Do you qualify?
The Chancenkarte lets you move to Germany without a job offer and search for Java development roles for up to 12 months. You need a qualifying degree (ISCED 6 or higher) and — if not fully recognised — at least 6 points.
A 4-year BSc CS from a recognised Ghanaian university meets the base requirement. HNDs from Technical Universities (below ISCED 6) do not.
Which route applies to you?
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| 4-year BSc CS from H+ institution, programme listed | Route 1: no points needed |
| 4-year BSc, programme not individually listed | Route 2: 6 points required |
| HND | Not eligible |
Route 2: points table
| Criterion | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partial equivalence (ZAB decision) | 4 | |
| Shortage occupation (Java development, ISCO-08 group 25) | 1 | |
| At least 2 years qualifying experience in last 5 years | 2 | |
| At least 5 years qualifying experience in last 7 years | 3 | |
| German A2 / B1 / B2+ | 1 / 2 / 3 | |
| English at B2 or higher (certificate required) | 1 | WAEC English not accepted — IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge required |
| Age under 35 | 2 | |
| Age 35–39 | 1 | |
| Prior lawful German residence ≥ 6 months in last 5 years | 1 | |
| Spouse applies jointly | 1 |
Worked example: Esi Asante, 27, Java developer, BSc CS KNUST (programme not listed), 3 years Spring Boot backend experience, TOEFL 88 (B2), no German: 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) + 2 (under 35) + 1 (English B2) = 6 points ✓
Financial requirement: the Sperrkonto
€13,092 in a blocked Sperrkonto before your appointment. Open at least 4 weeks early (Fintiba, Coracle, Expatrio).
What you can do on the Opportunity Card
- Part-time work: up to 20 hours per week on average
- Trial employment: up to 2 weeks per employer
- Freelancing: not permitted
Document checklist
- Passport (at least 2 empty pages)
- Degree certificate with MFARI apostille
- Academic transcript with MFARI apostille
- anabin printout or ZAB Statement of Comparability
- Language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge or Goethe-Institut/telc/ÖSD)
- Experience letters (Java version, Spring Boot, ORM, REST/GraphQL, CI/CD, database design, production scope, seniority) and payslips
- Sperrkonto certificate (€13,092)
- Travel health insurance
Common mistakes
WAEC English used as the language certificate. Not accepted. IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or Cambridge B2/C1 is required.
HND submitted as the base qualification. Below ISCED 6 — not eligible.
Opening the Sperrkonto too late. Providers take 1–2 weeks. Budget 4 weeks minimum before your appointment.
Sources
- § 20a AufenthG, Bundesministerium der Justiz
- Opportunity Card: Make it in Germany
- anabin database, KMK / ZAB
Not legal advice. Verify requirements with the German Embassy Accra before applying.
See also
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