German Chance Card (Chancenkarte)

Use your professional skills to immigrate to Germany

Your advantages

• Search and apply directly for jobs in Germany
• Integrate quickly into the German labor market
• Find jobs that match your skills

Calculate your chances now

What is the German Chance Card?

The German Opportunity Card is also known as Chancenkarte. It is a new visa program designed to attract talented individuals from all over the world. It allows you to enter Germany without a prior job offer, and gives you up to one year to look for work.

The card is awarded on the basis of a points system that assesses qualifications, work experience, language skills, age and other factors. The programme offers flexibility, recognises foreign qualifications and offers the possibility of part-time work and a pathway to residency. Whether you are an engineer, IT professional or healthcare professional, the Opportunity Card is designed to empower your aspirations and enable you to forge a rewarding career in one of the world’s leading economies.

Benefits for you:

• Enter Germany without a job offer and spend up to one year searching for the perfect job that matches your skills.
• Get your foreign qualifications recognised, making it easier for you to find a job and integrate.
• Work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while looking for full-time work.
• Possibility of moving to permanent residence after finding a job.
• Test jobs for two weeks, unlimited times, to find the right fit.

Basic requirements for your Chancenkarte card application

To apply for a German Opportunity Card, you must meet some basic requirements:

• Qualifications : You need a recognised qualification, such as a university degree or vocational training (minimum two years).
• Language : You must be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of German (level A1 or higher) or English (level B2 or higher).
• Financial support : You must be able to support yourself financially during your stay in Germany and need valid health insurance coverage.
• Evaluation : You must obtain at least 6 points based on different criteria. The Chancenkarte points system in Germany evaluates your qualifications, work experience, language skills, age, previous stays in the country and potential job offers.

Fulfilling these requirements ensures that you are well prepared to find work and successfully integrate into German society.

German Chance Card: How to Earn Points

You are immediately eligible to apply for a Chancenkarte if you hold a foreign professional or academic degree that is fully recognised in Germany, or if you obtained your university degree or vocational training in Germany.

Otherwise, you must accumulate at least 6 points to qualify for the Chance Card. Check the following criteria and add the points awarded to them.

Get 4 points if:

• You have already applied for recognition of your foreign qualification and the partial equivalence has been confirmed by the German authorities.

Get 3 points if:

• You have a German language proficiency level of B2 or higher
  or
• You have five years of professional experience within the past seven years.

Get 2 points if:

• You are under 35 years of age
  or
• You have a German language proficiency of B1 level
  or
• You have two years of professional experience in the last five years.

Get 1 point if:

• You are between 36 and 40 years old
  or
• You can prove that you have resided legally and continuously in Germany for at least six months over the past five years (excluding stays related to tourism)
  or
• You have a good command of German at level A2
  or
• English language proficiency at level C1
  or
• Does your husband meet the requirements for the Opportunity Card
  or
• Your qualifying skills belong to an in-demand occupation (“bottleneck occupation”).

Calculate your personal score

Good to know: The basic 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 points or more, you can apply for a Chancenkarte.

There is no competitive advantage based on the number of points exceeding the minimum requirements. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the German Opportunity Card

How can I apply for the German Chance Card/Chancekarte?

As of June 1, 2024, you can submit your application at the German embassy or consulate in your country of origin, or at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).

Make sure you have all the necessary documents, including proof of:
- qualifications,
- language skills
, - financial means
, - health insurance.

You must also submit a completed and signed application form.

How much is the application fee?

The visa fee for the German Opportunity Card is 75 Euros (paid in your local currency at the current exchange rate).

How do I prove that I have the required financial capabilities?

You must prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members in Germany, if possible, without relying on public funds from Germany.

For this, you must prove financial means of at least 1027 euros per month in a blocked account. Alternatively, you can show an employment contract for part-time work. Given the minimum wage in Germany, this employment contract should be sufficient to prove financial means.

Under certain circumstances, a formal commitment (Verpflichtungseerklärung) signed by a person living in Germany (the sponsor) may be accepted as proof of financial means.

My Opportunity Card has been approved – what should I do next?

1. Travelling to Germany : Use your Opportunity Card to enter Germany. Make sure you have all the necessary documents, including your passport, proof of qualifications, proof of financial means, and health insurance.
2. Register your place of residence : Within two weeks of your arrival, register your address at the Residents Registration Office (Bürgeramt).
3. Find a job : Actively search for jobs that match your qualifications. You can use job portals, attend job fairs, and network with potential employers.
4. Trial Work : Take the opportunity to participate in trial work for up to two weeks, several times, to find a suitable job.
5. Part-time work : You are allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while looking for full-time work.
6. Apply for a residence permit : Once you have a job, apply for a residence permit at the local foreigners' authority to extend your stay in Germany and continue working.

How long is the German Opportunity Card valid?

The German Chance Card is initially valid for one year. During this period, you can look for a job and work part-time (up to 20 hours per week). The one-year validity period of the Chance Card (Chancenkarte) usually starts from the date of entry into Germany, not from the date the visa is issued or stamped.

What happens after I find a job?

Your new employer may be able to help and support you in the process of obtaining a work permit, but your primary responsibility is to ensure that you have the right documents and permits to work legally in Germany. Contact the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) to inform them that you have been offered a job. You will need to apply for a residence permit. This will allow you to stay in Germany after the first year of your opportunity card and continue to work legally. The type of residence permit you need may vary depending on your job and qualifications. You may need to attend an appointment or interview with the immigration authorities. Your employer can help you prepare by ensuring that all documents relating to your job are accurate and complete. Once your residence permit is approved, you can continue to work in Germany under your new status. This permit is usually issued for a longer period of time and may be renewable, depending on your employment status. With a residence permit, you have access to various benefits and services in Germany, including social security and health care. After a certain period of continuous residence and meeting certain criteria, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence or even German citizenship.

What if the opportunity card expires?

If your opportunity card is about to expire and you have not found a job, you have 3 options:

1. Leaving Germany: If you are unable to find work, you will have to leave the country because you no longer meet the criteria to stay under the Opportunity Card.
2. Renewal: If you have a job or are in the process of converting your visa, apply for an extension before the card expires. To do this, submit your employment contract and other necessary documents to the Immigration Office.
3. Returning later: If you leave Germany without finding work, you can reapply for an opportunity card or another visa in the future if your circumstances change and you meet the requirements. 

Can I work in other EU countries as an Opportunity Card holder?

No, the Opportunity Card is limited to Germany and does not automatically give you the right to work in other EU countries. If you want to work in other EU countries, you must apply for a separate work permit and residence permit there. However, there are several EU regulations that make it easier to work in other EU countries, especially if you have already worked or lived in another EU country.

If my spouse and I are eligible for the Opportunity Card, do we need separate blocked accounts?

This depends on each individual case. It may be possible to use one account, but you will have to check this with the German embassy or consulate in your country.

Is a blocked account necessary to get a chance card appointment?

It depends on the situation, in cases where you do not have a letter of sponsorship or a part-time job offer, you will most likely need a blocked account. However, please contact the German embassy or consulate in your country to confirm.