How the Eligibility Check Works

Each Germany visa category has a defined set of requirements set out in the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act). This checker maps your answers to those specific requirements, weights each by how critical it is to the visa decision, and produces a readiness score from 0 to 100.

A score of 80 or above means you currently appear to meet the main requirements for that visa type. Below 60 means there are material gaps that should be addressed before applying. Critical requirements (marked in red) carry the highest weight: failing one critical requirement typically prevents the visa regardless of how well other criteria are met.

What Each Visa Requires at a Glance

Student Visa (Section 16b)

Five requirements: admission letter from a recognised German university, financial proof (Sperrkonto funded with EUR 11,904 or equivalent), health insurance for the study period, academic qualification sufficient for admission, and a language certificate matching the programme language. The most commonly failed are the Sperrkonto (not yet funded) and the language certificate (wrong level or missing).

Chancenkarte (Section 20a)

Minimum 6 points across five criteria: qualification (up to 3 pts), work experience (up to 2 pts), language (up to 3 pts), age (up to 2 pts), and bonus criteria (up to 2 pts). Financial proof of EUR 1,027 per month for 12 months. No job offer needed. The most commonly failed requirement for Nigerians is the language criterion: English alone scores 1 to 2 pts, but German gets you to 3 pts.

EU Blue Card (Section 18g)

Three hard gates: a university degree recognised in Germany (anabin H+ or Comparability Statement), a confirmed employment contract, and a salary at or above the annual threshold (EUR 43,992 general; EUR 39,682.80 for shortage occupations). Missing any one of these three prevents the Blue Card. German language is not required for the visa but determines how fast you can reach permanent residence.

Skilled Work Visa (Section 18)

A confirmed employment contract from a German employer, a qualifying degree or recognised vocational training, and the qualification recognised or assessed. No salary minimum. No German language requirement at application stage. The most common failure is qualification recognition: H+/- institutions without a Comparability Statement create delays.

Schengen Short Stay (Type C)

Financial means (bank statements showing adequate funds), return flight booking, confirmed accommodation, health insurance covering EUR 30,000 minimum across the Schengen area, and demonstrated ties to Nigeria that make return credible. The ties to Nigeria criterion is the most common failure for Nigerian applicants.

Family Reunification (Sections 27-36)

The sponsor in Germany must hold a qualifying permit or German citizenship, must have adequate income to support the applicant, and must have adequate accommodation. The applicant typically needs A1 German if joining a German citizen spouse. Civil marriage certificate (apostilled) is required. Church certificates alone are not sufficient.

Table of Truth: Typical Readiness Scores by Profile

Why This Check Is Different from the Visa Option Finder

The DeyWithMe Visa Option Finder answers “which visa should I apply for?” This Eligibility Checker answers “do I currently meet the requirements for the visa I’ve already chosen?” They serve different stages of the same journey. The Option Finder is for someone still deciding. This checker is for someone who has decided and wants to know: am I ready to apply right now, or do I need to wait and fix something first?

Realistic Scenarios

Student visa applicant, most documents ready, Sperrkonto not yet funded

This applicant scores around 60 to 70 on the eligibility check because the financial proof requirement fails. Everything else is in place: admission letter, health insurance, language certificate. The fix is straightforward: fund the blocked account and wait for the confirmation letter from Fintiba or Expatrio. This typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Once done, the score jumps to 90 to 100 and the application is ready.

Chancenkarte applicant with a 5-point score, 1 point short

This is one of the most common situations. The applicant has: BSc (3 pts) + 1 to 4 years experience (1 pt) + English C1 (2 pts) = 6 pts already, but if age is over 35 they only get 1 age point, dropping to 5 total. The fix depends on which criterion is dragging the score: for an older applicant, getting German to B1 (adding 1 pt by replacing the English score with German score, or stacking) can close the gap. The Chancenkarte Points Calculator gives the exact figure.

Schengen applicant with no formal employment documentation

A 28-year-old freelance graphic designer applying for a Schengen visa with strong bank statements but no formal employment letter or business registration. The eligibility check flags the ties-to-Nigeria criterion as a partial fail. The fix: register the business (CAC/SCUML if applicable), get a business bank statement showing regular local income, and write a clear cover letter explaining Nigerian business commitments. Adding a confirmed return flight and hotel booking covers the other criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I score 100 percent on the eligibility check?

A 100 percent score means your current profile meets all the criteria this tool checks. It does not guarantee visa approval. Consular officers have discretion, documentation quality matters, and some requirements (like the quality of a motivation letter) cannot be scored by a tool. Use a 100 percent score as a signal that you can proceed to preparing and submitting your application, not as a guarantee of the outcome.

Can I use this check for multiple visas at once?

This tool checks one visa at a time. If you are not sure which visa to apply for, use the DeyWithMe Germany Visa Option Finder first to identify your best-fit pathway, then come back to this checker to evaluate your readiness for that specific visa.

How is this different from the Visa Refusal Risk Checker?

The Refusal Risk Checker is for people who have already been refused and want to understand what went wrong. This Eligibility Quick-Check is for people who have not yet applied and want to know how ready they are before they submit. Use this tool before applying; use the Refusal Checker after a refusal.

What if my situation does not match any option perfectly?

Select the closest matching option and note any specific variations in your actual situation. For complex or borderline profiles, this tool provides a reasonable approximation. For individual certainty, consult the German embassy Nigeria’s official checklist at nigeria.diplo.de or a qualified German immigration lawyer.