THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
In June 2024, Germany introduced the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), a new visa category aimed at attracting skilled workers from non-EU countries. Since its launch, approximately 2,500 Opportunity Cards have been issued, with Indian nationals receiving the most, 780, followed by applicants from China, Turkey and Pakistan, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
To qualify for an Opportunity Card, applicants must meet several criteria, including relevant qualifications, language skills, professional experience, ties to Germany and age. Applicants accumulate points for these factors, with additional points awarded for further achievements. Those with at least six points are eligible for the card, granting a one-year stay in Germany to seek employment, provided they can financially support themselves. Opportunity Card holders may also work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, during their job search.
Despite the card’s popularity, Green Party member Misbah Khan argues that even more applicants would apply if the visa process were simplified, citing excessive regulations as a barrier to effective migration policy. Germany currently has an estimated 2 million unfilled job vacancies, with sectors like IT and technology, healthcare and logistics facing the most severe shortages and experts say the country needs an estimated 400,000 new workers annually. A recent study has suggested streamlining the immigration process to attract skilled labour, potentially reducing processing times by 40%, though this would limit immigration authorities’ discretion.
Here’s what should know about the Opportunity Card:
- It enables job seekers to come to Germany to look for employment. The conditions are that applicants’ foreign qualifications are fully recognised and they are therefore considered as “skilled workers” under the relevant provisions of the German Labour Law. Applicants must possess a foreign university degree, a vocational qualification of at least two years’ duration and a basic knowledge of German (level A1) or English (level B2)
- Grant of the opportunity card is based on a points system. Points are awarded for criteria such as recognition of qualifications in Germany, language skills, professional experience, age, links to Germany and the potential of the accompanying spouses. Applicants must score a minimum of six points to receive an Opportunity Card.
- Opportunity Cards are issued for a maximum of one year, provided that the holder is able to support themselves for that period. It allows the holder to do work trials or take up part-time employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their stay in Germany.
Femi Awoniyi
