How do I apply for a ZAB Statement of Comparability from Nigeria or Ghana?

When do you need a ZAB statement for the Opportunity Card?

Make it in Germany says to check the anabin database first: both your degree and your university should have a positive rating there.

If anabin does not give you a positive result, Make it in Germany names a Statement of Comparability from ZAB as an alternative option. You apply online and pay for it yourself.

Applicants report that Lagos looks for your exact degree title listed under your university in anabin. They report being asked for a ZAB statement for B.Eng vs BSc, B.Tech vs BSc and HND-only listings. If your title is not an exact match, applicants advise starting ZAB.

The German Missions in Nigeria list a university degree with a Statement of Comparability under the route for qualifications not (fully) recognised in Germany, which is the points route. Applicants disagree on which route a ZAB statement puts them on, so ask the consulate if you are unsure.

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How to apply, step by step

These steps follow ZAB's application page and FAQ. The FAQ says you can create a BundID account whatever your nationality, using the "Username & Password" option.

1. 01Create a BundID account. ZAB says all you need is a valid email address.
2. 02Create your account on the ZAB website. It is linked to your BundID, and you can only log in to My Account with it.
3. 03Run the ZAB Pre-Check. It tells you if an evaluation of your degree is generally possible and gives you a checklist of documents.
4. 04Scan the documents and save them as PDF files.
5. 05Fill out the online form and upload the documents. You can save it and come back later.
6. 06Submit, then pay. The notification of fees arrives as a message in My Account straight after you submit.

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Which documents do you need, and do they need translation?

ZAB's FAQ says you generally do not need an apostille or certified copies. A simple scan is enough, though it points you to the Pre-Check because other requirements may apply in individual cases.

The statement is always based on documents in the original language or the country's official language. ZAB says a translation might be required in addition to the original, but it cannot replace the original. The Pre-Check and the online form tell you if you need one.

Have a BSc and an MSc? ZAB says you can apply for as many degrees as you like, and you get a separate Statement of Comparability for each one. The form asks if you want to add another degree.

Applicants report that some Nigerian universities only send official transcripts directly to institutions, so they uploaded a student copy. Follow your Pre-Check checklist.

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How much does ZAB cost, and how do you pay?

A Statement of Comparability costs EUR 208, and the regular payment deadline is 3 weeks.

You can pay with PayPal, by credit card (Mastercard or VISA), or by SEPA bank transfer. ZAB says a bank transfer is only possible from a bank account within the SEPA region.

The fee cannot be paid in instalments, but someone else can pay for you. For a SEPA transfer, ZAB says the reference must carry your full name and your application number.

If you cannot pay in 3 weeks, send ZAB a message in My Account. A one-time extension may be possible in some cases, but ZAB says it also extends the processing time.

You can cancel as long as the statement is not yet available for download. Depending on how far processing has gone, ZAB can charge up to 50 percent of the fee. ZAB also keeps up to 50 percent if it cannot issue a statement. Its examples: your university or programme was not recognised when you graduated, or you did not send the required documents.

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How long does ZAB take, and what do you receive?

ZAB's 3-month processing time starts once you have submitted all the required documents and it has received the fee in full. If ZAB needs more information or documents, it sends a message in My Account.

ZAB's FAQ says processing cannot be expedited if you have applied for an Opportunity Card or plan to. It also says ZAB is not the authority for the Opportunity Card. Questions about applying for the card go to your German mission abroad, or your local foreigners authority.

ZAB issues the statement as a PDF with an electronic signature and a Digital Seal. You, authorities, universities or employers can use these to check it is genuine. You can instead apply to receive only a hard copy. ZAB says a statement does not expire and is only issued in German.

You can download it from your account as many times as you like. A replacement costs EUR 104, and ZAB says you only need one if you lost the PDF and can no longer access your BundID account.

Applicants at Lagos report that when the consulate asks for a missing ZAB statement during review, it gives about 30 days, and that applications were closed when the statement did not arrive in time. They also report ZAB taking 3 to 4 months.

So applicants advise applying to ZAB early, alongside your Opportunity Card application. Applicants say ZAB's messages appear in My Account rather than by email, so check it regularly. These are applicant reports, not an official rule.

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People also ask

Related questions

• Who qualifiesCan I get the Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) with vocational training instead of a degree?
• Who qualifiesFully recognised degree: do I still need points or a language certificate for Germany's Opportunity Card?
• Who qualifiesChancenkarte points system: how many points do I need for the Opportunity Card?
• Steps and timelinesHow do I apply for the Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) from Ghana at the Accra embassy?

Sources

1. 1Application | Statement of ComparabilityOfficialZentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) · checked 2 Nov 2026
2. 2Fees | Statement of ComparabilityOfficialZentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) · checked 31 Oct 2026
3. 3FAQ – Statement of ComparabilityOfficialZentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) · checked 2 Nov 2026
4. 4Questions and Answers Regarding the Opportunity CardOfficialMake it in Germany (Federal Government portal) · checked 2 Nov 2026
5. 5Opportunity CardOfficialGerman Missions in Nigeria · checked 2 Nov 2026
6. 6Applicant 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.