Do you qualify?
SAP consulting has two tracks with different points table implications. Read both before calculating your score.
Technical track (ABAP, BASIS, SAP BTP, Integration): ISCO-08 group 2511/2512 — shortage occupation. The shortage point (1 point) is available.
Functional track (FI, CO, MM, SD, HCM): ISCO-08 group 2421 — business analysis, not ICT. The shortage point is not available for the functional track.
For either track you need a qualifying degree (ISCED 6 or higher) and — if not fully recognised — 6 points.
Which route applies to you?
Technical track:
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| 4-year BSc CS from H+ institution, programme listed | Route 1: no points needed |
| 4-year BSc, programme not listed | Route 2: 6 points required |
| HND | Not eligible |
Functional track:
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| 4-year BBA / BSc Accounting from H+ institution, programme listed | Route 1: no points needed |
| Same degree, programme not listed | Route 2: 6 points required |
| GIMPA post-2004 degree | Route 1 or 2 — verify which anabin record applies |
| GIMPA pre-2004 diploma | ZAB assessment recommended |
| HND | Not eligible |
Route 2: points table
| Criterion | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partial equivalence (ZAB decision) | 4 | |
| Shortage occupation | 1 | Technical track only (ISCO 2511/2512). Functional track (ISCO 2421) does NOT earn this point |
| 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 |
Technical worked example: Kwesi Asamoah, 28, SAP ABAP developer, BSc CS KNUST (unlisted), 3 years ABAP experience, IELTS 7.0 (C1), no German: 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) + 2 (under 35) + 1 (English) = 6 points ✓
Functional worked example: Ama Boakye, 27, SAP FI/CO consultant, BBA UG Business School (programme not listed), 3 years FI/CO experience, IELTS 6.5 (B2), no German: 0 (not shortage — ISCO 2421) + 2 (experience) + 2 (under 35) + 1 (English B2) = 5 points ✗
Ama needs one more point. German A2 (1 point) brings her to 6. Or she waits until she has 5 years of experience (3 points instead of 2), giving her 6 total without German.
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
Technical track:
- Passport, BSc CS degree certificate with MFARI apostille, transcript with MFARI apostille, anabin printout or ZAB, language certificate, experience letters (ABAP version, modules, BTP, integration, seniority), payslips, Sperrkonto certificate, health insurance
Functional track:
- Same structure. BBA / BSc Accounting degree and transcript with MFARI apostille. Experience letters must describe FI/CO/MM/SD configuration decisions and client-facing implementation ownership.
Common mistakes
Functional SAP consultants counting the shortage occupation point. ISCO 2421 is not a shortage occupation. Start your functional track calculation without the shortage point — compensate with language, age, or 5-year experience tier.
WAEC English submitted as the language certificate. Not accepted. IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge at B2 is required.
GIMPA pre-2004 diploma used without ZAB assessment. Pre-2004 GIMPA was an institute, not a university. The anabin record for that period may differ from the post-2004 university records. A ZAB Zeugnisbewertung resolves the ambiguity.
HND submitted as the base qualification. Below ISCED 6 — not eligible for either track.
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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