Chancenkarte
Opportunity Card Germany (Chancenkarte)
Your advantages
- Search and apply for jobs directly in Germany
- Integrate quickly into the German labor market
- Find jobs that match your skills
What is the German Opportunity Card?
The German Opportunity Card is also known as Chancenkarte. This is a new visa program designed to attract talented individuals from around the world. It allows you to enter Germany without a prearranged job offer, granting you up to one year to search for employment.
The Opportunity Card offers two paths to work in Germany:
1. Skilled Worker route
2. Points-Based system
Skilled Workers have recognized qualifications, while others can qualify through points earned for experience, language skills, age, and more. Both options require proof of funds and Health Insurance. Whether you're in engineering, IT, or healthcare, the Opportunity Card can help you launch your career in Germany.
Benefits for you:
- Enter Germany without a job offer and spend up to one year finding the perfect position that matches your skills.
- Get your foreign qualifications acknowledged, simplifying your job search and integration.
- Work part-time up to 20 hours per week while searching for full-time employment.
- Potential to transition to permanent residency after finding a job.
- Engage in trial jobs for two weeks, an unlimited number of times, to find the right fit.
Skilled Worker (Option 1) Requirements
The Skilled Worker route is for people who already have a professional qualification (university degree or vocational training) obtained or recognized in Germany.
- Proof of full recognition of your qualification: There are different options to have your professional qualification approved:
- Foreign University degree recognition (printouts of your university and degree from the Anabin Database)
- Statement of Comparability completed by the 'Central Office for Foreign Education' (ZAB)
- Recognition for vocational training (Anerkennung in Deutschland)
- Vocational training qualification from Germany
- University degree from a German University
- Proof of Funds: You need to show you can support yourself financially during your stay (e.g. Blocked Account, Letter of Guarantee, or Part-Time Contract).
- Health Insurance Coverage: Coverage for the duration of your stay is required.
Note: For the Skilled Worker option, you don’t need proof of language skills.
Point System (Option 2) Requirements
To apply for the German Opportunity Card using the point system, you must meet certain key requirements.
- Qualification: You need a recognized qualification, such as a university degree or vocational training (minimum 2 years).
- Language: You should be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of German (A1 level or above) or English (B2 level or higher).
- Proof of Funds: You need to show you can support yourself during your stay (e.g. Blocked Account, Letter of Guarantee, or Part-Time Contract.
- Health Insurance Coverage: Coverage for the duration of your stay is required.
- Scoring: You must earn a minimum number of 6 points based on various criteria. The Chancenkarte points system evaluates your qualifications, work experience, language skills, age, and previous stays in Germany.
Meeting these requirements ensures that you are well-prepared to find employment and successfully integrate into German society.
Germany Opportunity Card: How to earn points
You are immediately eligible to apply for the Chancenkarte if you hold a foreign professional or academic degree that is fully recognized in Germany, or if you received your university degree or vocational training in Germany.
Otherwise, you need to accumulate at least 6 points to qualify for the Opportunity Card. Check the following criteria and add up the points awarded for them.
Earn 4 points if:
- You have already applied for the recognition of your foreign qualification and partial equivalence has been confirmed by German authorities
Earn 3 points if:
- You are proficient in German at level B2 or above
or - You have five years of professional experience within the last seven years
Earn 2 points if:
- You are under the age of 35
or - You are proficient in German at level B1
or - You have two years of professional experience in the last five years
Earn 1 point if:
- You are between 36 and 40 years old
or - You can prove that you have resided legally and for an uninterrupted period of at least six months in Germany over the last five years (excluding tourism-related stays)
or - You are proficient in German at level A2
or - English proficiency at the C1 level
or - Your spouse meets the requirements for the Opportunity Card
or - Your qualified skills belong to a profession in demand ("bottleneck profession")
Good to know: The key requirement is to reach at least 6 points. Once this number of points is met, all applicants are considered eligible.
As long as you have 6 or more points, you can apply for the Chancenkarte.
There is no competitive disadvantage based on the number of points beyond meeting the minimum requirement.