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Wendy has dreamt of relocating to Germany for the longest time, so when she heard about the country’s new skilled worker visa, it felt like fate. In this story, she shares how she got the visa with only €700 and plans to study for free in her new country.
When do you leave Nigeria, and where do you live now?
I left Nigeria in January 2025, and I currently live in Germany.
Japa class of ’25, congratulations! How did the big move happen?
I moved through the new opportunity card in Germany. It’s a German visa that allows non-EU citizens to stay in Germany for up to one year to look for qualified employment. It’s a recently launched relocation route, so many people don’t know about it.
That’s interesting
The visa’s purpose is to attract skilled workers to Germany. It allows you to come in without a job, seek employment, and work in the country.
Relocating to Germany has always been at the top of my mind, but I knew I didn’t want to move through the study visa because it can take up to two years to get that from Nigeria. The opportunity card was just what I needed, so I decided to jump on it when I came across it.
Can you walk me through the process of getting the visa?
The process was surprisingly easy. The first thing you need to have is a skill that can be proven with paperwork. You’ll also need certain documents to apply, the first of which is your passport
I mentioned earlier that you’ll need to prove your skills with some paperwork, right? I used my BSc as my proof. If you don’t have a BSc, you can also apply using your HND. From what I’ve learned, even artisans who have undergone vocational training can apply, provided they have some paperwork to prove the skills they’ve learned.
Apart from providing proof of your skill, you’ll need proof of funds to confirm that you can support yourself throughout your one-year stay. If you have friends or family in Germany, you can use a sponsorship letter instead; that’s what I did. After doing the things I mentioned, you have to cover the cost of your health insurance. Everything regarding the application can be done online.
Are there particular skills the German immigration process prioritises for this visa?
From what I’ve learned, they prioritise all types of skills. Germany is a country that is heavy on bureaucracy, so it loves paperwork. You just need to be able to submit proof of qualification. Even if you are a stylist and went to a vocational school for it, you only need to show them that you’ve acquired that skill.
So, what happens when the one-year validity expires?
You can choose to remain in the country in a couple of ways. I have plans to advance my studies. I’m starting a new program in September, so I can stay back as a student. You can also find a permanent job here since the visa allows it. I’m choosing to return to school because it’s free if you can speak German.
Can you speak German?
Remember how I said Germany has been on my mind for a while? Knowing that I’d eventually move to the country motivated me to learn the language before leaving Nigeria. I wouldn’t advise anybody to come here hoping to learn German within a year because it is not that simple. You should start learning before you even leave Nigeria. Some people take Germany off their relocation list because they don’t want to learn the language, which is an interesting choice. It is not the easiest language, but it is completely learnable.
Can you give me the cost breakdown for this visa?
The proof of funds is the most expensive part of the process, and it’s about €12,000. Every other thing is relatively affordable. The application fee is €75, and the health insurance charge is 380 euros. You’ll also need to pay about €208 for your proof of qualification to be recognised.
Everything costs about €700 without the proof of funds. The good thing is you won’t need proof of funds if you can get the sponsorship letter. It’s very easy to process the letter, provided you have someone willing to go to the German immigration office to help you get one. It’s also a cheap process.
What’s it like living in Germany?
It’s different, but I’m adjusting. There’s a big Nigerian community here, so that’s comforting. But I miss my friends back in Nigeria. Germany is also really cold, and the people here are very reserved and quiet. I’m used to speaking loudly, so it’s been a bit difficult to adjust. Thankfully, I had a soft landing in the country. I have family here, so I didn’t need to go through the hassle of finding a place to stay.
Love that for you! Is Germany somewhere you’d recommend to Nigerians?
Totally, but the problem is that Nigerians can be close-minded, and you can’t thrive here with that mindset. If you’re open to learning German, you’ll love it here. Even my friends in the United Kingdom and Canada wish they could move here.
What are the perks of living in Germany?
The healthcare system is solid. I came to Germany with an allergy that started in Nigeria. I would typically spend ₦600,000 to get it treated, and still have to wait for hours to see a doctor. But here, the doctor was willing to work with my schedule, and it was practically free. As I mentioned earlier, education is also world-class and free.
You’ve talked about learning German a few times. What’s the difficulty level?
Some people would say it’s challenging, but I disagree. I started learning it during my final year in university; I wasn’t consistent with the learning process, but I was still able to speak basic German regardless.
If you’re serious about the language, I don’t recommend learning with Duolingo. You’re better off getting textbooks from Amazon and starting with the basic level ones. If you’re consistent and determined enough, you should be able to converse in basic German within a year. And it will be worth it when you finally move here.
I speak more extensively about this on my TikTok, and I share some tips for people who are hoping to learn.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Germany?
Five or six. I think that’s because I’m still settling in, and I still miss my life in Nigeria. Maybe when I make more friends here and secure a good job, I’ll be happier.
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