The two routes
1. Full recognition: no points
If a German authority has fully recognised your qualification, you count as a skilled worker (Fachkraft). The points table does not apply to you, but you still need proof of funds and the other general requirements.
2. The points route
Without full recognition, you need all three basic requirements and enough points:
- A university degree, or a vocational qualification of at least two years, that is state-recognised in the country where you earned it. The exact wording is in § 20a of the Residence Act; your mission's checklist says which documents prove it.
- German at A1 or English at B2 (German A1 or English B2). Source: § 20a AufenthG · checked 6 Nov 2026
- At least 6 points.
The official points table
The table in the Residence Act lists language levels in words; § 2 of the Act defines them as CEFR levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1).
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial recognition of your qualification (compensation measures needed) | 4 |
| German B2 or higher | 3 |
| German B1 | 2 |
| German A2 | 1 |
| English C1 | 1 |
| 5 years' professional experience within the last 7 years | 3 |
| 2 years' professional experience within the last 5 years | 2 |
| Qualification in a listed (shortage) occupation group | 1 |
| Age 35 or younger | 2 |
| Age 36 to 40 | 1 |
| At least 6 months' lawful stay in Germany in the last 5 years | 1 |
| Spouse also eligible and applying | 1 |
| Minimum needed | 6 |
Source: Anlage zu § 20b AufenthG · checked 6 Nov 2026 Source: § 2 AufenthG · checked 6 Nov 2026
Engineering and IT fields fall into the occupation groups the law lists, so they usually earn the shortage-occupation point. Source: § 18g AufenthG · checked 6 Nov 2026
Proof of funds
You must show you can support yourself while you look for work, usually through a blocked account or a formal declaration of commitment by a sponsor (Verpflichtungserklärung). Several German missions state about €1,091 per month.
For applicants in Pakistan: on 6 November 2026 the German mission's Opportunity Card page for Pakistan still showed €1027 per month plus a return ticket, an older figure than other missions use. Follow the checklist of the mission that handles your application, and check it again just before you apply.
Source: German mission (Cairo) information sheet · checked 6 Nov 2026 Source: German missions in Pakistan · checked 6 Nov 2026
Applying from Pakistan
The German missions in Pakistan publish their own Opportunity Card page and checklist. On 6 November 2026 that page said applications to the Embassy in Islamabad go through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal. Start from the mission's page rather than from any agent's summary.
Common mistakes
- Paying an agent before checking anabin yourself.
- Counting points for German you cannot prove with a certificate.
- Copying a funds figure from a blog instead of the mission's checklist.
- Treating the card as a job offer. The hard part is finding the job, and for engineering roles that usually means German.
Questions
Do I need a job offer for the Opportunity Card?
No. The Opportunity Card is for looking for a job in Germany. You still need the basic requirements, enough points (unless your qualification is fully recognised) and proof of funds.
Can I apply with a DAE or another diploma?
A vocational qualification of at least two years can count, if it is officially recognised. Read the diploma section of our recognition guide first.
Is German required?
For the card itself you need German A1 or English B2. For actually getting an engineering job, German usually matters much more; German B1 and B2 also earn points.
Does anyone guarantee the card?
No. The German mission decides every application. Treat any promise of a guaranteed card as a warning sign.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change. Check the official source linked above; for your own case, the German mission decides.