Opportunity Card in Germany

You want to look for work in Germany, but you do not have a signed offer yet. The fear is spending a year on the wrong permit: blocked from real job search, or stuck without enough points after the embassy appointment.

The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) lets qualified people from non-EU countries enter for up to one year to find employment, without a prior job offer. There are two routes: the direct route if your qualification is already fully recognized in Germany, and the points-based route if you need to score at least 6 points.

Run the official self-check and current rules on Make it in Germany – Job search opportunity card before you book an embassy date.

Direct route or points route

Direct route (no points needed)

If your foreign university degree or vocational qualification is already fully recognized as equivalent to German standards (via anabin.kmk.org or anerkennung-in-deutschland.de), you count as a skilled worker. You bypass the points system and are eligible for the card on that basis.

Points-based route (minimum 6 points)

If your qualification is only recognized in your country of origin, or only partially equivalent in Germany, you must score at least 6 points using the criteria below. Check recognition status first; many people burn weeks on points math when the direct route already applies.

Basics you need before points count

Before the points system helps you, you must meet all of these:

Education. A university degree or a vocational qualification requiring at least 2 years of training, recognized by the state where it was obtained.

Language. Minimum German A1 or English B2 proficiency.

Finances. Proof of at least €13,092 for a 12-month stay, or €1,091 per month if staying for less time (reference amounts for 2025; confirm the current figure on Make it in Germany when you apply). This is typically shown via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or a valid German part-time employment contract.

If funding or language falls short, no points combination fixes the file. Sort those first.

How the points add up

You can combine criteria from different rows until you reach 6 points. Each item counts once toward your total. Items within the same point-value row can normally only be counted once, except German A2 and English C1 language points (see 1-point section).

4 points

• Partial recognition. You have applied for recognition, and a German authority has confirmed you only need minor compensatory measures or training.

3 points (choose one)

• Deep experience. 5 or more years of relevant professional experience within the last 7 years in your field.
• Strong German. German B2 level.

2 points (choose one)

• Mid-level experience. 2 to 5 years of relevant professional experience within the last 5 years.
• Intermediate German. German B1 level.
• Age. You are under 35 years old.

1 point (choose one)

• Age. You are between 35 and 40 years old.
• Shortage occupation. Your qualification is in a high-demand field (for example IT, engineering, medicine).
• German connection. You lived legally and continuously in Germany for at least 6 months within the last 5 years (tourism does not count).
• Partner application. Your spouse is applying for a Chancenkarte at the same time at the same embassy.
• German A2. German A2 level.
• English C1. English C1 or native speaker.

German A2 (1 pt) and English C1 / native (1 pt) are separate criteria under Section 20b AufenthG and can be combined for up to 2 language points.

What you may do while searching

The Chancenkarte lets you work part-time and take trial shifts while you search for a skilled job:

Part-time work. You may work up to 20 hours per week in any job (skilled or unskilled) to support yourself while searching.

Work trials. You may complete unlimited 2-week trial periods (Probearbeiten) with individual prospective employers to test fit.

Not allowed. Full-time regular employment, and self-employment or freelancing on this permit. If freelancing is the plan, you need a different route such as the freelance / self-employment visa.

Converting once you have a job

Once you have an employment contract that meets the legal definition of a skilled position, you do not need to leave Germany. Apply at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to convert your Chancenkarte into a standard employment residence permit, such as Section 18a or 18b under the Skilled Worker Visa pathways, or the EU Blue Card if you qualify.

Not sure this is your route? See Which Visa Do You Need in Germany.