Do you qualify?
Short answer: Nigerian SAP consultants with a recognised university degree (CS, engineering, or business for functional roles) can qualify for the Chancenkarte. The specific route and points depend on whether you are in a technical or functional SAP role.
Critical note on HND: HND from a Nigerian polytechnic does not qualify as a formal degree for the Chancenkarte.
Technical vs functional SAP: which ISCO group applies?
| SAP role type | ISCO-08 group | Shortage occupation point |
|---|---|---|
| ABAP developer / SAP Basis / SAP architect | Group 25 | Yes (1 point) |
| Functional consultant (FI/CO, MM, SD, HR, PP) with ABAP | Group 25 | Yes (1 point) |
| Pure functional consultant (no ABAP) | Group 242 | Not a shortage occupation |
If your role is classified under group 242 (pure functional), you do not receive the shortage occupation point. You still qualify for the Chancenkarte if you reach 6 points via other criteria.
Which degrees qualify?
For technical SAP (group 25):
- B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Eng. Computer Engineering, B.Sc. Information Technology
For functional SAP (group 242):
- B.Sc. Accounting, B.Com, B.Sc. Economics (for FI/CO, MM, SD roles)
- B.Sc. Business Administration
- B.Eng. Industrial Engineering (for PP/MM roles)
- B.Sc. CS (also qualifies)
Check your institution at anabin.kmk.org.
Route 2: calculating your points
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Partial equivalence of your qualification | 4 |
| Shortage occupation (technical SAP only — 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 at A2 / B1 / B2+ | 1 / 2 / 3 |
| English at C1 (with certificate) | 1 |
| Age under 35 | 2 |
| Age 35–39 | 1 |
Worked examples for Nigerian SAP consultants:
Profile A — B.Sc. CS from H+/- university (programme unlisted), ABAP developer, 3 years experience, age 28, English C1: 1 (shortage) + 2 (experience) + 2 (age) + 1 (English) = 6 points ✓
Profile B — B.Com from UNILAG (H+ listed, fully recognised), functional FI/CO consultant, 5 years experience, age 32, German A2 + English C1: No shortage point (group 242) + 3 (5-yr exp) + 1 (age 35–39: N/A, age 32 → 2) + 1 (German A2) + 1 (English) = 7 points ✓
Profile C — HND in Computer Science, SAP ABAP, 4 years experience: Does not qualify — HND is not a qualifying formal credential.
German language bonus for SAP consultants: A German language certificate (B1+) significantly improves employability during the job-search period. Many German SAP clients require at least basic German for client-facing roles. Use the Chancenkarte period to both job-search and advance your German language level.
Financial requirement
€13,092 in a Sperrkonto (€1,091 × 12 months, 2026).
Document checklist (Nigeria, 2026)
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate — with apostille (since 24 September 2024)
- Academic transcript — with apostille
- NYSC Discharge Certificate or exemption
- anabin printout — or ZAB Statement of Comparability
- Language certificate
- Experience letters: SAP modules (ABAP, S/4HANA, FI/CO, MM, SD, SAP BTP), project scope, client industry, technical vs functional breakdown — plus payslips and TCC
- SAP certifications (supplementary — listed on CV)
- Sperrkonto certificate (€13,092)
Sources
- § 20a AufenthG and § 20b AufenthG
- anabin database — KMK / ZAB
- German Embassy Abuja / Consulate General Lagos
We are not a law firm. This page provides general information only, not legal advice.