a blocked account?
Short answer
Yes. The German Missions in Nigeria and the German Embassy in Accra both accept a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) under sections 66 to 68 of the German Residence Act as one way to prove your funds. A person living in Germany signs it at the local competent office. It must cover your entire stay and carry the remark "nachgewiesen". 12
On this page
Do Lagos, Abuja and Accra accept a sponsor letter?
Yes. The German Missions in Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) say there are three possible ways to secure your financial means: a blocked account, a formal obligation, or a part-time job.
The German Embassy in Accra lists the same three forms on its Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) page.
Both pages describe the formal obligation in the same words. It follows sections 66 to 68 of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) and covers the entire duration of stay. A person living in Germany signs it at the local competent office in Germany.
Both pages also say it is only accepted as adequate proof of finance with the remark "nachgewiesen". That remark means the sponsor's financial capability has been verified. The Nigeria page asks for the original plus one copy.
Who can sign it, and where?
Make it in Germany says people residing in Germany who can provide evidence of having sufficient financial means are allowed to submit one. It describes the letter as relatives, friends or acquaintances in Germany committing to be financially responsible for you.
The sponsor applies in person at the competent foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany. Make it in Germany says an appointment must in general be made, and documents such as proof of income and a tenancy agreement must be shown.
On its German-language page (our translation), the Federal Foreign Office says the foreigners authority where the sponsor lives is, as a rule, responsible for accepting it. The forms are available there. At signing, the sponsor's creditworthiness (Bonität) is checked and the signature is certified.
Applicants at Lagos report that the letter should name the Opportunity Card as its purpose, and that the original must reach Lagos by courier. They say the sponsor's foreigners office asked for 3 to 6 months of payslips and a tenancy agreement, and that getting a letter took months in some places.
How old can the letter be?
All three official pages say six months, but each counts it differently, and the Nigeria page doesn't say from which date. Their exact wording:
Applicants at Lagos report letters expiring while they waited, and refusals over expired letters. With a waiting list that applicants report as 8 months or more, they advise renewing the letter if the wait is long, because letters usually last six months. The page does not say which date counts, so ask the consulate.
- German Missions in Nigeria: not older than six months. The page does not say from which date.
- German Embassy Accra: must not be older than 6 months on the intended date of entering the Schengen Area/Germany.
- Federal Foreign Office: there should in principle be no more than 6 months between giving the declaration and the visa being issued, because the sponsor's finances may have changed. After that a new declaration will usually be required (our translation).
Should I pay someone in Germany for a sponsor letter?
Several applicants warn against paying strangers in Germany for a sponsorship letter, including Nigerians living there. The price they describe is thousands of euros.
They say real letters come from someone with a genuine relationship who is willing to be liable. These are applicant reports from April 2025 to March 2026, not an official statement.
Applicants also warn about people who pretend to be other applicants, message people online and ask for money for "slots".
Sources for this part5
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Can a friend in Germany sign the letter for me?
Make it in Germany names relatives, friends or acquaintances in Germany as people who can commit to being financially responsible for you. The person must be residing in Germany and able to show sufficient financial means. 3
Do I need a new letter if I apply again?
At Accra, yes. The embassy says each new visa application needs a new formal obligation letter. 2
Can my sponsor apply for the letter by post or online?
Make it in Germany says the application for the letter must be submitted in person at the competent foreigners authority in Germany. The Nigeria and Accra pages say it is signed at the local competent office in Germany. The Nigeria page asks for the original plus one copy. 312
Sources
- 1Proof of financial meansOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 2Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Embassy Accra · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 3Questions and Answers Regarding the Opportunity CardOfficialMake it in Germany · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 4Informationen zur VerpflichtungserklärungOfficialAuswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 5Applicant 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.
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.