How do I prove work experience for Opportunity Card points from Nigeria or Ghana?
Short answer
The German Missions in Nigeria and the German Embassy in Accra both give 3 points for 5 years of work experience in the last 7 years, or 2 points for 2 years in the last 5. Lagos asks that the experience relate to your qualification; Accra also mentions prior vocational training. You get one of these, not both. As proof, both missions list work contracts, employer statements and salary slips. 124
On this page
How many points does work experience give?
Work experience is one way to collect the 6 points you need if your qualification is not fully recognised in Germany. The two missions word the rows differently, and Accra adds a condition about prior vocational training.
The German Missions in Nigeria (Lagos list) give 3 points for "at least 5 years of professional experience in the last 7 years related to the professional qualification". They give 2 points for "at least 2 years of professional experience in the last 5 years related to the professional qualification".
The German Embassy in Accra gives 3 points for "5 years' work experience (within the last 7 years) in the skilled occupation and two years' prior vocational training in accordance with the regulations of the country of origin". It gives 2 points for "two years' work experience (within the last five years) with prior vocational training".
The two rows don't add up. Under section 20b of Germany's Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), you only get the points for 2 years in the last 5 if you get no points for 5 years in the last 7. On the Lagos and Accra points tables, that means the most work experience can give you is 3 points.
What proof does each mission ask for?
Lagos: under "Proof required for claimed points", the German Missions in Nigeria list work contracts, employer statements and salary slips for the two experience rows.
Accra: the German Embassy in Accra asks for proof of work experience, if it applies to you. Its examples are a work contract, a statement of employer and salary slips.
Make it in Germany describes the accepted proof in more detail:
- Employment certificates with detailed information on your tasks and fields of responsibility at each past employer.
- Reference letters from previous employers who can confirm your professional skills and experience.
- A CV that describes your career path in detail (more on that below).
- All documents in German or English, or translated into one of them.
How should my CV show my work experience?
Make it in Germany says the CV must describe your career path in detail. The duration and type of each job, and your exact occupation, must be clear from it.
Sources for this part3
What applicants report from Lagos
One applicant interviewed at Lagos in August 2026 shared their own summary of a refusal letter. It listed four reasons, one being that work experience was not shown, although they had held engineering roles and had submitted a CV. This is one case, and it is not clear which route they applied on.
Applicants at Lagos report being asked about their current job, what their employer does, and their education and NYSC dates. Make sure the dates in your CV, employer letters and answers match.
Sources for this part5
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Can I get both the 3 points and the 2 points for work experience?
No. Under section 20b of the Residence Act, you only get points for 2 years in the last 5 if you get no points for 5 years in the last 7. On the Lagos and Accra points tables, that means the most work experience can give you is 3 points. 124
Does work experience before my degree count for Opportunity Card points?
Under section 20b of the Residence Act, the experience that counts is experience gained after you obtained your vocational qualification or university degree. It must also be connected to that qualification. 4
Does my work experience have to match my qualification?
Lagos asks for experience "related to the professional qualification", and Accra says "in the skilled occupation". Under section 20b of the Residence Act, the experience must also be connected to your qualification. 124
Is an employer letter enough, or do I also need salary slips?
Lagos lists work contracts, employer statements and salary slips together, and Accra gives the same three as examples ("e.g."). Check the Lagos or Accra page, whichever applies to you, before you apply. Applicants report review officers asking for extra or corrected documents through the portal, so have whichever of these documents you hold ready. 125
Sources
- 1Opportunity CardOfficialGerman 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 (Federal Government portal) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 4§ 20b AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2 Nov 2026
- 5Opportunity Card applicant reports (2025 to 2026)Applicant 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.