Do you qualify?
The Chancenkarte lets you move to Germany without a job offer and search for software engineering roles for up to 12 months, then convert to an EU Blue Card or work permit once you have an offer.
Two routes exist. Route 1 applies if your degree is fully recognised in Germany: no points calculation needed. Route 2 applies if your degree is not fully recognised or if you want to apply without going through anabin first: you need at least 6 points from the points table.
To apply, you must hold at minimum one of the following:
- A foreign higher-education degree of at least 3 years (ISCED level 6 or higher)
- A state-recognised vocational qualification of at least 2 years
- An AHK Category A certificate
A 4-year BSc CS from a recognised Ghanaian university meets the degree requirement. An HND from a Technical University does not (it is classified below ISCED level 6).
Which route applies to you?
| Your situation | Route |
|---|---|
| 4-year BSc CS from an H+ university, programme listed as "entspricht" | Route 1: no points needed |
| 4-year BSc from H+ university, programme not individually listed | Route 2: 6 points required |
| HND from Technical University with 3+ years engineering experience | Route 2: IT exception — see below |
| No degree or qualification below ISCED level 6 (HND, Cert/Diploma) | Not eligible |
Check your institution at anabin.kmk.org. The same two-step check applies as for the Blue Card: the institution must be H+ and your specific programme must be listed as "entspricht" in the comments.
Route 2: calculating your points
| Criterion | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partial equivalence of your qualification with a German qualification | 4 | Requires a formal ZAB partial equivalence decision |
| Shortage occupation (software engineering qualifies) | 1 | ISCO-08 groups 133 and 25 |
| At least 2 years qualifying experience in last 5 years | 2 | Post-graduation, in your field |
| At least 5 years qualifying experience in last 7 years | 3 | Replaces 2-year tier (mutually exclusive) |
| German at A2 | 1 | |
| German at B1 | 2 | Replaces A2 (mutually exclusive) |
| German at B2 or higher | 3 | Replaces B1 (mutually exclusive) |
| English at B2 or higher (with certificate) | 1 | Certificate required |
| Age under 35 at date of application | 2 | |
| Age 35 to 39 at date of application | 1 | Replaces under-35 (mutually exclusive) |
| Prior lawful residence in Germany, at least 6 months in last 5 years | 1 | Tourist stays excluded |
| Spouse also qualifies and applies jointly | 1 |
Worked points examples for Ghanaian software engineers:
Profile A: 4-year BSc CS from KNUST (programme unlisted in anabin), 3 years post-graduation experience, age 26, IELTS 7.0 (C1): 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (English) = 6 points ✓
Profile B: 4-year BSc CS, 5 years experience, age 30, IELTS 6.5 (B2), German A2: 1 (shortage) + 3 (5-year exp) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (English B2) + 1 (German A2) = 8 points ✓
Profile C: HND from Technical University, 2 years experience, age 40, no German, no English certificate: 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) = 3 points. Does not qualify. A verifiable English language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) and German study close the gap fastest.
Financial requirement: the Sperrkonto
Before your visa appointment you must hold €13,092 (§ 20a(4) AufenthG) in a Sperrkonto, a blocked account that releases monthly instalments after you arrive. Providers include Fintiba, Coracle, and Expatrio. Open the account early: most providers take one to two weeks to process and confirm the deposit.
The figure German missions apply in 2025–2026 is €1,091/month (€13,092/year), derived from the BAföG framework. Verify the current amount with the German Embassy Accra before opening an account, as it is updated annually.
What you can do on the Opportunity Card
- Part-time employment: up to 20 hours per week on average
- Trial employment (Probebeschäftigung): up to 2 weeks per employer
- Freelancing: not permitted
- Job interviews and technical assessments: not regulated
Worked example: Abena's Chancenkarte application
Abena Mensah, 26, software engineer, Kumasi to Germany
Abena holds a 4-year BSc Computer Science from KNUST (2022). She checks anabin and finds KNUST is H+ at institution level, but her specific degree programme is not listed individually in the comments. She is on Route 2 and needs 6 points.
Her profile: 3 years post-graduation experience as a developer at a Kumasi logistics startup, working with Python, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and Docker. Age 24 at application date. IELTS Academic 7.0 (C1 English). No German.
Points: 1 (shortage occupation) + 2 (2 years qualifying experience) + 2 (age under 35) + 1 (English C1) = 6 points exactly.
Document authentication: Abena obtains an apostille from Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) on her degree certificate and academic transcript. Ghana is a Hague Convention member, so MFARI apostille is the standard authentication.
She applies at the German Embassy Accra, the sole German mission in Ghana. She opens a Sperrkonto with Fintiba (€13,092) two weeks before her appointment.
After arriving in Frankfurt, she works 18 hours per week as a part-time developer at a mid-size agency while conducting full-time interviews. She converts to a Blue Card four months after arrival.
Document checklist (Ghana, Chancenkarte, 2026)
- Valid passport (at least 2 empty pages)
- Biometric passport photograph
- Completed VIDEX application form
- Degree certificate with MFARI apostille
- Academic transcript with MFARI apostille
- anabin printout for your institution and degree, or ZAB Statement of Comparability
- Language certificate: IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or Cambridge for English at B2 or higher; Goethe-Institut, telc, or ÖSD for German
- Experience letters (specific technologies, responsibilities, seniority) and payslips
- Sperrkonto certificate (€13,092) or proof of equivalent financial means
- Travel health insurance for the visa period
Apostille note: Ghana is a Hague Convention member. MFARI is the competent authority. Get the apostille before your appointment. No separate notarisation or legalisation chain is required.
Which German mission handles your application
Germany operates one mission in Ghana: the German Embassy in Accra. All Ghanaian applicants, regardless of city or region, file employment visa applications there. Book via the Consular Services Portal at digital.diplo.de.
Common mistakes
Submitting an HND as the qualifying degree for Route 1. HNDs from Technical Universities are below ISCED level 6. They do not satisfy the degree requirement. An HND holder on Route 2 needs to reach 6 points from other criteria: shortage occupation, experience, language, and age.
No English or German language certificate. WAEC English is a school-leaving credential, not an internationally recognised language test. The Chancenkarte requires a certificate from IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge (for English), or Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD (for German). An English B2 certificate is worth 1 point and is one of the easiest to obtain.
Opening the Sperrkonto too late. Most providers take 1–2 weeks. You need the Sperrkonto certificate before your visa appointment. Apply at least 4 weeks before your appointment slot to leave time for delays.
Assuming the Chancenkarte itself allows you to work full-time. You can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week on average) while on the Chancenkarte. Once you have a full job offer, you convert to a Blue Card or work permit through your local Ausländerbehörde.
When you need a lawyer
Consider one if your anabin check shows your university at H+/- (borderline) or your programme is unlisted, if you are close to the 6-point threshold and a wrong classification could tip you below it, or if you are applying jointly with a spouse and need to establish joint eligibility. Route 2 can have nuanced eligibility questions around what counts as "qualifying experience" for non-traditional roles.
We are not a law firm and this page does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Chancenkarte with an HND?
An HND from a Technical University is classified below ISCED level 6 and does not meet the basic degree requirement. If the only qualification you hold is an HND, you are not eligible for the Chancenkarte unless you can demonstrate partial equivalence through a ZAB decision combined with sufficient points from other criteria. Get a ZAB assessment first.
Does my WAEC English count as an English certificate for the points table?
No. WAEC English is a secondary school qualification and is not accepted as an internationally recognised language certificate. You need IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or a Cambridge B2/C1 certificate for English to be awarded 1 point.
Can I work while on the Chancenkarte?
You can work up to 20 hours per week on average during the 12-month job search period. You can also do trial employment (Probebeschäftigung) of up to 2 weeks per employer. Full-time employment requires converting to a Blue Card or work permit.
How long is the Chancenkarte valid for?
The Chancenkarte is issued for up to 12 months and is not renewable. If you find a qualifying job offer during this period, you convert to the appropriate work permit (Blue Card, Fachkräfte-Aufenthaltstitel, etc.) through your local Ausländerbehörde.
Do I need German for the Chancenkarte?
No. German language ability is not a requirement for the Chancenkarte itself. However, German language skills do earn extra points (1–3 points depending on level), which can help you qualify under Route 2 if you are below 6 points.
Sources
- § 20a AufenthG: Chancenkarte, Bundesministerium der Justiz
- Opportunity Card: Make it in Germany, Federal Government
- anabin database, KMK / ZAB
- German Embassy Accra, Auswärtiges Amt
- HCCH: Ghana and the Apostille Convention, Hague Conference on Private International Law
We are not a law firm. This page provides general information only, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the German Embassy Accra before applying.
See also
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